Fee Shock: What Is Getting More Expensive Now

On Tuesday, the double budget for the years 2025 and 2026 was presented. About one-third of the savings will come from revenue, resulting in several things becoming more expensive, such as the fees for the e-card or those for documents like passports, driver's licenses, etc. However, since subsidies for the climate ticket are also being reduced, one will have to dig deeper into their pockets for it in the future. Here is an overview of the price increases that are coming our way:

Climate ticket becomes significantly more expensive

For the climate ticket, not only is the free climate ticket for those over 18 being abolished, but a price increase above the inflation rate is also being implemented - in two steps, on August 1, 2025, and January 1, 2026. From August, the climate ticket for all of Austria will cost 1,300 instead of the previous 1,095 euros (reduced 975 instead of 821 euros). From January 1, the price will then rise to 1,400 euros (reduced 1,050 euros).

E-card fee will be increased

The fee for the e-card service charge will also be increased, almost doubling from 13.80 to 25 euros. Additionally, it will be extended to pensioners. Until now, this group was exempt.

Costs for important documents are rising

The fees for documents such as passports, driver's licenses, and identity cards will also be significantly increased. The fee rates are to be raised by the inflation since the last full fee valorization in 2011, which means an increase of a total of 48.2 percent. Thus, the issuance of a passport will cost 112 euros instead of the previous 75.90 from July 1. The costs for the driver's license will rise from 60.50 to 90.00 euros, and for the issuance of an identity card, one will have to pay 91.00 instead of 61.50 euros in the future.

Name changes or applications for citizenship will also become more expensive. If you want to change your name in the future, you will now have to pay 567.00 euros instead of the previous 382.60. For an application for the granting of citizenship, you now pay 163 instead of 125.60 euros. The issuance of a firearms ownership card will increase from 74.40 to 110 euros, the firearms pass from 118.40 to 175. Consular fees will also be adjusted.

Adjustments in Betting and Smoking

Smokers will also have to dig deeper into their pockets. Tax adjustments are being made to the tobacco tax, which now also applies to heated tobacco. The betting fee was also increased in April from two to five percent.

Farewell to Tax Exemption for Photovoltaics and E-Cars

Since April, more money must be spent on the purchase and installation of photovoltaic modules. This is because the VAT exemption expired.

Also, in April, the exemption for electric vehicles from the motor-related insurance tax was removed. This is now based on the average tax level of cars with combustion engines.

Court Fees Increase

Court fees increased by 23 percent in April. Affected are the fixed fee rates such as flat fees in civil court proceedings up to an assessment basis of 350,000 euros, fees for consensual divorces, registration and submission fees in commercial register matters, fees for land register extracts, or fees for commercial register inquiries. Submissions to the Constitutional or Administrative Court have increased by 100 euros to 340.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.