A hiking path in East Tyrol is being diverted after cow attacks and a planned extension of military service now looks unlikely to start in January 2027, plus more stories from Austria on Wednesday.
East Tyrol hiking path to be diverted after cow attacks
A popular hiking path along the Isel in East Tyrol is to be diverted after cow attacks at the weekend, according to ORF. The East Tyrol tourism association said a sign for the diversion was due to be put up on Tuesday afternoon, with the affected section redirected via the cycle path.
The cows are also due to be moved for now to a fenced pasture. Tourism association chairman Franz Theurl said there should not be a general closure of grazing areas, as alpine pastures and agricultural land are part of the cultural landscape in East Tyrol.
The Landwirtschaftskammer (Chamber of Agriculture), again urged people to follow safety rules around grazing animals. Provincial veterinary director Matthias Vill recommended keeping a respectful distance of at least 10 metres from cattle where possible, especially when walking with a dog.
READ ALSO: What Austria’s Supreme Court ruling on a cow trampling means for hikers
Longer military service unlikely to start in January 2027
A possible extension of Austria’s Wehrpflicht (compulsory military service) is now unlikely to take effect on January 1st 2027, according to Der Standard. Coalition talks on reforming military service have been dragging on for almost 4 months without an agreement.
A commission set up by Defence Minister Klaudia Tanner had recommended extending military service from six to eight months, plus two months of military exercises. Zivildienst, or civilian service, would rise from 9 to 12 months under the proposal.
Legal deadlines are part of the reason for the delay. Under the Military Act, there must generally be at least six months between the fitness assessment and the call-up order, followed by another four weeks before entry into service.
READ ALSO: How does Austria’s mandatory military service work?
Greenpeace calls for better rural public transport
More than half of people in Europe do not use public transport regularly, with gaps in services, high prices and poor accessibility among the reasons, according to Greenpeace. A new study commissioned by the environmental organisation found clear weaknesses in Austria’s rural public transport network.
In Austria, almost 28 percent of people in rural areas criticise connections that are too infrequent, timetables that do not suit them, or a lack of public transport options altogether. In cities, the figure is 1.5 percent.
Greenpeace is calling for a major expansion of public transport across Austria. It said regional railways that have been closed should be reactivated by the provinces and rural timetables should be made denser.
READ ALSO: EXPLAINED: How does Austria’s Klimaticket work?
Government backs support fund for single parents
Austria’s Council of Ministers has approved a draft law to create a Unterstützungsfonds (support fund), for single parents, according to the SPÖ. Parliament is expected to deal with the law in June, with the fund due to start on July 1st.
The fund is aimed at single parents with children who do not receive child maintenance or maintenance advances (alimony payments) because the person liable for payment cannot pay or cannot be reached. It will also cover some single parents with half-orphans who have no entitlement to survivors’ benefits, as well as single parents in an acute crisis after violence by the person liable for maintenance.
For 2026, the monthly payment is €240 per child where no maintenance or maintenance advance is paid. People affected by violence in acute crisis situations may also receive a one-off start-up payment of up to €4,000.
READ ALSO: What benefits are you entitled to in Austria if you have children?
Worth reading
If you’re planning travel in Europe, our story on how to get a European Health Insurance Card in Austria explains what the EHIC is, who issues it, and why the back of your Austrian e-card matters.
Members get access to this and other practical guides, explainers and in-depth stories on The Local Austria, including articles that help make everyday bureaucracy and healthcare easier to understand.
What’s happening in Austria today
Austria’s Nationalrat meets in Vienna from 9am, opening with an Aktuelle Stunde on asylum policy. MPs are due to deal with Austria’s implementation of the EU Asylum and Migration Pact, including residence law, asylum procedures and family reunification.
Statistics Austria is scheduled to release April 2026 inflation figures today, including the consumer price index and harmonised consumer price index. Final March inflation figures are also due.
READ ALSO: Austria suspends family reunification with immediate effect
Transport disruption continues on several routes. The A10 Tauern motorway is closed northbound between Knoten Pongau and Pass Lueg until May 23rd at 6am, while ÖBB works are affecting the southern route between Vienna, Graz and Villach until May 29th.
Weather is expected to be unsettled, with clouds, some sunshine and scattered showers, especially in the Alps and Upper Austria later in the day. Highs are forecast between 14C and 23C, with north-westerly gusts of 30 to 50 km/h.
The Architekturtage festival opens in Vienna today with a free event at the Architekturzentrum Wien from 5:30 pm to 10pm. Austria also play Switzerland at the Ice Hockey World Championship in Zurich at 4:20 pm.
READ ALSO: 3.2 percent: Why is inflation rising in Austria?
Coming up later on The Local
We’ll also look at what Vienna’s latest transport figures say about getting around the city without owning a car.
Vocabulary
die Wehrpflicht – compulsory military service
der Zivildienst – civilian service, usually done as an alternative to military service
der Unterstützungsfonds – support fund
der Nationalrat – Austria’s lower house of parliament
der Pfingstmontag – Pentecost Monday, a public holiday in Austria
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.