Vienna considers levy that could raise culture ticket prices

Vienna is considering introducing a new levy on tickets for concerts, theatres and museums, ORF reports, citing the Kurier. The city is expected to announce details in autumn.

The proposed Kultur-Euro could follow the model of Vienna’s Sportgroschen, which has been added to tickets for sporting events since 1948 and raises around 2.5 million euros a year.

Several options are being discussed, including a surcharge of about 12.5 per cent on ticket prices or a flat one-euro charge.

The office of Vienna culture councillor Veronica Kaup-Hasler confirmed the plans in principle. “The specific design of the Kultur-Euro is currently being developed,” it said, adding that the main aim was to preserve and secure Vienna’s diverse cultural landscape in the long term. The revenue would also be directed back to the cultural sector.

The NEOS party also supports considering a levy, according to its parliamentary group leader Selma Arapovic. Talks on the details are continuing, with further information expected in autumn.

Kaup-Hasler had originally proposed a Kultur-Euro for tourists linked to the local accommodation tax. That plan was abandoned after no agreement was reached with the NEOS in the coalition government. She said last December that a different model was being developed.