At the end of the intensive meeting day in National Councilor On Monday there were a double budget as part of the negotiations 2025 and 2026 the chapters of business, energy, tourism and economic research on the program. The consultations about the double budget will continue on Tuesday and Wednesday. The final votes are scheduled for Wednesday evening. Also on Wednesday it will only be voted on on Wednesday about the proposal and energy issues brought in the course of the FPÖ and Greens ‘debate in the course of the FPÖ and Greens’ debate that the opposition parties made their criticisms illustrated.
Debate about business promotions
For the budget of the economic department and its agendas for energy and tourism, 1.37 billion ꞓ and 2026 989 million ꞓ are estimated for 2025. In 2025, the amounts are expected to decrease by 636 million ꞓ ꞓ ꞓ 636 million in 2024 and in 2026 compared to 378 million ꞓ compared to 2025. The reduction is primarily due to the expiry of grants. This applies, for example, the corporate energy cost subsidy law, the craftsman bonus and the investment bonus. There are also adjustments to the FISA+ film funding program and the endowing for investments in the area of the semiconductor industry (European Chips Act).
For the transformation of the economy, in 2025 34 million ꞓ and 2026 46 million ꞓ are budgeted in order to promote the change in industry with a focus on long -term resilience and sustainability. In 2026, among other things, only a once doping of a location offensive with 40 million ꞓ in 2025 then leads to budget reduction.
A significant increase should occur in the income in the business department in 2025 and 2026, each to 1.3 billion ꞓ. In 2024 they were 73 million ꞓ. This development results primarily from the transfer of responsibility for the administration of the state participations bundled in the ÖBAG and the resulting dividend yields.
The economic budget stands for active economic policy and is a clear commitment to more competitiveness and responsibility for budget consolidation, said Minister of Economics Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer. Two packages have already been adopted, namely the performance package and the SME package. Conscious accents are set as growth impulses, but end the funding policy of the “watering can”, said the minister. As far as the electricity costs he announced for energy -intensive companies, he would make up for this, he announced. In any case, the new key laws will occur in energy policy. There is also a clear commitment to industry, according to which clear visions are developed with an industrial strategy.
In contrast, the FPÖ did not save with criticism of the economic budget and brought in a number of decision -making applications. Arnold Schiefer (FPÖ), for example, called for an increase or adaptation of the investment allowance to 15 % regardless of any ecococomponent. For the next two years, an increase to 20 % of the investment allowance for acquisition or manufacturing costs up to 1.5 million ꞓ. Overall, it is about stimulation of private investments, according to Schiefer. Barbara Kolm (FPÖ) spoke out for a new codification of the trade regulations and brought an application “as a liberation for companies”. Kolm stated that a contemporary, clear and user -friendly set of rules, a simplification of the commercial profession and a reduction in bureaucratic obstacles. Michael Fürtbauer (FPÖ) addressed the discussion about the topic of tips that must be free of charge, and warned of what he believes in terms of high wage costs with regard to competitiveness. He aimed with an application for a quick and clear reduction in non -wage costs. In a first step, chamber levy 2 should be abolished at the Chamber of Commerce, Fürtbauer demanded. To support the energy-intensive industry in Austria, Axel Kassegger (FPÖ) urged an extension of the electricity prize costs compensation law until 2030. Austria was one of the few European countries without a corresponding electricity price compensation, which leads to massive competitive disadvantages. The extension of the electricity price costs announced by Minister Hattmannsdorfer only for 2025 and 2026 is far too short and is only a drop on the hot stone, says Kassegger.
The strengthening of the budgetary independence of the Federal Competition Authority (BWB) demanded Elisabeth Götze (Greens) with an application. She spoke out in favor of setting up the BWB in the budget as a household -leading position, especially since the BWB itself is raised. She expressly welcomes that increased grants are intended for the European Chips Act. However, she has great concerns whether the transformation is sufficient. In addition, she sees backwards in renewable energies and energy efficiency, which is a shame for the economy.
With this budget, the recent years have been “left behind us and crises,” said Kurt Egger (ÖVP). It is now a matter of saving first, then reforming and ensuring growth. On offensive measures, he called, for example, the tax-free employee bonus, the increase in the basic flat rate and the Nova exemption for certain craftsman vehicles. Tanja Graf (ÖVP) was convinced that energy policy is important for economic policy and the latter at the same time. The electricity price costs for energy-intensive companies come about with their own funds of the ministry of a total of 150 million ꞓ for two years. There will be a plus in energy efficiency and the transformation of industry. Johann Höfinger (ÖVP) was also convinced that the conversion in the energy sector went hand in hand with the economy. In any case, the double budget also takes an essential step to strengthen performance and competition in Austria again, said Klaus Mair (ÖVP).
Melanie Erasim (SPÖ) pointed out that it was small businesses and SMEs that keep the country going. The required scope for necessary investments would be created. It is now about stabilization and consolidation for a course that is wearing the long -term, says Franz Jantscher (SPÖ). The goal is a location that uses people. The budget focuses on a socio-ecological transformation that creates employment and does not destroy.
Markus Hofer (NEOS) said about Kolm’s application for a resolution that the government program already contains its claims for a new codification of the trade regulations. Overall, the challenges are great, which cannot be solved with additional funding alone. The tax -free employee bonus and the increase in the basic flat rate are already implemented. In addition, there is the prospect of support from energy -intensive companies. Karin Doppelbauer (NEOS) was convinced that the Electricity Economic Act (ELWG) and the Renewable Expansion Acceleration Act (EABG) “ASAP” would come. It is an important step that the electricity cost compensation law for industry will exist. From the perspective of Doppelbauer, more competition is needed in this country, especially in the energy sector.
Energy and tourism in the business department
The energy agents are now budgeted in the economic department with 361 million ꞓ (2025) or 337 million ꞓ (2026). Of this, 73 million ꞓ (2025) or 77 million ꞓ (2026) are not available on the climate and energy funds (Kli.en). The strategic gas reserve was estimated in 2025 with 113 million ꞓ, in 2026 there should be a decline of 16 million ꞓ. The funding for gas diversification is discontinued.
According to explanations, the focus of the grants and payments in tourism forms the further implementation of the “Plan T – Master Plan for Tourism”, the federal membership fee for Austria advertising and the federal commercial promotion. Compared to expenditure in 2024, the tourism budget drops from 66 million ꞓ in 2025 and 2026 to 61.4 million ꞓ.
Paul Hammerl (FPÖ) criticized with a motion for a resolution he brought in that the cost of living in Austria has increased significantly in recent years. He called for a reduction in sales tax for the delivery of electricity and gas as well as for the associated network costs, fees and levies to the EU minimum. Overall, the Federal Government should finally do it, he demanded.
In energy, the funds were spent “with full hands”, said Alois Schroll (SPÖ). Now it is important to use the funds correctly so that the money arrives where it is really needed, especially with regard to energy prices. Energy suppliers have made billions in profits in recent years, while consumers were concerned about paying the energy bills inside, says Schroll. With the energy cost contribution, it is finally ensured that energy suppliers are obliged to contribute to consolidation. In addition, a suitable instrument is created to help socially weaker.
Melanie Erasim (SPÖ) said that the current challenges are also taken into account in tourism. With a fund for tourism employees, social security is improved and plan T is further priorities.
Christoph Steiner (FPÖ), on the other hand, criticized the plan T as “meaningless”. The government is ignored by the government by depriving depreciation to 40 years or for employee homes to 66 years.
Tourism is the backbone of added value in Austria and for many the livelihood, Margreth Falkner (ÖVP) stated. Among other things, she emphasized a new funding for the creation of a business plan so that it could also continue at the village inn from “Generation to Generation”. If you invest in tourism, you invest in the future of entire regions, says Johann Weber (ÖVP). Therefore, this budget was spared from savings plans and measures such as the expansion of the defeat of the season.
Economic research and transformation
The majority of the payments in applied economic research concerns the endowment of the research funding institutions Austrian Research Promotion Society (FFG), Austria Economic Service Gesellschaft MBH (AWS) and Christian Doppler Research Society (CDG). The payouts of this budget chapter are estimated for 2025 with 229 million ꞓ and for 2026 with 219 million ꞓ and should increase by almost 7 million ꞓ compared to expenditure in 2024. Among other things, the research funding for transformation is to be raised by 21 million ꞓ and thus at 90 million ꞓ for 2025 and 2026. Overall, the Federal Government focuses on topics that are very important for the future and for the location, Martina von Künsberg Sarre (NEOS) was convinced.
Negotiated became the Federal Finance Framework 2025 to 2028 and the Federal Finance Framework 2026 to 2029. (Continued National Council) MBU
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