Austria 2026: Everything That Changes (Expat Guide)
What is new in Austria 2026? Rent control, social electricity tariff, income tax, vignette, Klimaticket - all key changes with BMF/AK/E-Control sources.
Editorial note: This guide summarises the key changes in Austria for 2026. All figures are checked against official primary sources (linked in-text). Last reviewed: 27 May 2026. Information without warranty; numbers may shift and individual situations vary.
What changes in Austria in 2026? The direct answer
Austria's 2026 reform package touches almost every household budget. Rent increases on Richtwert apartments are capped at one percent for the year, a new social electricity tariff caps the working price at six cents per kilowatt-hour for roughly 850,000 households, the income-tax brackets are indexed by 1.7333 percent (third and final phase of the cold-progression reform), the CO2 levy moves to 55 euro per tonne, and the Klimaticket Oe Classic reaches 1,400 euro for the year. This hub groups the changes by life area and links into the full guide for each.
Key takeaways
- Rent control: Richtwert rents capped at +1% for 2026, only adjustable on 1 April (source: 5. MILG via RIS).
- Social electricity tariff: 6 cents/kWh net for the first 2,900 kWh per year from 1 April 2026 (source: E-Control).
- Income tax: Brackets +1.7333%, tax-free threshold to 13,539 euro (source: BMF tax book 2026).
- CO2 tax: 55 euro/tonne (2025: 45 euro). Petrol +1.3 cents/litre, heating oil +2.2 cents/litre (source: BMF).
- Klimaticket Oe Classic: 1,400 euro per year, 1,050 reduced; trial promotion 1 May - 30 June 2026.
- Vignette 2026: Annual sticker 96.40 euro (motorcycle 38.20 euro), valid through 31 January 2027 (source: ASFINAG).
- Gas network charges: +18.2% on average, up to +35% in Carinthia (source: E-Control).
Table of Contents
- Housing and Rent
- Energy: Electricity and Gas
- Taxes and Finance
- Insurance
- Salary and Work
- Mobility and Transport
- Consumer Protection
Housing and Rent
Rent Control from 1 January 2026
The 5th Rent Law Inflation Mitigation Act (5. MILG) entered into force on 1 January 2026. Published in the Rechtsinformationssystem (RIS), it brings the largest rental-law reform in years and unifies the increase window for all rents under the Mietrechtsgesetz (MRG).
| Change | Details | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Increase date | Only on 1 April | All MRG rents |
| Richtwert rents 2026 | Maximum +1% | Pre-1945 buildings |
| Richtwert rents 2027 | Maximum +2% | Pre-1945 buildings |
| Free market rents above 3% inflation | Only half of the excess passed through | Post-1945/1953 buildings |
| Minimum lease term | 5 years for commercial landlords | Real-estate companies |
Richtwert values 2026 by federal state (selection): Vorarlberg 10.25 EUR/m2, Salzburg 9.54, Styria 9.43, Tyrol 8.46, Carinthia 7.80, Upper Austria 7.39, Lower Austria 7.07, Vienna 6.67, Burgenland 6.29 - all +1% year over year. The Chamber of Labour (Arbeiterkammer) reviews concrete increase letters free of charge.
Full template letter, landlord obligations and dispute walkthrough sit in our companion guide Rent Control Austria 2026: Your Rights as a Tenant.
Energy: Electricity and Gas
Social Electricity Tariff from 1 April 2026
From 1 April 2026, eligible households pay no more than 6 cents per kWh net for the first 2,900 kWh of yearly electricity consumption. The ordinance references the E-Control social-tariff framework; eligibility is automatic for households exempt from the ORF broadcasting fee.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Cap on working price | 6 cents/kWh net |
| Quota | first 2,900 kWh per year |
| Estimated savings | up to about 400 EUR per year |
| Eligibility | ORF-exempt households, minimum pensioners, social welfare recipients |
| Application | automatic via supplier with ORF exemption, otherwise apply with provider |
The full eligibility check, application steps and worked savings examples sit in the companion guide Social Electricity Tariff Austria 2026. Households outside the social-tariff group can usually trim the market component via a fresh electricity comparison on durchblicker.at (advertisement).
Gas Network Charges Up 18.2% on Average
The system-charges ordinance that took effect on 1 January 2026 lifted gas network fees regionally. The Austrian energy regulator E-Control publishes the tariffs annually.
| Federal state | Increase | Extra cost/year* |
|---|---|---|
| Carinthia | +35.0% | +142 EUR |
| Lower Austria | +30.6% | +124 EUR |
| Styria | +27.7% | +112 EUR |
| Tyrol | +19.8% | +80 EUR |
| Salzburg | +15.3% | +62 EUR |
| Vienna | +12.4% | +50 EUR |
| Burgenland | +11.2% | +45 EUR |
| Vorarlberg | +8.5% | +34 EUR |
| Upper Austria | +6.5% | +26 EUR |
What households can still influence despite regulated network fees sits in the deep dive Gas Network Costs Austria 2026. Current switching offers via durchblicker.at gas comparison (advertisement).
Dynamic Electricity Tariffs Mandatory from 2026
All Austrian suppliers must offer a dynamic tariff option since 1 January 2026. With an activated smart meter, households pay the hourly exchange price and typically save 15 to 25 percent if they shift heavy loads - heat pumps, EVs, dishwashers - into cheaper hours. The supplier landscape and pitfalls sit in the guide Dynamic Electricity Tariffs 2026.
Taxes and Finance
Income Tax 2026: Third and Final Indexation
The Austrian income-tax brackets were automatically indexed by 1.7333% on 1 January 2026 - two thirds of the BMF's measured inflation of 2.6%. The top bracket above one million euro remains at 55% and is excluded from the adjustment. Source: BMF tax tariff.
| Annual taxable income | Marginal rate 2026 |
|---|---|
| up to 13,539 EUR | 0% |
| 13,539 - 21,992 EUR | 20% |
| 21,992 - 36,458 EUR | 30% |
| 36,458 - 70,365 EUR | 40% |
| 70,365 - 104,859 EUR | 48% |
| 104,859 - 1,000,000 EUR | 50% |
| over 1,000,000 EUR | 55% |
The full bracket reference with allowances, special-payment treatment and worked examples lives in Austria Income Tax Brackets 2026. For the filing process, deadlines and FinanzOnline tips, see Tax Return Austria 2026 Guide.
Key Allowances 2026
| Item | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Tax-free threshold | 13,308 EUR | 13,539 EUR |
| Commuter allowance (Verkehrsabsetzbetrag) | 487 EUR | 496 EUR |
| Family Bonus Plus (child under 18) | 2,000 EUR / child | 2,000 EUR / child (unchanged) |
| Family Bonus Plus (child 18+, with family allowance) | 700 EUR / child | 700 EUR / child (unchanged) |
| ASVG monthly contribution ceiling | 6,450 EUR | 6,930 EUR |
Source: BMF Tax Book 2026 (EN, PDF). Commuter lump sums (Pendlerpauschale) and the per-kilometre Pendlereuro remain on the existing distance-and-transit-access matrix; precise figures sit in the BMF tax book.
CO2 Tax Rises to 55 EUR per Tonne
The Austrian CO2 levy moves to 55 EUR per tonne in 2026 (2025: 45 EUR). Concretely:
| Energy source | Extra cost 2026 |
|---|---|
| Heating oil | +2.2 cents/litre |
| Natural gas | +0.4 cents/kWh |
| Petrol | +1.3 cents/litre |
| Diesel | +1.5 cents/litre |
The Klimabonus is still paid out as compensation in 2026; the amount depends on residence and is updated annually on klimabonus.gv.at.
Insurance
Motor Insurance Tax Now Includes EVs
Since April 2025, fully electric vehicles are also subject to the motor-related insurance tax (motorbezogene Versicherungssteuer). For 2026, the bill scales with continuous power and curb weight - a Tesla Model Y at roughly 200 kW continuous power and around 2,000 kg comes out at about 450 to 550 EUR per year (calculation per Section 5 VersStG; reference data: Statistik Austria vehicle stock).
Which cover - liability, partial casco, full casco - actually pays back for an EV is broken down in Car Insurance Comparison Austria 2026. Live switching offers via durchblicker.at car insurance comparison (advertisement).
Health Insurance: Higher Contribution Ceiling
The ASVG monthly contribution ceiling rises to 6,930 EUR (2025: 6,450 EUR), so high earners pay more social-security up to the new cap. Which option - statutory cover, Sonderklasse private hospital room top-up or full private insurance - works best for an expat household sits in Health Insurance Guide Austria 2026.
Salary and Work
Collective Agreements 2026 (Selection)
Austria has no statutory minimum wage - pay floors are set by collective agreements (Kollektivverträge). The Austrian Economic Chamber (WKO) maintains the database of registered agreements; the ÖGB trade-union federation and the Chamber of Labour (AK) negotiate and advise.
| Sector | Increase 2026 | Effective |
|---|---|---|
| Metal industry (FMTI) | +3.9% | November 2025 |
| Retail | +3.3% | January 2026 |
| IT / Telecom | +3.5% | January 2026 |
| Banks / Insurance | +3.2% | March 2026 |
| Hospitality | +3.8% | November 2025 |
Pension adjustment 2026: tiered between +2.5% (higher pensions) and +3.5% (low pensions); the equalisation supplement (Ausgleichszulagenrichtsatz) rises in line. Annual figures are published by the Austrian Ministry of Social Affairs.
Mobility and Transport
Vignette 2026: Prices and Validity
Both the digital and the sticker vignette of ASFINAG saw a small price step for the 2026 year.
| Vignette | Car (up to 3.5 t) | Motorcycle | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual vignette 2026 | 96.40 EUR | 38.20 EUR | 01.12.2025 - 31.01.2027 |
| 2-month vignette | 29.00 EUR | 14.50 EUR | 2 months from purchase |
| 10-day vignette | 9.90 EUR | 5.80 EUR | 10 days from purchase |
| 1-day vignette | 8.60 EUR | 4.30 EUR | 24 hours |
Source: ASFINAG. Digital vs. sticker comparison and driving-cost overview in Vignette Austria 2026: Highway Tolls and Driving Costs.
Klimaticket 2026: 1,400 EUR Yearly, New Trial Promotion
The Klimaticket Oe Classic costs 1,400 EUR per year in 2026 (ten SEPA instalments of 116.67 EUR). The reduced rate for under 26, 65 plus and Spezial is 1,050 EUR. A two-month trial action runs from 1 May to 30 June 2026 for 233 EUR (175 EUR reduced) with free cancellation afterwards. All federal-state tickets and combinations in Klimaticket Austria 2026.
Consumer Protection
Anti-Shrinkflation Act 2026
Manufacturers must clearly label hidden quantity reductions in identically-sized packaging from 1 January 2026. The unit price (EUR per kg, EUR per litre) has to remain clearly visible. Worked examples and consumer rights in Anti-Shrinkflation Law Austria 2026.
Geräte-Retter-Prämie 2026 (Repair Bonus)
The Austrian repair bonus continues in 2026 as the Geräte-Retter-Prämie: 50% refund, capped at 130 EUR per repair (2025: 200 EUR). Application via the Federal Ministry for Climate (BMK) at reparaturbonus.at. Full process in Repair Bonus Austria 2026.
NIS 2 Directive Now National Law
The EU NIS 2 directive on network and information security entered into force in Austrian law on 1 January 2026. Covered entities must report security incidents within 24 hours; supervision sits with the Federal Ministry of the Interior in coordination with RTR.
What Should You Do Now?
- Check your tenancy: If your landlord announces a rent increase above 1% on Richtwert rents, contact the AK consultation service for a free review.
- Apply for the social tariff: ORF-exempt households are usually assigned automatically by their supplier - everyone else should ask their current provider proactively.
- Trim energy costs: Network fees are regulated, but the market price can be reduced via a supplier switch - typical savings 100 to 300 EUR per year.
- File your 2025 return: Verkehrsabsetzbetrag (496 EUR), Family Bonus Plus (2,000 EUR), Pendlerpauschale and work-related expenses are worth it for most employees.
- Re-quote car insurance: Especially relevant for EV owners (new motor insurance tax) and on bonus-tier anniversaries.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are the most important changes in Austria 2026?
Rent control (Richtwert max +1%), electricity social tariff (6 cents/kWh net for 2,900 kWh), income tax indexation (+1.7333%), CO2 tax 55 EUR per tonne, Klimaticket 1,400 EUR, vignette 96.40 EUR. Sources: RIS, E-Control, BMF, ASFINAG.
When did rent control come into effect?
Rent control took effect on 1 January 2026. The first allowed increase under the new system is 1 April 2026; Richtwert rents are capped at +1% for 2026 and +2% for 2027. Source: 5. MILG via RIS.
Who is eligible for the social electricity tariff?
ORF-exempt households, minimum pensioners and social-welfare recipients pay no more than 6 cents per kWh net for the first 2,900 kWh per year. Estimated yearly saving: up to 400 EUR. Source: E-Control.
What is the tax-free income threshold in 2026?
Income up to 13,539 EUR (2025: 13,308 EUR) is wage-tax free. All brackets except the top one were lifted by 1.7333%. Source: BMF.
Does Austria have a statutory minimum wage in 2026?
No. Pay floors are set by sector-specific collective agreements (Kollektivverträge). 2026 agreements range from +3.0% to +3.9% depending on the sector. Source: WKO and ÖGB.
How much does the vignette cost in 2026?
The annual vignette 2026 costs 96.40 EUR for cars and 38.20 EUR for motorcycles. Validity 1 December 2025 to 31 January 2027. Source: ASFINAG.
How high is the CO2 tax in 2026?
The CO2 levy rises on 1 January 2026 to 55 EUR per tonne (2025: 45 EUR). Cost effect: heating oil +2.2 cents/litre, natural gas +0.4 cents/kWh, petrol +1.3 cents/litre, diesel +1.5 cents/litre. Source: BMF.
Related Guides
- Income Tax Brackets Austria 2026 - Full tax-rate reference
- Tax Return Austria 2026 - FinanzOnline and refund guide
- Klimaticket Austria 2026 - Prices and zones
- Rent Control Austria 2026 - Your rights as a tenant
- Social Electricity Tariff Austria 2026
- Gas Network Costs Austria 2026
- Dynamic Electricity Tariffs Austria 2026
- Car Insurance Comparison Austria 2026
- Anti-Shrinkflation Law Austria 2026
- Repair Bonus Austria 2026
- Vignette Austria 2026
Sources: BMF, BMJ, E-Control, WKO, AK, OeGB, Statistik Austria, ASFINAG, sozialministerium.at, RIS. Last updated: 27 May 2026.
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Information as of: November 2024. All information without warranty. Changes and errors excepted.
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