Vienna Lets Several Fees Climb Up

Vienna is relying on a whole bundle of measures to consolidate the budget. Many of these have already been announced. However, the end of the line has not yet been reached. As the office of City Councillor for Finance Barbara Novak (SPÖ) informed the APA, a number of further fee increases are on the horizon. These include increases in administrative fees, the dog tax, and the rates for ticket sales in public spaces.

Administrative and Usage Fees Affected

At City Hall, it is pointed out that many fees have not been adjusted for decades. At the same time, costs have increased significantly. Now, a collective amendment, which is to be passed in the next state parliament, will counteract this. For example, the possible maximum limit for administrative fees will be raised from 1,500 to 4,000 euros. Specific rates in the administrative area are not included in the law; they will be determined later by regulation. In total, around 300 items are expected to be affected, including office or commission fees.

There are also changes to the Usage Fee Act. Those who want to place goods in front of their shop, store building materials on the sidewalk, or erect structures will have to dig deeper into their pockets in the future. Those who usually sell concert tickets in costumes from the Mozart era at tourist hotspots will also be charged. Instead of the previous approximately 170 euros, they will have to pay almost 350 euros per month in the future if they operate in public spaces.

Dog Fees Unchanged for Several Decades

The maximum amounts under the Dog Tax Act will also be increased. In the future, the first dog will cost 120 euros annually instead of the previous 72.67 euros. For each additional animal, 160 euros will be due instead of the previous 109 euros. However, in 2027, a uniform rate of 120 euros for all dogs is planned. Exemptions - for example, for low-income individuals or for dogs from animal shelters - are provided. Higher fees, however, will apply to so-called list dogs.

According to the Novak office, the dog fees were last set in 1989 and have not been changed since. The value adjustment is necessary to cover costs, it was asserted. Reference is made to more than 200 dog zones and exercise areas, some of which are equipped with water connections. Almost 4,000 poop bag dispensers are also available. "This infrastructure must be maintained and financed," it was stated in a statement sent to the APA.

Sewer Connections and Sports Promotion Contribution

Charges for sewer and water connections are being increased, as is the Vienna sports promotion contribution. The tax rate for the latter is being raised by a quarter to 12.5 percent. The fee is calculated from the ticket price. Those who wish to bet on sports results are also facing an increase. The fee for betting terminals is being increased from 350 to 525 euros, which is a 50 percent rise.

It is also planned that many of the charges, which were not previously subject to this, can be valorized in the future. This allows for regular adjustments to the consumer price index. The current measures, it is assured, would not be increased across the board or comprehensively, but based on specific cost developments. Significant social exemptions would also remain, it is assured.

The amendment will be passed in the state parliament this year. It is expected at City Hall that the increases will come into effect in March or April 2026 after various deadlines have expired. The estimated additional revenue is quantified at a minimum of 65.5 million euros per year. The tariffs that still require regulations are not yet included here.

Opposition Criticizes

Criticism of the measure came from the opposition. The People's Party sees a continuation of the "red-pink fee frenzy." SPÖ and NEOS are relying solely on revenue-side measures instead of finally questioning their own expenses, criticized state party chairman Markus Figl: "The SPÖ-NEOS city government is already in over its head." The city administration has been refusing genuine reforms for years.

The further fee increases would ruin Vienna's economy and drive the population into poverty, warned the Freedom Party. Vienna's businesses are increasingly struggling to survive, and more and more families are having to count every euro twice, criticized FPÖ Vienna leader Dominik Nepp and the blue finance spokesperson Ulrike Nittmann in a statement. At the same time, the red-pink budget gap will not even begin to be filled, said Nepp.

The Greens criticized that the city government is once again fueling inflation. "With the drastic increase in public transport fares, SPÖ and NEOS have already massively fueled inflation," said the two chairpersons of the Vienna Greens, Judith Pühringer and Peter Kraus. As with the cuts, Red-Pink is also proceeding planlessly with the fee increase and is making a wide detour around social justice. It was said that one could start more fairly and socially accurately with charges on vacancies, second homes, and rezoning.

(APA/Red)

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