Metropole
Stories are what make a city great. METROPOLE tells Vienna’s in English. Whether it’s insights about personalities, businesses or ideas, METROPOLE curates them for an international public. Looking to enrich your experience here? METROPOLE recommends events and locations to help make your Vienna story worth the telling.
Coronavirus
Right-Wing Freedom Party’s Fake News About Hospitals Full of People With “Vaccine Damage” Causes Out...
Right-wing Freedom Party Dagmar Belakowitsch caused outrage by claiming that hospitals are filled with people with vaccination "damage".
General
Corruption Allegations Against EU Commissioner Johannes Hahn
The French newspaper "Liberation" raises serious allegations against Austria's EU Commissioner Johannes Hahn of the Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP).
Croatian in Vienna
Croatian Food in Vienna | The Great Gastro-guide
One thing that Austrians and Croatians have in common is best illustrated by a proverb:
“People come together over food!”
Vienna News
The Latest News from Austria & Vienna: GDP in Austria Above Pre-crisis Level
All the latest news from Austria & Vienna – short, concise, and in English.
Diplomacy
Austria (and Vienna) Have High Quality of Life But Unfriendly Locals: Expat Insider Survey
Every year, the InterNations' Expat Insider surveys thousands of expats all over the world, who score their new home countries across several categor...
Coronavirus
Omicron Variant of Corona Virus Confirmed in Austria
Omicron is officially in Austria. With vaccine protection and virulence unconfirmed, PCR tests are being upgraded to help track the spread.
General
Haircut on a Sunday? Shopping Across The Austrian Border Offers Flexibility and Discounts
We’ve all been there: It’s Sunday and we need new shoes, a haircut or just a day shopping across the Austrian border.
International
Foreign Ministry Trying to Get Austrians Back From Africa
In view of the new coronavirus mutation Omikron, Austria is trying to get them around 200 registered Austrians who are currently on vacation in southern Africa back home.
General
Moscow Announced the First Meeting of Sergei Lavrov and Linhart
In an interview with the Russian state news agency RIA Novosti, Linhart said that he was looking forward to getting to know his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov personally.
Cafés and Restaurants
How To Celebrate Thanksgiving in Vienna (Despite Lockdown)
Just because you're a long way from home doesn't mean you can't enjoy Thanksgiving in Vienna - even during a lockdown.
General
Talks About Nuclear Inspections in Iran “Without Result”
Despite all efforts, the negotiations and talks about nuclear inspections were without result. Inspectors have not been given access to IAEA surveillance cameras and to a workshop for uranium centrifuges for months.
General
319 Femicides in Austria Within One Decade
New research says most victims know the perpetrators - and usually have family ties. Perpetrators need to be punished "with the full force of the law", stated Minister for Women's Affairs Susanne Raab.
General
How to Become Self-employed in Austria
The founder of Self-employed in Austria reveals the three mostcommon questions about starting your own business.
News
Corruption Probe Continues: Former Chancellor Sebastian Kurz’s Immunity Lifted
Parliamentary immunity was lifted for Sebastian Kurz (ÖVP), under investigation for alleged bribery and corruption in the tabloid scandal.
General
Ali Gedik: The People’s Friend
Turkish-born Ali Gedik's social consciousness has led him to Verein Wiener Jugendzentren, Winterquartier and Volkshilfe.
General
How to Get a Student Visa in Vienna
Here is everything you need to know, the documents you need, and which steps to take to get your student visa in Vienna and Austria.
General
Minister Elisabeth Köstinger Invites Neighbouring Countries to Tourism Talks
"We all want a safe winter season for our guests, so joint regulations between the involved countries are necessary and sensible", said Minister for Tourism Elisabeth Koestinger.
News
EU Economic Forecast Sees Upturn in Austria
The European Commission sees higher-than-expected GDP growth in Austria in 2021, but the impact of coming corona measures remains unclear.
Health
Depression in Austria Nearly Doubled Since 2019, Says OECD Study
In the pandemic year of 2020, twice as many people reported symptoms of depression - in fact, more than one in five.
General
Insolvencies on the Rise in Austria – But Still Better than 2019
According to data from Statistics Austria, 754 insolvencies were reported in the third quarter of 2021, 24.2 percent more than in the third quarter o...
General
Interior Minister Nehammer to Visit Israel
Austrian Interior Minister Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) is due to meet with Foreign Minister Yair Lapid in Jerusalem, with whom he will visit the Knesset.
City Life
Guide to Shopping on Sundays in Vienna
While Austrian law requires most stores in Vienna to lock their doors on Sundays and holidays, there are a few exceptions allowed.
General
The Bosnians of Vienna
Up to 40,000 Bosnians live in Vienna.
We talked to some of them to learn
what brought them here and what
makes them feel at home.
Health
Women and Poverty: Caritas Demands Living Wages and Support
1.22 million people were at risk of poverty in Austria. According to government figures, this was 13.9 percent of the population.
News
Low Public Trust in Media After Advert Affair, Says Survey
A survey conducted by the Gallup institute and the Medienhaus Vienna found that public trust in media has plummeted following recent political scandals.
News
Forest Fires in Lower Austria May Take Until Next Week to Put Out
Forest fires on a mountainside in Lower Austria started last week and may not be extinguished until the weekend, despite continuous firefighting efforts and international support.
News
Climate Crisis Needs Global Solutions, Says Schallenberg
When speaking about the climate crisis at the UN Climate Conference in Glasgow, Alexander Schallenberg reminded everyone that we all need to act together.
News
Austrian Businesses More Optimistic in October, Says Economic Think Tank
The WIFO Business Climate Index shows that the Austrian businesses are more optimistic this month, despite the pandemic
News
NEOS Accuse The ÖVP of “Systemic Corruption”
The opposition NEOS party has accused the center-right Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP) of "systemic corruption" following multiple scandals and the resignation of Sebastian Kurz as chancellor.
News
Motorway Expansion at Odds With Climate Goals, Say Austrians
Most Austrians consider motorway expansion and other highways development to be at odds with climate goals: 63% are in against it.
News
Trains Could Replace 80 Percent of Short-Haul Flights
A Greenpeace report shows most European short-haul flights can be easily replaced by train journeys - and calls for some routes to be banned
News
Van Der Bellen on Climate Change: “I Will Not Be Quiet”
President Van der Bellen spoke on the importance of fighting climate change in his traditional televised speech on Austrian National Day, October 26.
Coronavirus
Anti-Vaccine Party MFG Positions Itself Across Austria
The anti-vaccine party entered the Upper Austrian assembly during the regional elections in September and now plans to run nationwide.
News
Austrian Army Game Offline Because of Right-Wing Symbol
A video of a soldier with a far-right symbol on his helmet found its way into an Austrian army online game. The game has been taken offline.
News
Vaccination Palace at the Hofburg: A “Little Jab” at the President’s Office
Around 300 people were vaxxed against corona on Austria's National Day - most of them for the first time - in the "vaccination palace."
Health
Criminal Law Discriminates Against HIV Patients, Experts Say
Austrian AIDS organisations have called for a de-stigmatisation of HIV-positive people in the criminal justice system.
News
“People Want to Change”: 70,000 Climate Tickets Sold
On Oct. 26, Austria-wide "climate tickets" for trains and other public transportation go into effect - with 70,000 sold already.
Culture
3 Museums in Vienna You Can Go to for Free
Austria takes pride in its museums. While some only open their doors “gratis” on certain days, others even go so far as never charging.
News
Austrian Labor Minister in Washington, D.C.
The Austrian labor minister was in Washington to discuss employment measures and pandemic recovery with his U.S. counterparts..
General
Military Parade on Heldenplatz to Be Held Virtually
As in the previous year, the military parade on Austrian national day will largely take place virtually due to the corona pandemic.
News
Spotlight on Afghanistan at Vienna Migration Conference
The sixth "Vienna Migration Conference" is all about migration partnerships and the focus of this years' discussions was Afghanistan.
News
Hollywood Star Matt Dillon at the 59th Viennale
od star Matt Dillon, who last caused shivers in Lars von Trier's "The House that Jack Built", is coming as a guest of honor.
News
Austrian President Congratulates Greenpeace
President Alexander Van der Bellen commended the efforts of Greenpeace in a Hofburg palace meeting held on Monday.
News
Austrian Foreign Minister Plans to Stay the Course
According to interviews with several daily newspapers Austria's new Foreign Minister Michael Linhart of center-right Austrian People's Party (ÖVP) plans continuity in Austrian foreign policy.
News
Schallenberg and Merkel: Close Cooperation Planned with Berlin
Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg and German Chancellor Angela Merkel had exchanged "in a friendly atmosphere" on topical issues with regard to the European Council this week.
News
Austrian Interior Minister Nehammer Visits the Netherlands for Talks About Migration
Interior Minister Karl Nehammer of the conservative People's Party (VP) travelled to the Netherlands on Friday for talks about migration.
News
Chancellor Schallenberg in Brussels: “The EU Is Part of My DNA”
Only three days after his swearing-in ceremony, the new chancellor Alexander Schallenberg travelled to Brussels for his first foreign visit.
News
Opposition Heavily Criticizes Budget Draft
Opposition says budget draft for 2022, presented by Finance Minister Gernot Blümel on Wednesday, is short-sighted and lacks ambition
News
Austrian Researchers Locate “Massive Fraud” in Russian Elections
Viennese scientists find "massive fraud" in Russian elections.
News
Austrian Justice Minister Discusses Rule of Law with EU Commissioner
Justice minister Zadić and the EU commissioner for Justice Reynders discussed rule of law this Monday amid the ruling party's corruption scandal.
General
Breathing New Life Into the Alcoholic Beverage Industry
With a gender pay gap of 19.9% in 2019, equality in the Austrian labour market seems like it’s still a long way off. But within the alcoholic beverage industry, these women are already reversing the trend.
General
ÖVP and Chancellor’s Offices Raided; Damning Texts Appear to Show Tabloid Was Paid to Run Falsified ...
Allegations are coming hard and fast in scandal already dubbed the “Ibiza of the ÖVP“: Chancellor Kurz and tabloid Österreich under extreme scrutiny
News
Inflation Rising, but Only Temporarily, Says National Bank
Inflation in Austria is expected to level off by 2022.
News
Winter is Coming
A cold weather forecast in Austria heralds rain - and the start of sweater season
News
Van Der Bellen on Official Visit to Warsaw
President Alexander Van der Bellen continued his Poland trip on Tuesday with an official visit to the capital, Warsaw.
News
New Austrian National Exhibition Opens in Auschwitz
The exhibition "Distance - Austria and Auschwitz" has been revised to spotlight Austrian complicity in the Holocaust.
Ad
Austrian Private School Ranked Among the World’s Top 100
Amadeus International School Vienna: An obsession with high-quality education and the arts.
News
“Red Box” Offers Free Tampons and Pads
Hit by "period poverty"? The Vienna pilot project "Red Box" seeks to offset the financial burden of menstrual hygiene on poor people.
News
Porr Fined 62 Million Euros, Highest Cartel Fine in History
The Austrian federal competition authority (BWB) has fined the Austrian construction giant, Porr, 62.35 million euros over cartel violations.
News
Climate Ticket for Austria-Wide Public Transport Launches
The climate ticket, which now also includes Vienna, Lower Austria and Burgenland province, will start on October 26.
General
Austria Gets 450 Million Euros in Corona Aid From EU
Austria has received the first installment of the corona aid from the EU, for its "development and resilience plan".
General
Unemployment in Austria Is Back on the Rise
The Austrian Ministry of labor has again recorded a slight increase in unemployment rates due to a high number of job training participants.
News
Communist Party Sweeps Graz Elections
The Communist Party won the Graz elections with 28.9%, the ÖVP plummeted to 25.7%, and Mayor Nagl (ÖVP) resigned.
News
Vaccine Skeptics Join Upper Austrian Parliament
In the preliminary final results on Monday morning, the vaccine skeptics were set to join the Upper Austrian parliament with seven percent, while the...
News
Austria Confirms Talks on Iran Nuclear Deal in Vienna
Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg (ÖVP) confirmed this week that Vienna would soon be hosting talks with Iran to revive the nuclear agreement of 2015.
General
Nuclear Power Not Sustainable, Says Gewessler in EU Dispute
Climate Minister Leonore Gewessler has presented a legal report stating that nuclear power must not be ranked as green and sustainable energy in the EU.
General
EU Infringement Proceedings Against Austria Over Terrorism
The EU guidelines on combating terrorism have punishments and sanctions for terrorism-related crimes as well as special regulations for victims. Aside from Austria, the EU Commission was also suing Finland, Croatia, and Luxembourg.
Fall 2021
The Bubbles in Your Bubbly
Sparkling wine used to be just for grand occasions ... now we can celebrate every day! The inside story of the bubbly.
General
Word of the Week: Fadesse [faˈdɛs]
The pandemic has contributed to our weight gain in many cases. Learn everything about that meaty cushion we carry around with us everyday!
News
Kurz Welcomes US Commitment to Multilateralism
After US president Joe Biden's speech at the UN General Debatein New York on Tuesday, Austrian chancellor Sebastian Kurz (ÖVP), says he is pleased that the "US has made a clear commitment to multilateralism".
General
Ski Jumper Gregor Schlierenzauer Ends Career
53 times World Cup record winner Gregor Schlierenzauer is ending his ski jumping career, announced the the 31-year-old Tyrolean on his own online blog on Tuesday.
News
Unemployment Rate in Austria Falls Below Pre-Crisis Levels
The unemployment rate in Austria continues to fall.
Coronavirus
First Ischgl Lawsuit for COVID-19 Damages Filed
More than a year after the Ischgl outbreak the first lawsuit was brought before the civil court last Friday.
The widow and son of a 72-year-old jo...
General
ORF Bosses – 13 New Directors at the Austrian Public Broadcaster
Under the designated ORF general director Roland Weissmann, ORF III managing director Eva Schindlauer will be the new finance director, ORF III chief...
News
Clumsy Start to the School Year Angers Teachers and Parents
The corona pandemic continues to make itself felt keenly in schools. Problems with corona tests, hard-to-reach healthcare authorities, and poor communication with parents led to a rocky start of the new school year.
News
Austrian Economy Noticeably Improved in 2021, Experts Say
Coming out of the corona crisis, economists have adjusted the forecasts for the Austrian economy upwards for 2021 and 2022.
News
Donation Campaign Set Up After Murder of Two Viennese Women From Somalia
A 28-year-old man confessed to have murdered his ex-wife and current girlfriend in Vienna while intoxicated with alcohol.
News
Kurz Wants to Support Italy in Tightening External European Borders
Chancellor Sebastian Kurz (ÖVP) stands by his declared tough line on immigration, while Austria has in fact welcomed more refugees than almost any other European country in the last 10 years. Civil initiatives and the opposition see much room for improvement when it comes to the government’s migration and integration policy.
News
Austrian Jobless Rate Falls, Almost Reaches Pre-Crisis Level
The Austrian unemployment continues to fall, with the pre-crisis level within reach.
Diplomacy
Iran to Give IAEA Access to Video Cameras in Nuclear Power Plants
The IAEA and the Iranian nuclear agency are making progress on monitoring the country’s nuclear program.
News
Vienna Tackles Long-Term Unemployment With Job Campaign
The City of Vienna and the AMS start a new initiative to bring unemployed people 50+ into employment.
General
Herz Fest – An International Block Party
A huge thank you to all 500 (!) attendees of Herz Fest the biggest International Block Party in town.
On September 10, we celebrated the award-wi...
General
Word of the Week: Sitzfleisch [ˈzɪt͡sˌflaɪ̯ʃ]
The pandemic has contributed to our weight gain in many cases. Learn everything about that meaty cushion we carry around with us everyday!
General
On the Trail of the Ottoman-Turks in Vienna
When touring Vienna’s Altstadt, it's enough to lift your head just a little to see the cannonballs catapulted over the city walls by the Ottomans centuries ago. And there are other ancient secrets in store.
General
Word of the Week: Reparaturseidel [ʁepaʁaˈtuːɐ̯ːzaɪ̯dl̩]
Here's everything you need to know about fighting hangovers the Austrian way, just drink more. It's like extinguishing fire with fire!
General
Word of the Week: Rauschkind [ʁaʊ̯ʃkɪnt]
What's a "Rauschkind"? Learn about the term's connection to alcohol with its side effects, and a medically dubious Austrian old wives’ tale,
Recommended
Our Top 5 Picks to Stream in Summer
As the pandemic winds down and television production ramps up, this summer sees a cavalcade of quality programming, including the return of an animated icon, a long-awaited spinoff of a beloved Marvel antihero, a star-studded musical parody, the next chapter in a hit French series and a Canadian cult comedy coming to Austrian streaming services.
Summer 2021
Between Languages, Whose Word is Law?
The challenges to interpreting laws and contracts in an international setting.
General
Word of the Week: tschechern [ˈt͡ʃɛçɐn]
What does "tschechern" mean? Learn about how the word derived from Yiddish, how it is connected to the thieves’ cant and alcoholism.
General
“We Ain’t There”: The New Russian-Designed Technique of Hybrid Warfare.
Russian aggression against Ukraine has recently entered its eighth year. Over 13 thousand people have been killed and 30 thousand have been wounded, in addition to over two million people displaced, their homes and infrastructure destroyed.
General
Word of the Week: Spompanadln [ʃpɔmpaˈnaːdl̩n]
Surrounded by annoying people and their Spompanadln? If one is making your life needlessly complicated, just tell them with Viennese "charme".
General
Word of the Week: Radler [ˈʁaːdlɐ]
What does Radler mean? Where does the word come from? What connects lemonade and a lack of beer to a German innkeeper and Austrian cycling?
General
Word of the Week: wuzeln [ˈvuːt͡sl̩n]
Twisting, turning, rolling: "wuzeln" has to do a lot with kinetics. Find out what it means and for which activities you can use the term.
General
Word of the Week: Holzpyjama [ˈhɔlt͡sˌpiˈd͡ʒaːma]
A typical Viennese euphemism related to death is "Holzpyjama". Learn about this humorous word used to describe “cashing in one’s chips.”
General
Word of the Week: Schnitzelpracker [ˈʃnɪt͡sl̩pʁakɐ]
Here you can learn about the Viennese slang word for the infamous, culinary tool, used in the violent process of preparing Wiener Schnitzels.
General
Word of the Week: Bummerl [ˈbʊmɐɺl]
Noun. A loss, originally in the central European card game, Schnapsen.
General
Word of the Week: fremdschämen [ˈfʁɛmtˌʃeːmən]
What does fremdschämen mean? We explain the perfect word to include in spiteful expressions thowards people with a lack of self-awareness.
General
Word of the Week: (sich) genieren [ʒeˈniːʁən]
What does genieren mean? Find out about how this term is tied to French language and how you can properly use it in context.