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The Local Austria
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Austria's news in English

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Christmas is here, along with many winter holiday traditions. Some Austrians focus on putting up their Christmas decorations, but others dress up as goat demons - here are some traditions you may not have heard so much about.
Four unusual Austrian Christmas traditions
Christmas is here, along with many winter holiday traditions. Some Austrians focus on putting up their Christmas decorations, but others dress up as goat demons - here are some traditions you may not have heard so much about.
www.thelocal.at
December 24, 2025 at 2:54 PM
The European Union reacted sharply on Wednesday to US visa sanctions imposed on five European figures involved in regulating tech companies, including former European Commissioner Thierry Breton.
EU 'strongly condemns' US visa bans against five Europeans
The European Union reacted sharply on Wednesday to US visa sanctions imposed on five European figures involved in regulating tech companies, including former European Commissioner Thierry Breton.
www.thelocal.at
December 24, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Christmas Eve shopping in Vienna comes with shortened hours for most stores, but there are still options for last-minute gifts and groceries.
What’s open for last-minute shopping in Vienna on Christmas Eve?
Christmas Eve shopping in Vienna comes with shortened hours for most stores, but there are still options for last-minute gifts and groceries.
www.thelocal.at
December 24, 2025 at 12:48 PM
From the Eurovision song contest to Mozart week via Easter festivals, here are X of the best events taking place across Austria throughout 2026 that you need to get in your diary.
What's on in Austria: A seasonal guide to the best festivals and events in 2026
From the Eurovision song contest to Mozart week via Easter festivals, here are X of the best events taking place across Austria throughout 2026 that you need to get in your diary.
www.thelocal.at
December 24, 2025 at 10:23 AM
As a traditionally Catholic country, Austria celebrates Christmas fully: with many typical dishes, beverages and meetings. Here are some of the best.
Austrian Christmas dinner: The traditional foods and drinks for the festive season
As a traditionally Catholic country, Austria celebrates Christmas fully: with many typical dishes, beverages and meetings. Here are some of the best.
www.thelocal.at
December 24, 2025 at 9:24 AM
New rules for English grades in primary schools and fresh data showing rising loneliness across Austria make headlines, plus more stories from Austria on Wednesday.
Today in Austria: A roundup of the latest news on Wednesday
New rules for English grades in primary schools and fresh data showing rising loneliness across Austria make headlines, plus more stories from Austria on Wednesday.
www.thelocal.at
December 24, 2025 at 7:32 AM
If you want to explain why you’re doing something in German, you’ll often need a phrase that means “in order to”. German has two main options for this: um…zu and damit. They look similar, but they’re not interchangeable.
German grammar tips: ‘damit’ vs ‘um…zu’ — two ways to say ‘in order to’
If you want to explain why you’re doing something in German, you’ll often need a phrase that means “in order to”. German has two main options for this: um…zu and damit. They look similar, but they’re not interchangeable.
www.thelocal.at
December 23, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Vienna is hosting the 2026 edition of the Eurovision Song Contest this year. How do you get your hands on a ticket?
Can I still get tickets for the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna?
Vienna is hosting the 2026 edition of the Eurovision Song Contest this year. How do you get your hands on a ticket?
www.thelocal.at
December 23, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Keep the holiday cheer alive in Vienna with these Christmas and New Year’s Eve markets that stay open past December 26th. Here's where to find food, drinks, and festive vibes.
Vienna’s festive guide: Silvestermärkte and the Christmas markets open for longer
Keep the holiday cheer alive in Vienna with these Christmas and New Year’s Eve markets that stay open past December 26th. Here's where to find food, drinks, and festive vibes.
www.thelocal.at
December 23, 2025 at 11:39 AM
From working hours reporting to rent rules and motorway vignettes, January brings a wide set of changes across Austria that affect everyday life.
KEY POINTS: What changes in Austria in January 2026
From working hours reporting to rent rules and motorway vignettes, January brings a wide set of changes across Austria that affect everyday life.
www.thelocal.at
December 23, 2025 at 9:47 AM
Police investigate multiple shooting incidents in Lower Austria and new data shows how sharply restaurant prices have risen, plus more stories from Austria on Tuesday.
Today in Austria: A roundup of the latest news on Tuesday
Police investigate multiple shooting incidents in Lower Austria and new data shows how sharply restaurant prices have risen, plus more stories from Austria on Tuesday.
www.thelocal.at
December 23, 2025 at 7:49 AM
As December draws to a close in Austria, this word starts appearing everywhere, from office emails to official letters and conversations about money and paperwork.
German Word of the Day: der Jahresabschluss
As December draws to a close in Austria, this word starts appearing everywhere, from office emails to official letters and conversations about money and paperwork.
www.thelocal.at
December 22, 2025 at 4:05 PM
A major international study recently ranked the world’s top universities for 2026. One university in Austria secured a spot in the top 100, while others were also included in the list. Here's what to know.
What are Austria's top-rated universities in 2026?
A major international study recently ranked the world’s top universities for 2026. One university in Austria secured a spot in the top 100, while others were also included in the list. Here's what to know.
www.thelocal.at
December 22, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Austria could be heading for one of its snowiest Christmas periods in years, with forecasts pointing to good chances of snowfall across much of the country, including parts of the east that have not seen a white Christmas for over a decade.
What are the chances of a snowy Christmas in Austria this year?
Austria could be heading for one of its snowiest Christmas periods in years, with forecasts pointing to good chances of snowfall across much of the country, including parts of the east that have not seen a white Christmas for over a decade.
www.thelocal.at
December 22, 2025 at 11:39 AM
Debate over an ÖVP integration campaign and the death of a major Austrian artist dominate headlines, plus more stories from Austria on Monday.
Today in Austria: A roundup of the latest news on Monday
Debate over an ÖVP integration campaign and the death of a major Austrian artist dominate headlines, plus more stories from Austria on Monday.
www.thelocal.at
December 22, 2025 at 8:07 AM
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.
Inside Austria: The bizarre Austrian dinner habit I resisted for years, but now love
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.
www.thelocal.at
December 20, 2025 at 9:05 AM
If you are thinking about leaving the US for Austria—whether for work, love, a new adventure, or any other reason—there are a few steps you need to take first. Here we list the options available for US citizens who plan to make the move.
How Americans can move to Austria in 2026
If you are thinking about leaving the US for Austria—whether for work, love, a new adventure, or any other reason—there are a few steps you need to take first. Here we list the options available for US citizens who plan to make the move.
www.thelocal.at
December 20, 2025 at 6:55 AM
Want to feel more festive while also improving your German? Writer Sarah Magill digs out some of the most beautiful (and fun) German-language Christmas carols.
Five Christmas songs to improve your German language skills
Want to feel more festive while also improving your German? Writer Sarah Magill digs out some of the most beautiful (and fun) German-language Christmas carols.
www.thelocal.at
December 20, 2025 at 6:50 AM
Many people are finishing up work for the holidays. So what is open and closed in Austria over the festive period?
What's open and what’s closed in Austria over Christmas this year?
Many people are finishing up work for the holidays. So what is open and closed in Austria over the festive period?
www.thelocal.at
December 19, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Many foreign residents dream of owning their own home in Austria. However, new research shows that buying a place is still unaffordable for much of the population, even as house prices have dipped in recent years and incomes have risen.
Why buying a home in Austria remains unaffordable for so many
Many foreign residents dream of owning their own home in Austria. However, new research shows that buying a place is still unaffordable for much of the population, even as house prices have dipped in recent years and incomes have risen.
www.thelocal.at
December 19, 2025 at 3:24 PM
European travellers to the UK now require an electronic ETA visa waiver, with the UK government warning that they will start barring entry to those who don't have the required waiver. UK nationals are exempt, but what about their Austrian partners, spouses or children?
Do I need an ETA visa for my Austrian spouse or children?
European travellers to the UK now require an electronic ETA visa waiver, with the UK government warning that they will start barring entry to those who don't have the required waiver. UK nationals are exempt, but what about their Austrian partners, spouses or children?
www.thelocal.at
December 19, 2025 at 11:38 AM
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?
Do you need a sick note on your first day off 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?
www.thelocal.at
December 19, 2025 at 11:16 AM
Russia has ordered Raiffeisen Bank International to pay compensation to a Russian company over losses caused by EU sanctions.
Russian court orders Austria’s Raiffeisen to pay €339 million in sanctions dispute
Russia has ordered Raiffeisen Bank International to pay compensation to a Russian company over losses caused by EU sanctions.
www.thelocal.at
December 19, 2025 at 9:28 AM
A new study has found clear discrimination against refugees in Austria’s job market, and victims of the Graz school shooting have received the first payments from a state support fund, plus more stories from Austria on Friday.
Today in Austria: A roundup of the latest news on Friday
A new study has found clear discrimination against refugees in Austria’s job market, and victims of the Graz school shooting have received the first payments from a state support fund, plus more stories from Austria on Friday.
www.thelocal.at
December 19, 2025 at 8:21 AM
The association of European airports called on Thursday for an urgent review of the new EU border system, amid “mounting operational issues” that could affect the holiday season.
'Mayhem and chaos': Europe's airports demand urgent review of new border system
The association of European airports called on Thursday for an urgent review of the new EU border system, amid “mounting operational issues” that could affect the holiday season.
www.thelocal.at
December 18, 2025 at 6:10 PM