Austria’s reform partners agree package to streamline municipal services

Austria’s federal government, states and municipalities have agreed on a package to improve local administration, including better data sharing and incentives for cooperation, ORF reported. The plans were presented at the Austrian Municipalities Day, a gathering held at the Salzburg exhibition centre.

The partners expect the measures to make municipal work more efficient and simplify administrative procedures. A planned municipal data platform would allow authorities to exchange information securely and automatically, so residents and businesses do not have to submit the same details repeatedly.

The package would also allow municipalities to introduce application-free procedures, including fully automated fee notices. From December, municipalities will be able to book free “Digital Überall” workshops for residents, covering topics such as artificial intelligence and digital skills for older people. Up to 3,000 workshops are planned by the end of 2027.

The partners also plan to make cooperation between municipalities more attractive, including through joint associations for services such as water supply. A package of legal amendments is expected to be drafted by the end of 2026, with the measures to take effect at different times.

Other planned changes include reducing bureaucracy by removing paper, noticeboard and payment requirements, and allowing official announcements to be published digitally. The package would also simplify elections and referendums, including by ending what it describes as unnecessary opening hours at municipal offices during referendum signing periods.

Some measures had already been announced, including abolishing the internal municipal appeals process and allowing government experts to work across different levels of government, both intended to speed up procedures. Municipalities are also seeking one billion euros for infrastructure projects, with the federal government covering the interest. ORF’s Claus Bruckmann reported that a property tax increase could ease pressure on municipal budgets, but would require a federal decision.