Everything That Changed in Austria 2026: Complete Guide for Expats
What's new in Austria 2026? Rent control, energy prices, taxes, insurance - all important changes explained for expats. Updated February 2026.
Last Updated: February 2026. This guide is regularly updated as new changes are announced.
2026: A Year of Major Changes in Austria
The year 2026 brings numerous changes for residents of Austria across practically all areas of life. From rent control to new electricity tariffs to tax relief – here's your complete overview of all important changes.
Good News for 2026
- ✓ Rent Control: Max. +1% for Richtwert rents
- ✓ Social Electricity Tariff: -52% for 850,000 households
- ✓ Tax Relief: Commuter bonus increases to €0.75/km
- ✓ Higher Salaries: Collective agreement increases of 3-4%
Cost Increases for 2026
- ⚠️ Gas Network Costs: +18.2% on average (up to +35% in Carinthia)
- ⚠️ Electricity Network Costs: +5 to +20% depending on state
- ⚠️ CO2 Tax: Increases to €55/ton
- ⚠️ Highway Vignette: +7.7% increase
Table of Contents
- Housing & Rent
- Energy: Electricity & Gas
- Taxes & Finances
- Insurance
- Salary & Employment
- Mobility & Transport
- Consumer Protection
Housing & Rent
Rent Control from January 1, 2026
The 5th Rent Law Inflation Mitigation Act (5. MILG) brings the largest rental law reform in years:
| Change | Details | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Increase Date | Only on April 1 allowed | All MRG rents |
| Richtwert Rents 2026 | Maximum +1% | Pre-1945 buildings |
| Richtwert Rents 2027 | Maximum +2% | Pre-1945 buildings |
| Free Market Rents | CPI cap: Only half of excess above 3% | Post-1945/1953 buildings |
| Minimum Lease Term | 5 years for commercial landlords | Real estate companies |
Richtwert Values 2026 by Federal State:
| Federal State | Richtwert 2026 | Change | |---------------|----------------|--------| | Vorarlberg | €10.25/m² | +1% | | Salzburg | €9.54/m² | +1% | | Styria | €9.43/m² | +1% | | Tyrol | €8.46/m² | +1% | | Carinthia | €7.80/m² | +1% | | Upper Austria | €7.39/m² | +1% | | Lower Austria | €7.07/m² | +1% | | Vienna | €6.67/m² | +1% | | Burgenland | €6.29/m² | +1% |
➡️ More Details: Rent Control Austria 2026: Your Rights as a Tenant
Energy: Electricity & Gas
Social Electricity Tariff from April 2026
The biggest change in energy: From April 2026, around 850,000 low-income households will receive a state-subsidized electricity rate.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Price Advantage | -52% compared to market price |
| Fixed Price | ~10 cents/kWh (instead of ~21 cents) |
| Annual Savings | €350-550 per household |
| Eligible | GIS-exempt, social welfare recipients, minimum pensioners |
| Quota | 2,900 kWh/year (single-person household) |
➡️ More Details: Social Electricity Tariff Austria 2026
Gas Network Costs Rise Dramatically
Gas network charges in Austria are increasing by an average of +18.2% in 2026. Most affected:
| Federal State | Increase | Extra Cost/Year* | |---------------|----------|------------------| | Carinthia | +35.0% | +€142 | | Lower Austria | +30.6% | +€124 | | Styria | +27.7% | +€112 | | Tyrol | +19.8% | +€80 | | Salzburg | +15.3% | +€62 | | Vienna | +12.4% | +€50 | | Burgenland | +11.2% | +€45 | | Vorarlberg | +8.5% | +€34 | | Upper Austria | +6.5% | +€26 |
*Based on 15,000 kWh annual consumption
➡️ More Details: Gas Network Costs Austria 2026
Dynamic Electricity Tariffs Mandatory
From 2026, all electricity providers must offer dynamic tariffs. With a smart meter, you can benefit from stock exchange prices – especially if you shift consumption to cheaper times.
Savings Potential:
- Households with smart meter: up to 15-25% savings possible
- Ideal for: heat pumps, EVs, programmable appliances
Taxes & Finances
Tax Reductions 2026
| Change | 2025 | 2026 | Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commuter Bonus (Pendlereuro) | €0.50/km | €0.75/km | +50% |
| Family Bonus Plus | €2,000/child | €2,140/child | +€140/child |
| Child Supplement | €700 | €800 | +€100 |
| Tax-Free Income | €12,816 | €13,308 | +€492 |
Income Tax Rates 2026
Tax brackets are adjusted by 3.84% (bracket creep adjustment). For a detailed breakdown, see our income tax brackets guide Austria 2026:
| Income | Tax Rate 2026 | |--------|---------------| | Up to €13,308 | 0% | | €13,308 - €22,191 | 20% | | €22,191 - €35,836 | 30% | | €35,836 - €69,166 | 40% | | €69,166 - €103,072 | 48% | | €103,072 - €1,000,000 | 50% | | Over €1,000,000 | 55% |
➡️ More Details: Tax Return Austria 2026 Guide
CO2 Tax Increases
The CO2 pricing rises to €55 per ton in 2026 (2025: €45). This means:
| Energy Source | Extra Cost 2026 | |---------------|-----------------| | Heating Oil | +2.2 cents/liter | | Natural Gas | +0.4 cents/kWh | | Gasoline | +1.3 cents/liter | | Diesel | +1.5 cents/liter |
Insurance
New EV Insurance Tax
Since April 2025, electric vehicles must also pay the motor-related insurance tax. For 2026, this means:
Example Tesla Model Y:
- Continuous power: ~200 kW
- Weight: ~2,000 kg
- Annual tax: approx. €450-550
➡️ More Details: Car Insurance Austria 2026
Health Insurance: New Contribution Rates
The ASVG maximum contribution basis rises to €6,450/month (2025: €6,060). This means higher maximum social security contributions for high earners.
Salary & Employment
Collective Agreement Increases 2026
| Sector | Increase 2026 | Effective |
|---|---|---|
| Metal Industry | +3.9% | November 2025 |
| Retail | +3.3% | January 2026 |
| IT/Telecom | +3.5% | January 2026 |
| Construction | +3.0% | May 2026 |
| Hospitality | +3.0% | May 2026 |
Minimum Wage & Pensions
- Collective agreement minimum wages: Rising to ~€2,100 gross/month
- Pensions: Adjustment of +2.5 to +3.5% (depending on pension level)
- Equalization supplement: Increase to ~€1,180/month
Mobility & Transport
Highway Vignette 2026/2027
The highway vignette is getting more expensive:
| Vignette | 2025/2026 | 2026/2027 | Change | |----------|-----------|-----------|--------| | Annual Vignette | €96.40 | €103.80 | +7.7% | | 2-Month Vignette | €29.00 | €31.20 | +7.6% | | 10-Day Vignette | €9.90 | €10.70 | +8.1% | | Digital Vignette | same price | same price | - |
Klimaticket 2026
The Klimaticket Austria remains at €1,095/year (€821 for youth and seniors). Regional Klimatickets vary by federal state. See our complete Klimaticket Austria 2026 guide for all prices and zones.
Driver's License Changes
- Digital Driver's License: Fully valid across the EU from 2026
- B196 Extension: Discussion about motorcycles up to 125cc for car license holders
Consumer Protection
Anti-Shrinkflation Law
From 2026, stricter rules against shrinkflation apply. Learn more in our Anti-Shrinkflation Law Austria 2026 guide:
- Mandatory labeling when quantity is reduced
- Price comparison per unit (€/kg, €/L) must be clearly visible
- Retailers must notify customers of product changes
Right to Repair
The EU directive will be implemented in Austrian law in 2026. The Repair Bonus Austria 2026 continues to subsidize electronics repairs:
- Repair obligation: Manufacturers must offer spare parts for at least 10 years
- Repair index: Products receive a rating for repairability
- Subsidies: "Geräte-Retter-Prämie" (device saver bonus) continues – get up to €200 back
What Should You Do Now?
Checklist for 2026
✅ Your To-Do List for 2026
- ☐ Check your rent: Is the announced increase legal?
- ☐ Compare electricity providers: Network costs are rising, but work prices are often cheaper
- ☐ Switch gas provider: Network costs +18%, but you can save on the work price
- ☐ Apply for social tariff: If eligible, definitely by March 2026
- ☐ File your tax return: For 2025, with increased commuter bonus
- ☐ Compare car insurance: Especially important for EV owners
- ☐ Activate smart meter: For dynamic electricity tariffs
- ☐ Consider heating switch: Subsidies for heat pumps up to €7,500
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When did rent control come into effect?
Rent control came into effect on January 1, 2026. The first possible rent increase under the new system is April 1, 2026.
Who is eligible for the social electricity tariff?
Eligible are: GIS-exempt households, social welfare/minimum income recipients, minimum pensioners, students with study grants, and households receiving housing assistance. About 850,000 households qualify.
How high is the CO2 tax in 2026?
CO2 pricing in 2026 is €55 per ton of CO2 (2025: €45). This leads to extra costs of about 1-2 cents per liter of gasoline/diesel or 0.4 cents/kWh of gas.
Will my salary increase in 2026?
Most collective agreements include increases of 3-4%. The exact increase depends on your industry and collective agreement. Salary tables have already been published for most sectors.
When should I switch electricity providers?
Now is a good time: Electricity prices are relatively stable in 2026, but network costs are rising. By switching providers, you can often save €150-300 per year. Switching is easy and the new provider handles all formalities.
Related Articles
- Income Tax Brackets Austria 2026 - Complete tax rate guide
- Tax Return Austria 2026: Get Your Money Back
- Klimaticket Austria 2026: Prices & Zones - Unlimited public transport
- Anti-Shrinkflation Law Austria 2026 - New consumer protections
- Repair Bonus Austria 2026 - Get €200 for device repairs
- Social Electricity Tariff 2026: Who Benefits?
- Rent Control Austria 2026: Your Rights as a Tenant
Sources: BMF, BMJ, E-Control, WKO, Arbeiterkammer, ASFINAG. Updated: February 2026.
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Information as of: November 2024. All information without warranty. Changes and errors excepted.
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