15 billion in two years: Budget renovation will be a strength of strength

Budget chapter The government program has a lot of principle hope. Clear is the need and thus the goal of Savings of 15 billion euros for 2025 and 2026, with which one EU deficit procedure including the loss of image for Austria.

But: there is still no finished budget, it has to be negotiated first. There is a risk that the already weak economy deteriorates again – i.e. must be improved.

In addition, many savings projects are only vague, so there are tough detailed negotiations. Agenda Austria boss Franz Schellhorn Therefore: “With the measures on the revenue, it was very quick to agree, everything is in suspension on the output side. There are all declarations of intent ”.

Also Wifo-budgetpertin margit branchs stripes speaks of a “very considerable extent” in the need for consolidation. A budget should now quickly be negotiated and decided against the uncertainty in the population and the economy. It is not yet clear to you where exactly one billion can be saved in the ministries of the ministries or which specific funding of the austerity.

More income

What you already know is the following: The three-way coalition, among other things, brings a bank tax, extends over-profit tax for energy companies, increases the endowment tax, tobacco tax and real estate transfer tax for large real estate transactions or the federal fees for smaller things such as passport and driver’s license. The health insurance contribution for pensioners should also increase.

Less expenses

In addition to the factual expenditure of the ministries and the funding, the climate monus and educational leave.

What is new is that the cold progression, a kind of annual, creeping tax increase, will in future only be compensated for two thirds. To do this, the tax levels are adapted to inflation, but not in full.

All in all, Schratzenstaller sees a “realistic program”, meant as the necessary mix of savings and offensive measures.

In view of the great deficit of almost four percent of GDP, however, the offensive part is inevitable, partly under the budget reservation or is only planned for the years 2026/2027 ff.

The prominent example here is the ancillary wage costs required by ÖVP and NEOS for months. It is scheduled to come to the family load compensation fund in the form of a contribution reduction, but only in 2027. A number of steps in the pension area to raise the factual starting age are so far only projects for the future.

According to estimates, around 500 million euros actually remain for immediate offensive steps. The increase in the AMS budget with 200 million euros is probably the largest position.