Social fraud in Austria: 72 % foreigners cause millions of millions!

Social fraud in Austria: 72 % foreigners cause millions of millions!

Wien, Österreich - In Austria, social service fraud is increasingly perceived as a pressing problem. According to a parliamentary request from Peter Wurm, a Member of the National Council of the FPÖ on May 31, 2025, the proportion of foreign perpetrators in the area of social fraud is alarming. ÖVP Interior Minister Gerhard Karner reported that the number of suspects rose to 5,007 people in 2024. Of these, 3,607 people are foreign citizens, while 1,400 are Austrians. This development could have serious consequences for the Austrian welfare state, which is faced with major damage.

The total loss of social service fraud is terrifying 23.36 million euros. In Vienna alone, the capital, damage of over 11 million euros was incurred, which is almost half of the total sum. Wurm said that social fraud was "out of control" and the welfare state was exploited. He criticized that almost three quarters of the suspects come from abroad and described this as system failure. Despite an impressive educational rate of over 99 percent, no political will to act against this grievance is recognizable.

increase in cases and effects

In addition to the general figures, the Austrian finance minister Magnus Brunner emphasized the need for controls against the abuse of social benefits. A task force in the Ministry of the Interior, which has been dealing with social service fraud for five years, has determined a total loss of 89 million euros during this time. In the first half of 2023, more than 2,200 cases were registered, which corresponds to an increase of 28 percent compared to the previous year. During this period, the determined damage was 14 million euros. It is striking that 72 percent of the suspects are foreign citizens, with the most common nationalities that include Syria, Afghanistan, Ukraine, Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

The report also describes some of the most serious fraud cases: a man deceptive visual impairment over six years, which caused a damage of 900,000 euros. Another received emergency aid, although he mainly lived outside of Austria. In addition, a woman received a widow board for over 23 years, although the conditions were no longer met, causing a damage of 300,000 euros. Another fraud affected a woman who has a million euros in social benefits, even though she achieved a lucrative income from a perfume trade.

strategies and measures to combat

The Taskforce social service fraud (TF Solbe), which was founded in 2018, was able to record an increase to 4,865 fraud, compared to 4,457 cases in 2023. This increase is partially attributed to increased sensitivity among stakeholders and in the population as well as increased cooperation between the authorities. The annual reconnaissance rate is almost 100 percent, which underlines the efficiency of the authorities. A total of 25,156 suspects have been recorded since the foundation of the TF Solbe.

The Federal Government continues to commit to misuse to protect the social system. Interior Minister Karner said that the police and the tax authorities will consistently act against perpetrators. The measures include targeted focus controls, especially at border crossings and at the Vienna-Schwechat Airport, as well as close cooperation between different ministries and authorities. These comprehensive efforts are necessary to ensure a safe social system.

Wurm demands a rethink and a clear line towards foreign perpetrators who cheat the social system. He advocates that social benefits should only be entitled to Austrian citizens in the future in order to find a sustainable solution to this serious problem.

For further information about the measures against social fraud in Austria and the current statistics, please visit OTS href = "https://kurier.at/politik/72-prozent-der-sezialiTe-sind-ausla-staatsbuerger/402551354"> Kurier and BMI .