Everything becomes more expensive: new fees and control from July 2025!

Everything becomes more expensive: new fees and control from July 2025!

Finance Minister Markus Marterbauer (SPÖ) presented the double budget 2025/26, which brings extensive changes to the population from July. In the budget, numerous measures to consolidate the state budget are summarized, which are to generate additional income in the coming years. The government plans to generate a total of 760 million euros by 2029, while only 20 million euros are planned in relief. The details of the essential savings and tax adjustments have already been announced in the first package of measures that was adopted in March. These include the cancellation of educational leave, the increase in tobacco tax and the end of the sales tax exemption for solar systems.

On May 22, the National Council will vote on another legislative package, which, among other things, provides for higher fees for official documents and increasing health insurance contributions for retirees. In particular, the fees for official processes are adapted to inflation by 48.2 percent. For example, a passport will cost 112 euros instead of 75.90 euros before, while the driver's license increases from 60.50 euros to 90 euros. This fee increase will come into force on July 1, 2025. The Ministry of Finance expects additional income of 65 million euros for 2025, which are to increase to 150 million euros in the following years.

health contributions and insurance increase

In addition to the changes in the state budget, there are also adjustments to health insurance contributions. For example, the contribution for retirementists should increase from 5.1 to 6 percent on June 1, 2025. Another important point is the changes in statutory health insurance (GKV), where the average additional contribution increases to 2.5 percentage points. This corresponds to an increase of 0.8 percentage points compared to 2024. The long -term care insurance is also affected, the contribution rate of which will be increased to 3.6 percent as of January 1, 2025.

The new framework also includes adjustments for students who now have to pay a monthly contribution of 87.38 euros including additional cash register. The income limit for non -contributory co -insurance in family insurance is also increased. In the future, it will be 535 euros per month, which could increase the financial burden for many households. A load limit for additional payments is determined in 2 percent of the annual gross revenue, while 1 percent applies to chronically ill people.

Financial political framework and challenges

The Federal Balentment 2025 was agreed in July 2024 after intensive discussions within the traffic light coalition. A central point is the desired "global minor edition" of 17 billion euros, the reduction of which could bring further cuts. The ideas for saving costs come mainly from the Chancellery. Specifically, it is about converting grants to Deutsche Bahn and the motorway company in loans, but this is controversial. Legal reports have already said that such a conversion could be unconstitutional.

The debate about the reform of the debt brake, which has only been allowed to have a structural debt of 0.35 percent of GDP since its anchoring in 2011 in the Basic Law, is still a hotly discussed topic. Political decision -makers face major challenges, especially against the background of a judgment of the Federal Constitutional Court, which declared the allocation of loans from a special fund for the first time. In particular, compliance with the household principles and the need to ensure financial stability remains a pressing task for the future.

Overall, the upcoming changes show that both citizens and the relevant institutions have to adapt to profound financial adjustments that will affect many aspects of everyday life.