From energy cost relief to a freeze on family allowance and childcare benefits via German language learning reforms in schools, international families in Austria are affected by several changes in 2026.
Families based in Austria need to be aware of several reforms that will affect their life in 2026.
Here’s a rundown of the main changes and plans to know.
Family allowance and childcare benefits freeze
For the first time in several years, Austria’s government plans to freeze inflation-linked increases in family allowances.
Family benefits have been automatically increased annually for inflation since January 1st, 2023.
The increases were 5.8 percent for 2023, 9.7 percent for 2024, and 4.6 percent for 2025. In 2026 and 2027, the amounts will remain at the 2025 level, the Austrian government decided.
Families in Austria currently receive around €138 to €200 per child per month in family allowance (Familienbeihilfe), depending on the child’s age (with a €70.90 monthly child tax credit usually paid alongside it). Childcare benefit (Kinderbetreuungsgeld) is available either as a flat-rate payment or as an income-related benefit.
READ ALSO: Familienbeihilfe: How can I get Austria’s family allowance payments?
The freeze is part of an austerity package to curb spending and debt.
In 2025, Austria faced a budget deficit of around 4.5 percent of GDP in 2025, well above the EU’s 3 percent guideline. In response, the coalition government, made up of the Social Democrats (SPÖ), liberals (NEOS) and the People’s Party (ÖVP), pledged a series of cost-cutting measures.
The freeze on inflation adjustments for family benefits alone is expected to save the government around €150 million in 2026 and €300 million per year from 2027.
READ ALSO: Austria plans family benefit freeze amid austerity push
Lower household energy costs
Families should see lower energy costs in 2026 as part of a new plan put forward by ministers.
In November, the government announced its €1 billion package aimed at reducing energy prices, curbing inflation and boosting the economy.
As part of the Cheap Electricity Act (Günstiger-Strom-Gesetz), grid costs are to be kept to no more than 1 percent above the inflation rate from next year.
READ ALSO: How Austria wants to curb inflation and cut electricity price increases
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Under the proposals, which are yet to go through the full parliamentary process, households will see financial relief to help with rising bills. People with low incomes would also receive access to a low-cost electricity tariff.
Faster health appointments
Families in Austria should see improved healthcare services next year, at least according to government proposals.
The Austrian coalition is pledging to improve the health system and make sure people have faster access to medical appointments.
Chancellor Christian Stocker said the key goals were to offer people in Austria quicker doctor’s appointments, faster diagnoses and to reduce waiting times for operations.
A wider healthcare reform plan with proposed implementation by mid‑2026 was already agreed between the federal and state governments earlier in 2025, with a focus on digital services, primary and outpatient care and structural changes.
Migration and family reunification
Austria has been tightening rules around migration and asylum – and this will continue into 2026.
One of the most significant measures has been pausing family reunification for refugees.
Under this measure, which runs until the end of September 2026, applications can still be submitted, but authorities are no longer bound by the usual six-month decision deadline while this rule is in force. In effect, the clock on affected family reunion cases can be stopped for a period.
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Note that family reunification for other third-country nationals under the regular residence law continues to operate within existing quotas and rules.
READ ALSO:
Bid to improve students’ German language skills
Austria is keen to promote better integration and German language among the population, particularly children. As part of that, families may be affected by a few changes in the pipeline.
For example, from summer 2026, some pupils who don’t have the required German language level may be required to attend summer school.
What will change for children learning German in Austrian schools? Photo by Taylor Flowe on Unsplash
The details are still being worked out – and the proposal is still going through the legislative process – but under latest drafts of the plan, it appears that children already in German support classes (Deutschförderklassen) will initially be affected. Compulsory attendance would be linked to the student’s progress.
At the same time, schools are to gain more freedom in deciding how they support pupils who are still learning German.
Schools will be able to keep separate German support classes or design an approved in-house concept that integrates language learning into regular classroom lessons.
READ ALSO: What will change in Austrian schools to help foreign children learn German?
Meanwhile, Vienna plans to expand language support in its kindergartens, with extra specialist teachers starting in 2026.
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Possible tougher language requirements for citizenship
Another change that’s expected in the coming years: the coalition government wants to tighten rules around getting Austrian citizenship, with plans to raise the required German level from B1 to B2 for the standard naturalisation route.
At the moment, having proof of B1 German is sufficient for most naturalisations, with a shorter six-year route for those who already have B2.
There is no firm timescale for this change, though. Keep an eye on The Local Austria for updates.
READ ALSO: The immigration changes that await foreigners in Austria in 2026 and beyond
Travel ticket hikes
As The Local has been reporting, the cost of travel tickets in Austria has been going up.
Tickets for services with national train operator ÖBB recently went up by an average of 3.5 percent.
And from January 1st, the cost of the KlimaTicket Ö, which allows users to travel across all modes of public transport in Austria, is going up to €1,400 per year, with the family surcharge rising to €140. This extra cost allows the main ticket holder to take up to four children with them while travelling.
READ ALSO: The big changes for travel to and from Austria in 2026
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In Vienna, families – and others – will have to dig deeper into their pockets to travel round the city. From 2026, an annual public transport ticket will cost €467 (€461 for the digital version). A single ticket will cost €3.20, while the discounted single ticket for children will cost €1.60 (digital versions are cheaper).
Meanwhile, the city is bringing in two new discounted annual passes:
- An annual pass for young people under the age of 26, regardless of education or occupation, replaces the semester pass.
- A special annual pass for people with disabilities.
- Both tickets will cost €300 per year.
Keep in mind that children under the age of six travel free, while during school holidays, on Sundays and public holidays, all children up to age 15 can use Wiener Linien services at no cost.
READ ALSO: How Austria’s public transport fare rises will hit commuters and daytrippers
Pension reforms
Another change that will affect families is pension reforms, coming into force from January 2026.
Retirees who receive pensions of up to €2,500 a month will see the amount fully adjusted for inflation. With inflation calculated at 2.7 percent, that means these pensions will increase in line with rising prices.
Those who receive pensions above €2,500 a month, will receive a flat increase of €67.50 per month.