| Area Total | 83,871 sq km |
| Climate | temperate; continental, cloudy; cold winters with frequent rain and some snow in lowlands and snow in mountains; moderate summers with occasional showers |
| Natural Resources | oil, coal, lignite, timber, iron ore, copper, zinc, antimony, magnesite, tungsten, graphite, salt, hydropower |
| Imports | Germany 41.8%, Italy 5.8%, Switzerland 5.5%, Czech Republic 4.4%, Netherlands 4.2% (2017) – machinery and equipment, motor vehicles, chemicals, metal goods, oil and oil products, natural gas; foodstuffs |
| Exports | Germany 29.4%, US 6.3%, Italy 6.2%, Switzerland 5.1%, France 4.8%, Slovakia 4.8% (2017) – machinery and equipment, motor vehicles and parts, manufactured goods, chemicals, iron and steel, foodstuffs |
| Government | federal parliamentary republic |
| Capital | Vienna |
| Population | 8,793,370 (July 2018 est.) |
| Ethnicity | Austrian 80.8%, German 2.6%, Bosnian and Herzegovinian 1.9%, Turkish 1.8%, Serbian 1.6%, Romanian 1.3%, other 10% (2018 est.) |
| Language | German (official nationwide) 88.6%, Turkish 2.3%, Serbian 2.2%, Croatian (official in Burgenland) 1.6%, other (includes Slovene, official in southern Carinthia, and Hungarian, official in Burgenland) 5.3% (2001 est.) |
News about Austria
- Austrian property tycoon sentenced to two years in jail for fraud
by The Local Austria on October 15, 2025An Austrian court on Wednesday sentenced fallen property tycoon Rene Benko to two years in prison for insolvency fraud, marking the first conviction in a wide-ranging investigation into the collapse of his real-estate empire.
- How Vienna’s €2 billion austerity plan will affect your life
by The Local Austria on October 15, 2025Vienna’s city government is launching a €2 billion savings plan to reduce its record deficit. Officials promise fairness and stability, but higher fees, reduced subsidies and delayed projects will still affect daily life.
- Today in Austria: A roundup of the latest news on Wednesday
by The Local Austria on October 15, 2025Vienna tightens benefits and raises fees, Salzburg passes painful budget cuts, and Ikea fined over unlawful surveillance – plus more stories from Austria on Wednesday.
- German Expression of the Day: sich die Rosinen herauspicken
by The Local Austria on October 14, 2025Whether it’s about work, relationships or dessert, Germans have an expression for people who only take the best bits: sich die Rosinen herauspicken.
- The German words you need to understand Austria's childcare benefits
by The Local Austria on October 14, 2025From maternity protection to family allowances, Austria’s welfare system for parents is broad but often bureaucratic. Knowing and understanding the core terms in German can help you navigate it with less stress.
- German Word of the Day: das Kuschelwetter
by The Local Austria on October 13, 2025When the rain falls softly, the sky turns grey, and all you want to do is stay under a blanket with tea and a good film – that’s what Germans and Austrians call Kuschelwetter.
- Where to get a free flu vaccine in Vienna this season
by The Local Austria on October 13, 2025Vienna is offering free flu vaccinations for everyone aged six months and over, with appointments opening this week and two main vaccination centres ready for the 2025/26 season.
- NEW: Europe launches long-awaited EES biometric border checks
by The Local Austria on October 12, 2025From Sunday, non-EU travellers entering Europe's Schengen open-borders zone will gradually be photographed and fingerprinted at border crossings, as the European Union rolls out its much-delayed automated border checks.
- Pro-Palestinian rallies held across Europe as Gaza truce holds
by The Local Austria on October 12, 2025Pro-Palestinian protesters marched in several cities in Europe on Saturday, voicing cautious hope with a dose of scepticism as a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza entered its second day.
- How can Europe protect its skies against 'escalating' drone menace?
by The Local Austria on October 11, 2025Drones flying over airports, commercial sites and other sensitive infrastructure in Europe is a growing phenomenon which EU leaders blame on Russia, and preventing the disruption they cause will prove a tough technical challenge, observers say.
- 'Bountiful conversation': Why do the British love Vienna so much?
by The Local Austria on October 7, 2025British readers of the global travel magazine Conde Nast have voted Vienna... wait for it... the "friendliest city in Europe". So what do Brits love about a city famed by international residents for being... unfriendly.
- The secret language you need when taking elevators in Austria
by The Local Austria on May 22, 2025From cryptic lettered buttons to unguessable apartment numbers, elevators in Austria can feel like a puzzle— especially if you’re new to the country.
- What is Austria’s police emergency number and when should you call it?
by The Local Austria on February 10, 2025In Austria, you can reach the police by calling two different numbers. With millions of calls made each year, here’s how the emergency response system operates.
- The best Austrian ski resorts within easy reach of Vienna
by The Local Austria on December 19, 2024Looking to hit the slopes without travelling too far from Vienna? Here you can check some of the best ski resorts within two hours of the city, perfect for quick day trips or weekend getaways.
- Does Austria have an official heating season or heating limit?
by The Local Austria on December 17, 2024Do you need to wait for a specific date to start heating your home in Austria? Or is there a limit to how much you can have te heating on? Here’s what tenants and landlords need to know about staying warm this winter.
