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 The ID Austria is the digital identification for anyone with ties to the Alpine country. The Local Austria's Amanda Previdelli shares how it was that she found out (almost too late) hers was expiring and how surprisingly nice (even pleasant?) the renewal process was. https://www.thelocal.at/20260425/inside-austria-renewing-my-id-austria-was-easier-than-i-thought Sat, 25 Apr 2026 13:56:47 +0200 inside-austria-renewing-my-id-austria-was-easier-than-i-thought Whether it be confirming appointments in writing or bringing cash along, The Local Austria's editor Amanda Previdelli explains how you can avoid mistakes when seeing an Austrian doctor. https://www.thelocal.at/20260124/inside-austria-how-to-avoid-the-mistakes-i-made-when-going-to-an-austrian-doctor Sat, 24 Jan 2026 10:16:21 +0100 inside-austria-how-to-avoid-the-mistakes-i-made-when-going-to-an-austrian-doctor Vienna kindergartens teach your child the local way fast, but they also make you feel like a new arrival all over again, writes The Local Austria editor Amanda Previdelli https://www.thelocal.at/20260411/inside-austria-no-one-prepares-you-for-austrian-kindergarten Sat, 11 Apr 2026 10:11:51 +0200 inside-austria-no-one-prepares-you-for-austrian-kindergarten If you are heading to that long overdue family visit soon, here are the tips for the best and easy “Austria” gifts that The Local Austria's Amanda Previdelli deems worthy of crossing seas and oceans with. https://www.thelocal.at/20260214/inside-austria-the-best-gifts-to-bring-to-friends-and-family-when-you-are-visiting-home Sat, 14 Feb 2026 10:04:58 +0100 inside-austria-the-best-gifts-to-bring-to-friends-and-family-when-you-are-visiting-home If you're running out of ideas on what to do in Vienna during these cold days, The Local Austria's editor Amanda Previdelli has a couple of suggestions that are great for grown-ups too. https://www.thelocal.at/20260207/inside-austria-where-to-go-in-vienna-with-kids-when-its-too-cold-to-be-outside Sat, 07 Feb 2026 10:11:53 +0100 inside-austria-where-to-go-in-vienna-with-kids-when-its-too-cold-to-be-outside Austria’s Semesterferien are not a public holiday, but the country still feels different for a week in February. For working parents, especially foreign residents without family help, it can be a logistical hell, writes The Local Austria's Amanda Previdelli https://www.thelocal.at/20260131/inside-austria-semesterferien-and-why-they-can-be-a-nightmare-for-working-parents Sat, 31 Jan 2026 10:17:43 +0100 inside-austria-semesterferien-and-why-they-can-be-a-nightmare-for-working-parents Austrian bureaucracy regularly throws up obstacles for foreigners living in the country and editor Amanda Previdelli recalls some of the more memorable things she's seen or experienced over the years. Share your own stories below. https://www.thelocal.at/20260117/inside-austria-the-most-outrageous-things-ive-seen-happening-in-austrian-bureaucracy Sat, 17 Jan 2026 10:16:08 +0100 inside-austria-the-most-outrageous-things-ive-seen-happening-in-austrian-bureaucracy Austria has been hit by some extreme wintery weather and whilst many foreign residents are shivering, Austrians seem generally unfazed. The Local Austria's editor Amanda Previdelli explains how you can take a tip from the locals and enjoy the cold. https://www.thelocal.at/20260110/inside-austria-what-austrians-can-teach-you-about-living-in-cold-weather Sat, 10 Jan 2026 10:15:31 +0100 inside-austria-what-austrians-can-teach-you-about-living-in-cold-weather Learning to eat like Austrians means letting go of old rituals and discovering new ways to feel at home, as The Local's Amanda Previdelli explains in this week's Inside Austria. https://www.thelocal.at/20251220/inside-austria-the-bizarre-austrian-dinner-habit-i-resisted-for-years-but-now-love Sat, 20 Dec 2025 10:04:14 +0100 inside-austria-the-bizarre-austrian-dinner-habit-i-resisted-for-years-but-now-love Vienna’s Christmas markets are magical but often packed, and knowing when and where to go can completely change the experience in Austria’s capital. Here are some of our editor's best tips to making the most out of your visit. https://www.thelocal.at/20251213/inside-austria-how-to-make-the-most-of-viennas-christmas-markets-this-year Sat, 13 Dec 2025 11:33:02 +0100 inside-austria-how-to-make-the-most-of-viennas-christmas-markets-this-year Winter in Austria can be a tough time for many and seasonal depression can hit hard. But The Local Austria's editor Amanda Previdelli says once you start embracing Austrian seasonal traditions, then the days no longer seem so grey or the season so long - well until January. https://www.thelocal.at/20251206/inside-austria-how-austrian-christmas-traditions-helped-me-survive-winter Sat, 06 Dec 2025 11:09:38 +0100 inside-austria-how-austrian-christmas-traditions-helped-me-survive-winter From cash-only cafés to bills arriving by post, Austria’s devotion to the old offline world is charming… until it isn’t. The Local Austria's editor Amanda Previdelli explains what it's like living in a country so attached to cash, paper trail and privacy. https://www.thelocal.at/20251129/inside-austria-why-are-austrians-still-devoted-to-the-old-world-of-cash-and-paper-bills Sat, 29 Nov 2025 11:15:41 +0100 inside-austria-why-are-austrians-still-devoted-to-the-old-world-of-cash-and-paper-bills In Austria, English proficiency is high, but the willingness to use it seems low. From doctors to daily chats, why do the locals seem so reluctant to speak the language they are apparently so good at? https://www.thelocal.at/20251122/inside-austria-why-does-it-feel-like-nobody-likes-to-speak-english-in-austria Sat, 22 Nov 2025 11:15:36 +0100 inside-austria-why-does-it-feel-like-nobody-likes-to-speak-english-in-austria In this week’s Inside Austria we look at how Austria comes to a near standstill during the summer months, and practical tips to survive the nationwide holiday shutdown. https://www.thelocal.at/20250712/inside-austria-why-the-country-slows-down-for-summer-and-how-to-prepare Sat, 12 Jul 2025 11:55:44 +0200 inside-austria-why-the-country-slows-down-for-summer-and-how-to-prepare In this week’s Inside Austria we look at whether Austria’s power supply can cope with the summer heat, and the most affordable outdoor pools to visit as temperatures soar. https://www.thelocal.at/20250705/inside-austria-heatwave-impact-on-power-supply-and-cheapest-pools-to-cool-off Sat, 05 Jul 2025 11:21:01 +0200 inside-austria-heatwave-impact-on-power-supply-and-cheapest-pools-to-cool-off In this week’s Inside Austria we look at how Austria’s homes and offices are coping with extreme heat, and what you should pack in your travel first-aid kit this summer. https://www.thelocal.at/20250628/inside-austria-heatwave-challenges-and-your-travel-health-checklist Sat, 28 Jun 2025 12:55:01 +0200 inside-austria-heatwave-challenges-and-your-travel-health-checklist In this week’s Inside Austria we look at the favourite summer destinations for Austrian holidaymakers, and why open-air cinema is one of Vienna’s best seasonal traditions. https://www.thelocal.at/20250621/inside-austria-where-the-locals-holiday-and-viennas-summer-cinemas-return Sat, 21 Jun 2025 14:49:56 +0200 inside-austria-where-the-locals-holiday-and-viennas-summer-cinemas-return This week’s Inside Austria explores how Austria is grappling with the school shooting in Graz — from calls for reform to far-right attempts to twist the narrative. Plus, what else made headlines across the country. https://www.thelocal.at/20250614/inside-austria-austria-mourns-and-the-far-right-blames-immigrants Sat, 14 Jun 2025 11:59:00 +0200 inside-austria-austria-mourns-and-the-far-right-blames-immigrants In this week’s Inside Austria we look at Austria’s shockingly low rates of paternal leave – and why it matters far beyond parenting. Plus, we preview Austria’s World Cup qualifying campaign and what’s ahead for the long Pentecost weekend. https://www.thelocal.at/20250607/inside-austria-where-are-the-dads-on-leave-and-can-austria-make-the-world-cup Sat, 07 Jun 2025 11:17:57 +0200 inside-austria-where-are-the-dads-on-leave-and-can-austria-make-the-world-cup In this week’s Inside Austria, we look at why Austria is bracing for another scorching summer and how Ascension Day quietly shuts down half the country. Plus, from rising passport fees to new train routes and summer festivals, we’ve rounded up what’s changing in Austria this June. https://www.thelocal.at/20250531/inside-austria-hot-summers-long-weekends-and-whats-changing-in-june Sat, 31 May 2025 12:09:21 +0200 inside-austria-hot-summers-long-weekends-and-whats-changing-in-june