https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from Austria in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed If you plan on travelling, you might wonder if you can use your Austrian e-card or public health insurance abroad. Here's what you need to know. https://www.thelocal.at/20240514/will-my-austrian-health-insurance-pay-for-medical-expenses-abroad Tue, 14 May 2024 15:47:19 +0200 will-my-austrian-health-insurance-pay-for-medical-expenses-abroad Austria’s public health insurer ÖGK is expected to save €23.3 million this year and €34.4 million a year from 2027 through recently introduced cuts, according to figures from the Health Ministry. https://www.thelocal.at/20260506/austrian-public-health-insurer-to-save-e34-million-a-year-with-cuts Wed, 06 May 2026 12:30:17 +0200 austrian-public-health-insurer-to-save-e34-million-a-year-with-cuts Tick season has arrived in Austria, bringing increased risk of serious illnesses like TBE and Lyme disease. Here’s how to protect yourself, your children and your pets. https://www.thelocal.at/20250422/tick-season-in-austria-how-to-protect-yourself-from-tbe-and-lyme-disease Tue, 22 Apr 2025 12:19:12 +0200 tick-season-in-austria-how-to-protect-yourself-from-tbe-and-lyme-disease In Austria, one in every six people suffers from allergies, with pollen allergies being the most common form. Here is everything you need to know about them. https://www.thelocal.at/20240408/where-in-austria-are-pollen-levels-the-highest Mon, 08 Apr 2024 13:58:45 +0200 where-in-austria-are-pollen-levels-the-highest Investigators in Austria are now assessing what the poison dose could have meant for a child. Police are also widening efforts to find the missing jar https://www.thelocal.at/20260424/how-to-spot-tampered-hipp-baby-food-jars-in-austria-as-burgenland-search-continues Fri, 24 Apr 2026 12:46:39 +0200 how-to-spot-tampered-hipp-baby-food-jars-in-austria-as-burgenland-search-continues Finding the right doctor in Austria can make a world of difference, but what happens if you want to switch? Here's how it works if you're insured with ÖGK. https://www.thelocal.at/20250404/can-i-switch-doctors-with-my-public-insurance-in-austria Fri, 04 Apr 2025 15:15:28 +0200 can-i-switch-doctors-with-my-public-insurance-in-austria If you're looking to breathe in fresh mountain air, bathe in mineral waters or enjoy sauna culture, check out one of Austria's healing spa towns or 'Kurorte'. https://www.thelocal.at/20260407/wellness-austrias-best-kur-towns-and-why-you-should-visit Tue, 07 Apr 2026 16:24:06 +0200 wellness-austrias-best-kur-towns-and-why-you-should-visit The Hipp baby food case in Austria now includes a reported €2m threat and more retailers pulling products. What is confirmed so far, and what is not https://www.thelocal.at/20260420/police-confirm-austrias-baby-food-tampering-case-linked-to-e-2-million-extortion-attempt Mon, 20 Apr 2026 15:41:07 +0200 police-confirm-austrias-baby-food-tampering-case-linked-to-e-2-million-extortion-attempt Austria’s Hipp baby food recall has escalated after one jar tested positive for rat poison. Police say at least one more suspicious jar may still be out there https://www.thelocal.at/20260420/hipp-baby-food-inquiry-spread-across-four-countries-after-rat-poison-find-in-austria Mon, 20 Apr 2026 12:17:00 +0200 hipp-baby-food-inquiry-spread-across-four-countries-after-rat-poison-find-in-austria A jar of Hipp baby food sold in Austria tested positive for rat poison after a nationwide recall that has already led Spar to pull the entire Hipp range from its shelves. A second jar is being tested for contamination. https://www.thelocal.at/20260418/austria-spar-recalls-all-hipp-baby-food-jars-after-tampering-warning Sat, 18 Apr 2026 11:56:34 +0200 austria-spar-recalls-all-hipp-baby-food-jars-after-tampering-warning From sudden flu to hospital stays, Austrian labour law ensures parents can take time off to care for a sick child (or another relative) without losing income or risking their job. https://www.thelocal.at/20251023/working-in-austria-can-i-take-paid-time-off-to-care-for-my-sick-child Thu, 23 Oct 2025 13:40:49 +0200 working-in-austria-can-i-take-paid-time-off-to-care-for-my-sick-child Life expectancy data reveals that people are living longer in Europe on average, but major differences in gender and geography remain. https://www.thelocal.at/20260315/where-in-europe-are-people-likely-to-live-longer Sun, 15 Mar 2026 15:20:07 +0100 where-in-europe-are-people-likely-to-live-longer Environmental pollution is linked to several mental health disorders in Europe, the European Environment Agency (EEA) has warned, arguing that enforcing legislation would result in Europeans being both less depressed and less anxious. https://www.thelocal.at/20260305/pollution-exposure-in-europe-linked-to-mental-health-problems Thu, 05 Mar 2026 14:10:55 +0100 pollution-exposure-in-europe-linked-to-mental-health-problems Two men have died in Vienna after exposure to freezing temperatures. Caritas says the cases show why using Austria’s winter cold lines can be crucial. https://www.thelocal.at/20260115/what-is-the-cold-line-in-austria-and-how-can-it-save-lives Thu, 15 Jan 2026 16:12:53 +0100 what-is-the-cold-line-in-austria-and-how-can-it-save-lives It’s that time of year again when many of us will be coughing and blowing our noses. If you're feeling a bit under the weather, here are the German words you'll need and some tips on what to do. https://www.thelocal.at/20221004/colds-and-flu-what-to-do-and-say-if-you-get-sick-in-austria Tue, 04 Oct 2022 12:57:34 +0200 colds-and-flu-what-to-do-and-say-if-you-get-sick-in-austria If you've caught a cold or something nastier like the flu, you may need to take time off work. Do you need to submit a sick note to your employer in Austria on the first day of illness? https://www.thelocal.at/20251219/do-you-need-a-sick-note-on-your-first-day-off-in-austria Fri, 19 Dec 2025 12:12:42 +0100 do-you-need-a-sick-note-on-your-first-day-off-in-austria French food giant Danone recalled batches of infant formula in Britain, Spain, Croatia and Slovenia over the possible presence of a toxin, food safety authorities said on Friday, expanding the measure across Europe. https://www.thelocal.at/20260206/danone-recalls-baby-formula-in-several-european-countries Fri, 06 Feb 2026 11:48:47 +0100 danone-recalls-baby-formula-in-several-european-countries Austria’s food safety agency AGES has issued a warning over specific Aptamil and Milumil batches. Parents are being told not to use the affected products. https://www.thelocal.at/20260206/more-recalls-how-to-check-if-your-danone-baby-formula-is-recalled-in-austria Fri, 06 Feb 2026 08:37:57 +0100 more-recalls-how-to-check-if-your-danone-baby-formula-is-recalled-in-austria Drug injections for weight loss have been touted as miracles by the many celebrities who have used them – but they can also be extremely expensive. Does Austria's public health insurance cover this type of medication? https://www.thelocal.at/20260119/does-austrian-health-insurance-cover-weight-loss-medications Mon, 19 Jan 2026 12:58:26 +0100 does-austrian-health-insurance-cover-weight-loss-medications Austria’s winter landscapes offer the perfect backdrop for outdoor exercise, but cold temperatures pose unique challenges. Here's how to stay fit and enjoy the season with these essential winter workout tips. https://www.thelocal.at/20250109/essential-tips-for-staying-safe-and-active-during-austrias-winter-months Thu, 09 Jan 2025 12:16:59 +0100 essential-tips-for-staying-safe-and-active-during-austrias-winter-months