New year, new rules: these changes affect you in 2025!

New year, new rules: these changes affect you in 2025!

A new turn of the year brings fresh changes for the Austrians! From January 1, 2025, not only will salaries and grants be increased, but there are also significant innovations in the financial sector. According to a new EU regulation, which also applies to domestic credit institutions, banks must enable immediate transfer within ten seconds-and free of charge. Consumers can therefore look forward to free real-time transfers that will accelerate banking, such as 5min.at reports .

Especially for employees are also on changes. The already known home office flat rate remains, but is more flexible. From this year, home office will be renamed "Telework", which means that employees no longer need to work from home. Whether in the café or in your own office - the flat rate of 300 euros annually for up to 100 telecommunications days remains valid. This is a clear advantage for many who no longer have to bind their work to a permanent place, such as sparkasse.de . The tax advantages are also not to be neglected: the home office flat rate can be up to 1,260 euros per year, which means a significant tax decrease.

drastic changes in waste separation and in the pledge system

Another big topic is the introduction of a uniform pledge system in Austria. From January 1, 2025, a deposit of 25 cents will be charged for many beverage packaging, which should protect the environment - but the money can be brought back. Environmental protection and recycling are in the foreground, while the revision of waste separation should also ensure more transparency, since plastic and metal now belong uniformly in the yellow sack. This affects all households and is intended to help increase the recycling quota, as has been done in some federal states.

In addition, with regard to the pension increase, it will be necessary that women who were born between 1965 have to stay longer in professional life. This group of people must work up to the age of 61.5 years, which is in the context of the gradual increase in the pension age. The current trends show that changes in different areas of life have become essential and will affect the financial situation of the Austrians.