Pickerl, Passport, PV Systems: Here There Will Be Less Bureaucracy in the Future

The federal government has agreed on an initial package of measures for deregulation. Among the many individual measures decided in the Council of Ministers on Wednesday are the extension of inspection intervals for cars, the abolition of various reporting obligations and the approval requirement for photovoltaic systems, as well as increases in accounting limits, as announced by Chancellor Christian Stocker (ÖVP) before the government meeting.

Government Agreed on Deregulation in Several Areas

Stocker spoke of a special Council of Ministers, where, unlike usual, new regulations and laws are not being introduced, but rather regulations are being abolished and streamlined. "Bureaucracy burdens the economy and is an annoyance for citizens," said the Chancellor. As examples of the relief for citizens and businesses, he mentioned the increase in the threshold for double-entry bookkeeping from 700,000 to 1 million euros, as well as simplifications in applying for a passport, where already submitted documents do not need to be resubmitted.

"Making People's Lives Easier"

The measures will make people's lives easier, said Vice Chancellor Andreas Babler (SPÖ). At the same time, the anti-fraud package decided last week will tighten the rules where they are exploited by the privileged, he emphasized. "We stand for a state that is strong where necessary and steps back where it has unnecessarily complicated the everyday lives of people and businesses," said Babler.

NEOS leader Beate Meinl-Reisinger thanked the citizens who submitted over 4,000 reports to the office for deregulation and deregulation concerns (SEDA) established in October at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The work is not yet finished, she asked for further suggestions. Simplification and deregulation must also be further advanced at the EU level, demanded the Foreign Minister.

Package Based on Proposals from Entrepreneurs and Citizens

The State Secretary responsible for deregulation, Josef Schellhorn (NEOS), spoke of an "enormously important step" that shows the government's ability to act. The package was created in a 'fundamentally democratic process: by listening,' emphasized Schellhorn, referring to around 300 conversations he had with entrepreneurs and the more than 4,000 suggestions from citizens.

Among the 113 points listed in the Council of Ministers' presentation are some already announced projects such as the acceleration of environmental impact assessment procedures. Some other measures are still vaguely formulated, such as the establishment of expert groups to simplify employee taxation and payroll accounting, and a deregulation of the Waste Management Act is envisaged for 2026. In addition, there are numerous specific smaller measures such as the abolition of various reporting obligations and approval requirements, for example in the construction of photovoltaic systems and charging stations, or the introduction of a digital guest sheet for hoteliers.

The projects should be implemented as quickly as possible through legislative resolutions, regulations, and decrees, it was emphasized. The draft laws from his ministry would be sent for review next week, according to Minister of Economic Affairs Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer (ÖVP).

The Deregulation Package in Detail

Major Procedures to be Simplified

The core of the package is the acceleration of procedures, especially for industrial and infrastructure projects. The General Administrative Procedures Act (AVG) is to be modernized for major procedures. The amendment is expected to come into force on January 1, 2026. In the future, for example, investigative procedures in certain areas can be concluded. Also, notifications in major procedures should be simplified through digital edict publication instead of individual notifications in major procedures with as few as 50 participants instead of the previous 100 participants.

In parallel, changes in environmental and facility law are planned. The Environmental Impact Assessment Act (UVP) is to be simplified and streamlined, the Waste Management Act (AWG) deregulated and revised. A one-stop-shop is planned in the Ministry of Economic Affairs, which will combine construction and operational facility procedures - "one project, one procedure, one decision," as stated in the document. The federal states are recommended to form expert pools for approval procedures to deploy experts across state borders.

Business Registration Also via Smartphone in the Future

The digitization of administrative processes is to be significantly expanded. A central element is "GISA Express": From January 1, 2026, business registration should be fully digital and also possible via smartphone. Energy performance certificates are to be transferred to a nationwide uniform database, and facility procedures are to be conducted electronically throughout Austria. For accommodation establishments, a digital guest directory ("Digital Guest Sheet") is planned, and guest registration should be paperless.

The government is also relying on digital standards in the tax sector. With a "Standard Audit File" (SAF-T), companies should be able to electronically transmit accounting data in a standardized form to the tax administration, making audits more efficient. The entire tax procedure for fees and traffic taxes - such as real estate transfer tax or flight tax - is to be converted to electronic procedures.

Bookkeeping Thresholds to be Raised

For small and medium-sized enterprises, the package provides relief in tax law. The turnover thresholds for bookkeeping obligations under the Commercial Code (UGB) and the Federal Tax Code (BAO) are to be raised so that only larger companies have to keep detailed books. Specifically, the existing turnover thresholds for bookkeeping obligations in Section 189 UGB are to be increased from 700,000 and 1 million euros to 1 million and 1.5 million euros, and the turnover threshold in Section 125 BAO from 700,000 to 1 million euros.

The thresholds for simplified impact assessments for new laws are to increase from 20 to 50 million euros, in order to focus detailed examinations on truly large projects.

One-Stop-Shop for Subsidies

The effort for subsidies should also decrease. An interdepartmental subsidy task force is working on a federal subsidy strategy with common principles and a unified checklist for new programs. In parallel, a nationwide digital one-stop-shop for the application and settlement of subsidies is planned. The sustainability reporting according to the EU directive (CSRD) is to be implemented without additional national information obligations.

PV Systems and E-Charging Stations to be Approval-Free in the Future

It is also new that photovoltaic systems and e-charging stations for businesses will become completely approval-free, and the mandatory carrying of a certified concession certificate in freight transport will be eliminated. In commercial and corporate law, the acceptance of English-language documents will be expanded to avoid costly translations.

Intervals for Car Inspections Increase to 4-2-2-2-1

For car inspections, the intervals for renewal are to be extended from the current 3-2-1 years to 4-2-2-2-1 years, explained Transport Minister Peter Hanke (SPÖ). Only from the tenth year, and no longer after the fifth year following registration, is an annual inspection necessary. Historical registration confirmations will also be retrievable via ID-Austria in the future.

(APA/Red)

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