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 Families in Austria can benefit from a range of government subsidies, tax allowances, and financial aid designed to support parents and their children. https://www.thelocal.at/20241028/what-benefits-are-you-entitled-to-in-austria-if-you-have-children Mon, 28 Oct 2024 16:33:37 +0100 what-benefits-are-you-entitled-to-in-austria-if-you-have-children Two Vienna nurseries just two kilometres apart are trying a simple experiment to tackle one of the city’s harder education problems: children growing up in very different language environments before they even start school. https://www.thelocal.at/20260508/two-vienna-nurseries-try-to-bridge-the-citys-language-divide Fri, 08 May 2026 14:31:41 +0200 two-vienna-nurseries-try-to-bridge-the-citys-language-divide If your parcel was sent to a Paketshop in Austria despite you being home, you’re not alone. Here’s what the rules say, who to contact, and how to report poor delivery practices. https://www.thelocal.at/20250506/missed-deliveries-in-austria-what-to-do-if-your-parcel-goes-straight-to-a-pick-up-point Tue, 06 May 2025 14:50:27 +0200 missed-deliveries-in-austria-what-to-do-if-your-parcel-goes-straight-to-a-pick-up-point 'Haushaltsversicherung' is one of Austria's most popular types of insurance. It is not mandatory, but it is certainly worth evaluating, especially as it comes with many possible add-ons. https://www.thelocal.at/20240502/haushaltsversicherung-how-does-austrias-home-insurance-work Thu, 02 May 2024 15:22:36 +0200 haushaltsversicherung-how-does-austrias-home-insurance-work From renewing residence permits to finding an affordable place to rent, we'd like to hear what problems international residents in Austria are dealing with in 2026. Please take part in our one minute survey. https://www.thelocal.at/20260504/tell-us-what-are-the-biggest-problems-facing-foreign-residents-in-austria Mon, 04 May 2026 16:12:50 +0200 tell-us-what-are-the-biggest-problems-facing-foreign-residents-in-austria Austrian kids have plenty of opportunities to go on holidays, with small breaks throughout the year and their big summer holidays. Here are the dates for 2026. https://www.thelocal.at/20260504/when-are-austrias-school-summer-holidays-in-2026 Mon, 04 May 2026 16:09:53 +0200 when-are-austrias-school-summer-holidays-in-2026 What do foreign parents need to consider when it comes to Austria's education system? From different educational paths to learning German, here's what an Austrian teaching expert had to say. https://www.thelocal.at/20260504/parents-should-inform-themselves-austria-schools-expert-urges-parents-to-research-education-routes Mon, 04 May 2026 12:39:12 +0200 parents-should-inform-themselves-austria-schools-expert-urges-parents-to-research-education-routes Plenty of foreigners in Austria – particularly those who retired to Austria – contributed to their pension before arriving here. What happens to those contributions? And what happens to contributions you made in Austria if you retire somewhere else? https://www.thelocal.at/20230426/explained-do-your-pension-contributions-abroad-count-in-austria Wed, 26 Apr 2023 11:35:52 +0200 explained-do-your-pension-contributions-abroad-count-in-austria Most of Vienna shuts down on Sundays, but a few stations, malls and cafés stay open. Here’s where to grab essentials if your fridge is empty. https://www.thelocal.at/20251128/where-you-can-still-buy-food-in-vienna-on-a-sunday Fri, 28 Nov 2025 13:07:13 +0100 where-you-can-still-buy-food-in-vienna-on-a-sunday Spring is a bumper time for public holidays in Austria. Here's how to make the most of them. https://www.thelocal.at/20260309/how-to-make-the-most-of-austrias-spring-public-holidays Mon, 09 Mar 2026 14:41:11 +0100 how-to-make-the-most-of-austrias-spring-public-holidays International residents who come to Austria are encouraged to fully integrate. When it comes to bureaucracy, there are concrete requirements. But is this enough? https://www.thelocal.at/20260421/what-does-it-mean-to-be-fully-integrated-in-austria Tue, 21 Apr 2026 13:36:46 +0200 what-does-it-mean-to-be-fully-integrated-in-austria Austria’s tourism board has launched a playful campaign inviting visitors to sign a non-disclosure agreement before receiving winter travel tips. https://www.thelocal.at/20260116/why-austria-is-asking-visitors-to-sign-a-deal-to-keep-its-hidden-gems-secret Fri, 16 Jan 2026 16:22:30 +0100 why-austria-is-asking-visitors-to-sign-a-deal-to-keep-its-hidden-gems-secret Austria’s coalition is split over a draft integration law with mandatory measures from day one. The biggest fight is over the proposed criminal penalties. https://www.thelocal.at/20260417/explained-what-austrias-proposed-integration-changes-would-do Fri, 17 Apr 2026 12:30:00 +0200 explained-what-austrias-proposed-integration-changes-would-do From bureaucracy to social integration, foreigners face various challenges when settling in Austria. Here are the most common issues and practical solutions to overcome them. https://www.thelocal.at/20240905/the-main-complaints-foreigners-have-about-life-in-austria-and-how-to-solve-them Thu, 05 Sep 2024 15:39:50 +0200 the-main-complaints-foreigners-have-about-life-in-austria-and-how-to-solve-them Austria's laissez-faire attitude to public nudity is a culture shock to many foreign residents and visitors to the country. We asked readers to share their thoughts on baring it all. https://www.thelocal.at/20260414/jarring-in-a-park-foreigners-weigh-in-on-austrias-relaxed-attitude-to-public-nudity Tue, 14 Apr 2026 13:18:51 +0200 jarring-in-a-park-foreigners-weigh-in-on-austrias-relaxed-attitude-to-public-nudity Austria’s e-card can now be used on a smartphone, which means you no longer have to carry the plastic card everywhere with you if you would rather keep it digital. https://www.thelocal.at/20260409/how-to-add-your-austrian-e-card-to-your-phone Thu, 09 Apr 2026 16:53:07 +0200 how-to-add-your-austrian-e-card-to-your-phone You may have heard Americans talking about 'house burping' – a practice inspired by the Austrian and German practice of Lüften or ventilation. We break down what you should know about airing out your home in the cold months. https://www.thelocal.at/20260202/luften-how-often-do-you-have-to-air-your-austrian-home-during-winters Mon, 02 Feb 2026 15:16:30 +0100 luften-how-often-do-you-have-to-air-your-austrian-home-during-winters As spring arrives and temperatures slowly rise again across Austria, there are a few German words and expressions that could come in handy soon. https://www.thelocal.at/20220411/nine-german-expressions-that-perfectly-sum-up-spring-in-austria Mon, 11 Apr 2022 17:54:57 +0200 nine-german-expressions-that-perfectly-sum-up-spring-in-austria When a dishwasher or oven breaks down in a rented home, many tenants in Austria wonder who should pay for the repairs – especially if the appliance was included with the flat. The answer depends on what kind of property you live in and the type of contract you signed. https://www.thelocal.at/20251031/renting-in-austria-does-the-landlord-have-to-fix-my-broken-kitchen-appliances Fri, 31 Oct 2025 10:39:04 +0100 renting-in-austria-does-the-landlord-have-to-fix-my-broken-kitchen-appliances New data on spending trends in Austria has revealed what residents are doing with their hard-earned income and how spending power depends very much ion where you live. https://www.thelocal.at/20260305/in-numbers-whats-a-normal-monthly-budget-in-austria-in-2026 Thu, 05 Mar 2026 12:21:55 +0100 in-numbers-whats-a-normal-monthly-budget-in-austria-in-2026