New laws 2025: This improves support for those in need of care

New laws 2025: This improves support for those in need of care

Niederösterreich, Österreich - From January 1, 2025, companies with more than 400 employees must appoint a so -called "accessibility officer", as reports ORF. This representative has the task of planning and implementing measures to ensure accessibility for people with disabilities. The new law is expanding the previous requirements that previously only applied to federal ministries and public institutions. In June 2025, the Barrier Freedom Act also entered into force that obliges manufacturers, retailers and providers of digital services to meet Europe-wide standards with regard to accessibility for people with visual and hearing impairments.

At the same time, the care allowance in Austria will be increased by 4.6 percent from January 2025, which results in a monthly increase of almost 95 euros for around 475,000 nursing care recipients, as also reports Finanz.at. The new amounts per care level ensure that the financial means are adapted to the need for care. For example, people in need of care receive 200.80 euros per month in the first stage, while at the highest level there are seven 2,156.60 euros. The relative bonus, which has been paid since July 2023, also increases to 130.80 euros per month from 2025.

important changes and investments

The increase in the care allowance is part of a comprehensive reform package that is also intended to improve support for relatives. In addition to the care allowance adjustments, a doubling of the funds is provided for the hospice and palliative care, as well as the nursing fund for long-term care, a doubling of the funds to over 1.155 billion euros. This enables better financing of mobile care teams and stationary facilities. In addition, the training of sign language interpreters is promoted to ensure the participation of deaf people in the long term.