Begging ban in Linz-Urfahr: Will peace return?

Begging ban in Linz-Urfahr: Will peace return?

From Monday, June 12, 2025, an expanded regulation for a sectoral ban on begging will come into force in Linz-Urfahr. This measure was decided by the local council and will apply on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. in order to improve the quality of stay in the affected areas. The areas where the ban applies include Hauptstrasse, Freistädter Strasse, Blossomstrasse, Kaarstrasse, Gerstnerstrasse and Grünmarkt as well as several intersection areas. This decision responds to numerous complaints from citizens and business people as well as documented incidents by law enforcement.

The ban is based on the Upper Austrian Police Penalty Act. City Councilor for Security Michael Raml (FPÖ) emphasizes that this is not about the blanket suppression of poverty, but rather a legally tested approach to systematic harassment. A similar ban was imposed in downtown Linz in 2016 and has proven successful. The new begging ban gives the police and security services greater scope to take consistent action against aggressive and organized begging practices.

Background and increase in aggressive begging

The need for such measures is highlighted by a significant increase in cases of aggressive begging in Linz. According to the security service, a total of 125 cases of begging were documented in February 2025. For comparison: In February 2024 there were only 46 cases. In the last 12 months, a total of 578 cases of illegal begging were recorded in the city, with the main street in Urfahr particularly affected.

The City Councilor for Security points out that the number of unreported cases is significantly higher because many incidents go unreported. Complaints from residents and business people led to the establishment of a surveillance focus on the main street, where gangs of beggars often appear. Raml emphasizes that the majority of those affected come from Romania and Slovakia and act in an organized manner. Evidence suggests that there is a higher authority that coordinates the beggars' operations.

Planned actions and reactions

The security councilor has contacted supermarket chains to take action against begging on their premises. In this context, attention was drawn to the problems caused by aggressive begging in front of shops, as many citizens, especially older people, are often deceived in their willingness to help.

The ÖVP sees an urgent need for action and supports the planned regulation. In contrast, the KPÖ expresses criticism. Michael Roth-Schmida calls for social solutions instead of repressive measures. Despite the different perspectives, it is generally recognized that the previous sectoral bans on begging, especially in the city center, were effective and were able to improve the required security.

With the new regulation, the city of Linz hopes to strengthen the feeling of security in the affected areas and to take targeted action against the relocation of groups of beggars to other parts of the city.