Start signal for "Device Saver Bonus" in December

New name, changed criteria: After the repair bonus expired in May 2025, it is being relaunched and is now called "Device Saver Premium". It will start in December and, like its predecessor, aims to make repairs more attractive. However, the eligibility has been restricted to a narrower household area. The details of the framework conditions and funding levels will be decided in the coming weeks, according to the Ministry of the Environment.

It has already been determined what is no longer eligible for funding. "Some categories such as bicycles including e-bikes and mobile phones are therefore no longer part of the funding campaign. Luxury and wellness devices such as foot spas and massage chairs or entertainment devices like karaoke systems are also no longer funded," the ministry announced.

End for Repair Bonus in May

The reasoning states: "In order to offer the premium long-term and without interruptions, new criteria were developed after the expiration of the repair bonus and the device categories were specifically focused on the household." Environment Minister Norbert Totschnig (ÖVP) emphasized that with the "Device Saver Premium" "sustainable action becomes more attractive" and it enables devices that would otherwise end up in the trash to be repaired and reused. For the Greens, however, the new repair bonus is "another painful cut by Environment Minister Totschnig in the area of environmental and climate protection," criticized environmental spokesperson Lukas Hammer.

The repair bonus ended on May 26 of this year. The funds allocated for it were exhausted, the Ministry of the Environment announced at the time. Already issued repair vouchers retained their validity and could be redeemed within the three-week period at a partner company. In May, Totschnig emphasized that the program would be evaluated so that the money "can be used even more specifically and efficiently in the future".

Numerous Vouchers Redeemed

Since the start of the funding in 2022, around 1.7 million vouchers for the repair, service, or maintenance of electronic devices and bicycles have been redeemed. Smartphones, dishwashers, washing machines, and coffee machines were particularly often repaired by the approximately 6,000 partner companies. As part of the 2026 budget planning, 30 million euros per year were allocated for the bonus. Regarding details, the Ministry of the Environment stated in response to an APA inquiry that these still need to be decided by the responsible commission.

The repair bonus was launched in April 2022 by the then Environment Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens). Half of the repair costs were covered, up to a maximum of 200 euros per device.

(APA/Red)

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