A new survey on Austria’s lingering schilling mindset and a major EU asylum reform lead today’s news, plus more stories from Austria on Tuesday.
Survey shows many Austrians still convert prices into schillings
A third of Austrians still think in schillings more than 20 years after the introduction of the euro, according to Der Standard. Ten percent of respondents said they often convert amounts, 23 percent do so occasionally, and 28 percent rarely, while 39 percent never think about the former currency. Among under-30s, 72 percent reported never converting.
Researchers noted that older age groups and people who feel generally pessimistic are most likely to convert prices. Market’s David Pfarrhofer said the trend mirrors Germany, where many still compare amounts to the former D-Mark.
The study links frequent conversion with lower education and a tendency to support parties that opposed the introduction of the euro.
EU states agree on major asylum reform beginning mid-2026
EU interior ministers have agreed on a major overhaul of asylum rules, including a mechanism to redistribute 21,000 asylum seekers from Greece, Italy, Spain, and Cyprus from June 2026, according to Die Presse. Member states can instead make financial contributions of up to €420 million. Austria is exempt from the solidarity requirement due to its recent migration pressure.
Several key regulations must still be negotiated with the European Parliament, though major changes are considered unlikely. The reform includes an EU-wide list of safe countries of origin, faster processing of claims, and clearer rules for return procedures.
A new legal basis for agreements with third countries will also allow asylum seekers to be transferred to external processing centres under defined human-rights conditions.
Tirol mayors call for new category of secondary residences
Mayors from Kitzbühel, Kirchberg, Jochberg and St. Johann are urging reforms to Tirol’s strict rules on holiday homes, saying current legislation has created conflict, accusations and economic damage, according to Kurier. They argue the existing 8-percent cap and long-standing freeze on new permits have led to surveillance, disputes, and a loss of community cohesion.
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The mayors propose introducing a “qualified secondary residence” category, defined by criteria such as vehicle registration, participation in local life, and minimum stay requirements. They say this could allow controlled settlement, generate tax revenue, and reduce tensions between residents and long-term visitors.
They warned that the current system discourages guests, hurts local businesses, and fails to create affordable housing for locals.
Kindergarten attendance linked to stronger adult reading skills
Adults who attended kindergarten show significantly better reading skills than those who did not, and the gap has widened since 2011, according to Der Standard. New analyses of the OECD’s PIAAC survey show reading scores rising with each additional year of preschool education.
Researchers found adults with no kindergarten experience scored 236 points, compared with 267 points for those with one year and 279 points for those with three. The share of people who never attended kindergarten has fallen from nearly one-third in 2011 to one-fifth in the latest survey.
Statistik Austria experts said that “no kindergarten attendance” increasingly signals social disadvantage and is closely tied to later educational outcomes.
What’s happening in Austria today
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Parliament begins its week with the Economic Committee meeting at 9 am. Members are expected to discuss upcoming government proposals on deceptive packaging, price labelling rules, and retail shrinkflation. They may also examine the Cheap Electricity Act, a new Electricity Industry Act, an Energy Poverty Definition Act, and amendments that give the government powers to intervene in energy prices. A bill extending the prohibition of abuse in the energy sector until 2031 is also planned.
At 5 pm, Parliamentary Director Harald Dossi hosts the presentation of the Oral History eyewitness project. The event highlights more than 123 interviews documenting political life since the 1960s, with introductory remarks, expert contributions, and a panel featuring Heide Schmidt, Ingrid Thurnher, and Sonja Puntscher Riekmann.
A background discussion on digitalisation in the health system takes place at 2 pm. State Secretary for Health Ulrike Königsberger-Ludwig and SPÖ health spokesperson Rudi Silvan will address topics including diagnostic coding, ELGA data storage periods, and the digital parent-child passport.
Tuesday is a normal working and school day nationwide following the Mariä Empfängnis holiday on Monday.
Weather forecasts indicate widespread fog and high fog across the lowlands and the Waldviertel. Above roughly 600 to 900 metres, sunshine is expected. Morning temperatures range from −2C to 7C, increasing to 5C to 15C in the afternoon, depending on fog and sun exposure. Mountain weather remains mild with +7C at 2000 metres and moderate to brisk westerly winds.
Avalanche services report level-3 warnings in parts of Tirol, where conditions require increased caution.
Vocabulary
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der Schilling – former Austrian currency
die Verpackung – packaging
der Freizeitwohnsitz – recreational residence
der Kindergarten – preschool or kindergarten
der Nebel – fog
If you have any questions about life in Austria, ideas for articles, or news tips for The Local, you can contact us at news@thelocal.at or leave a comment below.