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AUSTRIA, noun. State in Central Europe in the Danube River Basin
Modern explanatory dictionary
AUSTRIA, Republic of Austria (Republik Osterreich), state at Center. Europe, in bass. Danube. 83.8 thousand km2. Population 7.9 million (1993), 98% Austrians. Urban population 64.5% (1991). The official language is German. Most believers are Catholics. Austria is a federation of 9 states, including Vienna, the capital of Austria. The head of state is the president. The legislature is a bicameral parliament (National Council and Federal Council). Most of the territory is occupied by Vost. The Alps (the highest point is Mount Grossglockner, 3797 m) and their foothills; low-lying plain along the Danube. St. 2/5 of the territory - mountain forests; above - meadows. The climate is temperate, continental, humid in the west; Average January temperatures range from -1 to -4 ° C, July 15-18 ° C. Annual precipitation is 500-900 mm, in the mountains up to 2000 mm. Rivers bass. Danube, lake. Neusiedler See, Constance. Reserves: Neusiedlersee-Seewinkel, Karwendelbirge and others. In the 6-7 centuries. the territory of Austria was inhabited by Germanic and partly Slavic tribes. From 1156 Austria - a duchy (from 1453 an archduchy). In 1282, the Habsburgs established themselves in Austria. From the 16th century. Austria became the political center of the Ottoman Empire's offensive in the South-East. Europe of the multinational monarchy of the Habsburgs (in the 16th and 18th centuries the Czech Republic, Silesia, Hungary, part of the Polish, Western Ukrainian, South Slavic, Italian, and other lands entered). In the end. 18 - early. 19th centuries Austria (from 1804 - the Austrian Empire) participated in the wars with France, in the creation of the Holy Alliance in 1815. Austria fought with Prussia for hegemony in Germany, which ended in the defeat of Austria in the Austro-Prussian War of 1866. In 1867 the Austrian Empire was transformed into a two-pronged monarchy - Austria-Hungary. The Social Democratic Party of Austria was formed in 1888. In World War I, Austria-Hungary took part in an alliance with Germany. Austria-Hungary at the end. 1918 disintegrated, states were created on its ruins - Austria, Hungary, Czechoslovakia; parts of the territory became part of Yugoslavia, Poland, Romania, Italy. On November 12, 1918, Austria was proclaimed a republic. The 1919 Saint Germain Peace Treaty defined its present-day boundaries. In March 1938, fascist German troops occupied Austria; its accession to Germany (Anschluss) was proclaimed. In the spring of 1945 Austria was liberated from Nazi rule. It was temporarily occupied by the troops of the USSR, the USA, Great Britain and France; the end of the occupation was put by the State Treaty on the restoration of an independent and democratic Austria (1955). In October 1955, the Austrian parliament passed a law on the permanent neutrality of Austria. In 1945-66, the coalition governments of the Austrian People's Party (ANP; founded in 1945 on the basis of the Christian Social Party created in the 1880s) and the Socialist Party of Austria (SPA) were in power, in 1966-1970 - the government of the ANP , in 1970-83 - the government of the SPA, in 1983-86 - the government of the SPA and the Austrian Freedom Party (founded in 1955), since January 1987 - the government of the SPA and the ANP. Austria is one of the most economically developed countries in Europe. More than 20% of industrial production is created in the public sector (metallurgical, mining, energy). The role of the capital of the FRG is great. Share in GDP (1991,%): industry, including construction, 36.3, agriculture and forestry 2.8. Extraction of iron ore, magnesite, brown coal, oil, graphite, lead-zinc and tungsten ores. Electricity production 51.1 billion kWh (1992), including St. 2/3 at the hydroelectric power station. The most developed are mechanical engineering (transport, agricultural, electrical engineering), ferrous metallurgy (4.3 million tons of steel, 3.7 million tons of rolled stock in 1990), aluminum production, chemical, pulp and paper, woodworking, textile, leather shoe, clothing industry. Agriculture is intensive and highly commodity; large land ownership prevails. The leading industry is dairy farming. Livestock (1991, million) of cattle 2.6, pigs 3.7. Poultry keeping. Wheat, barley, sugar beets and fodder crops are grown. Fruit growing and viticulture. Length (1992, thousand km) railways 6.7, motorways 125. The main river ports: Linz, Vienna. Export: machinery and equipment, textiles and clothing, paper, timber, footwear, food, electricity. Major foreign trade partners: Germany and other EEC countries. Foreign tourism (approx. 15 million hours per year). The monetary unit is the Austrian schilling.
Austria has a temperate, transitional to continental climate, but since 70% of the country is occupied by the Alps, temperature drops are inevitable. As an example: the Austrian winter on the flat territories is funny for Russians –2 ° С and more noticeable –14 ° С in mountainous regions. Forecasters divide Austria into three zones: eastern, alpine and an area with a transitional Atlantic climate. The east of the country is characterized by dry hot summers and severe winters with little rainfall. The Alpine region is famous for its lingering rains and blizzards. As for the rest of the regions, the Atlantic and continental air masses govern the weather.
Winter in Austria is actually the high season and the busiest time of the year, thanks to snowboard, ski and tubing fans storming the Alps with the first snow. For those who prefer warm relaxation to mountain extreme and invigorating frosts, it is more expedient to celebrate the New Year at thermal resorts, of which there are about 40. Tourists who have not had time to save up for a ski pass and a subscription to expensive spa complexes will have to warm their palms with a mug of fire gluwein (it the same mulled wine) at the Christmas markets in Vienna, Linz and.
At the end of April, the last adherents of "mountain skiing" leave Austria, passing the baton to fans of museum excursions and ecotourism. This fact does not affect prices in any way, so if you are planning an acquaintance with the May landscapes of Tyrol or a bike tour in Styria, accept the fact that the global economy will not work. Traveling along the alpine paths in spring, do not be too lazy to grab some warm clothes - it blows on the slopes.
In summer in Austria, the air warms up to + 25 ° C in the shade. Showers come periodically, which subside by August. Summer is also an ideal time for a break on the lake beaches, crazy rafting, eating national dishes at gastronomic festivals and tours of medieval cities. Shopaholics who did not manage to buy trendy outfits during Christmas sales are advised to save their money until summer - grandiose sales in Austrian malls will start in July.
September in the homeland of Mozart and Commissioner Rex is still a "walking" time: the air warms up to +17 ... + 20 ° С, the weather is clear, and there is little rain. In the fall, travelers head to Austria to indulge in leisurely hiking, take funny selfies at rural harvest festivals, and hang out in the provincial heurigers serving young wine and the Austrian variation of apple cider - the bridge. Fans of a more lively party should go to Vienna, to the local Oktoberfest, which, although not as wild as in neighboring Germany, is more organized.
Austrian cities
All cities in Austria
Country history
The history of Austria is counted from the 4th century BC. e., when the Celtic tribes settled in the Danube territories, who founded the kingdom of Norik here. Local leaders quickly formed friendships with Rome, which contributed to the Romanization of Celtic culture, language and architecture. In the II century, Sarmatians, Ost- and Visigoths became interested in Norik, so the inhabitants of the kingdom did not have time to repel the attacks of the neighboring invaders. As an example: for a little over a hundred years, the territories of modern Austria managed to be Rugiland, part of the Odoacer state and even the provinces of the Ostrogothic state and the Avar Kaganate.
In 805, the Austrian lands became part of the Frankish Empire, receiving the status of the Eastern Mark, which is subordinate to Bavaria. For more than four hundred years, this state formation was ruled by the Babenberg family, with the extinction of which the Eastern Mark passed to the Czech king. In 1282, the first representative of the Habsburg dynasty, Rudolf II, reigned on the Austrian throne. By that time, Austria had managed to get out of the control of the Czech Republic and was already called a duchy.
The most successful period in the life of the country can be called the New era, when Austria increased its military power, rebuffed the encroachments of the Turks, and at the same time expanded its own possessions. For example, in 1699 the territories of Hungary, Transylvania, Croatia and Slovenia were ceded to the country. Further - more: in 1804, Austria declared itself an empire, and in 1867 acquired the status of a two-pronged monarchy, called Austria-Hungary. The 20th century turned out to be not as successful for the descendants of the Celts as the previous eras: the First World War, the revolution that undermined the economy, and the forced need to part with the Hungarian, Croatian and Transylvanian territories affected.
In 1938, Hitler turned his famous Anschluss, as a result of which Austria became part of the Third Reich, and religious and nationalist persecutions began for its population. It was possible to restore the once great empire in rights only after the end of World War II, and then only formally: until the middle of the last century, Austria remained divided into occupation zones. The declaration of independence of the state was signed in 1955 along with the declaration of neutrality. By the way, the Austrian authorities observe the last obligation very selectively and even made amendments to the Constitution, allowing them to cooperate with the Bundeswehr.
Mentality and language
A pronounced feature of the national character of the Austrians is their loyalty to traditions and the desire for status. If a local resident had an aristocratic ancestor at least in the tenth generation, he will notify everyone about it. The "country of strudel and schnitzel" is very cautious about innovations, as well as the recognition of various rights and freedoms. As a result, there are far fewer informals on the streets of Vienna than in the capitals of other European countries. At the same time, in everyday communication, the Austrians are quite open and friendly, so when traveling in the Alps and coming into contact with the locals, you can count on not only meager instructions, but also intimate conversations.
Despite the fact that Austrians and Germans speak dialects of the same language and continue to be neighbors, there is no smell of friendship between nations. It is not known whether this is a reaction to the Anschluss of 1938 or whether the proud people harbored a grudge since the days of the Frankish Empire, but the fact remains: the Germans in Austria are treated so-so and even write offensive anecdotes about Goethe's descendants. The Germans also keep up with their caustic neighbors, accusing the latter of having "appropriated" Mozart for themselves, but skillfully disowning the Fuhrer, who was born in Upper Austria.
As far as communication is concerned, even if you speak perfectly in Hochdeutsche (literary German), it is unlikely that you will be able to achieve complete mutual understanding in Austria. And all because here they communicate in Wieneriche, which, although formally considered a dialect of German, is in fact very different from it. To make it clearer: say hello to the Austrian with the standard "Guten Tag!" will not work - they prefer the greetings "Gruss Goth!" and "Servus!" In large cities and tourist places, the Austro-Russian phrasebook is most likely not useful - the entire working-age population expresses itself in English there. But if you're going to stray from the mainstream routes, the vocabulary is better to grab.
Money
Austria is part of the Eurozone, therefore, monetary settlements in the country are carried out in euros (EUR). Despite the fact that there is no shortage in bank branches and exchange offices that convert foreign currencies, it is better to come right away with cash, since the fees for such operations are significant. Keep in mind that Austrian banks have a five-day working week. In addition, they are open all days except Thursday strictly until 15:00.
It is easy to cash out funds from an account in Austria - there are enough round-the-clock ATMs that accept Russian MasterCard and Visa cards, as well as Maestro and American Express in every relatively large settlement. They will take "plastic" cash registers of shops, restaurants and gas stations, if we are talking about tourist locations, or well-known winter resorts. But in remote guesthouses and provincial heurigers, guests will be asked to pay in bills.
Attractions and entertainment in Austria
In Austria, it is difficult to single out the top tourist places and regions, because in this regard, each city or resort pulls the blanket over itself. But such a feature can be an excellent reason to return to the country again, and then again and again! And so on until it is possible to collect and organize the impressions of all the objects of which the descendants of Austrian composers and margraves are so proud.
Architecture
The architectural heritage of Austria is a bit of Gothic, a little more pompous palace baroque and Viennese Art Nouveau shaded by the romantic Biedermeier. Objects of temple architecture will also help teleport to the past of the great empire: Vienna's Stephansdom (St. Stephen's Cathedral), Salzburg Cathedral, the ascetic-Gothic Maria am Geshtade, St. Egidius's Cathedral, as well as dozens of modest but original provincial churches. If you love ancient legends, mystical atmosphere and monumentality in all its manifestations, take a look at Austrian castles and fortresses, of which there are more than two dozen. For example, in Hochosterwitz, hovering between heaven and earth, in the harshly impregnable Hohensalzburg, or in the postcard Kreuzenstein, in which Dominique Sena filmed his disastrous "Time of the Witches" with Nicolas Cage.
If the rough scope of medieval architecture leaves conflicting impressions, you can switch to the masterpieces of the imperial era: the Hofburg, Schönbrunn and Belvedere palaces (Vienna), the Hofburg Innsbruck residence of the Habsburgs (not to be confused with the Vienna palace of the same name), Eggenberg castle, which embodied the concept of time and movement in its exterior stars, as well as the Salzburg Mirabell Palace, whose story began with the scandalous relationship of Bishop Rathenau with a young merchant. Modern Austrian architects also do not waste time, racing by constructing something unimaginable, asymmetrical and cosmic-scaled like the Museum of Modern Art in Vienna (better known as MUMOK), the building of the BTV bank or the office of a steel company in Linz. Moreover, almost all Viennese high-rise buildings built at the turn of the 20th and 21st centuries are a complete challenge to the laws of physics and gravity.
Museums
In Austria, every museum is a luxurious palace ensemble, a house of a famous composer or a futuristic creation of modern designers. The undisputed leaders in this niche both in terms of attendance and in terms of the wealth of funds are the Hofburg, which accommodates the entire imperial history of the country, Albertina, with its million-strong collection of paintings and graphic canvases, and the Belvedere, filled with the works of the impressionists and medieval sculptors. You can admire Bruegel, Cranach the Elder and Rembrandt, unknown to the general public, in Ferdinandeum (), and it is better to take a picture against the background of the first airplanes and sports cars in the demonstration pavilion with free entrance "Hangar-7" ().
To see everything at once, and not to move from district to district - welcome to the Museum Quarter of the Austrian capital, which brings together several art galleries and exhibition halls. If you are attracted to non-standard and magical expositions - you are in "Crystal Worlds". The museum was founded by the manufacturer of crystals Swarowski and is located in the city of Wattens, inside a picturesque hill with the head of a giant. The most controversial institutions include the Innsbruck Museum of Bells and the Anatomical Museum, as well as the Vienna Tower of Madmen, excursions to which will provide controversial, but unforgettable impressions.
Full immersion in the horrors of World War II promises the Mauthausen museum complex in the vicinity of Linz. The entrance to the former death factory has been free for everyone for many years. The Austrians have not forgotten about Mozart either, so if you want - go to Vienna to see what apartments the greatest composer of all time rented at the peak of fame. Alternatively, settle in and visit the yellow mansion where Wolfgang Amadeus took his first steps. Continuing the musical theme, you can look into the Johann Strauss House-Museum - an apartment on the Praterstrasse in Vienna, where the musician wrote the immortal waltz "On the Beautiful Blue Danube".
Nature
The Hohe Tauern Park undoubtedly belongs to the first place in the five natural must-see in Austria. Snow-capped mountain peaks and ice fields, through which wild chamois run, charming mini-waterfalls and emerald lawns with relict ferns - all this is just a fraction of the wealth of one of the oldest nature reserves in Europe. In the Donau-Auen National Park, romantic views are ruled by the handsome Danube, on whose floodplain meadows deer graze, and beavers build their funny constructions in the backwaters. For rare shots of black storks, try sneaking into the Tayatal conservation area on the border with the Czech Republic. Well, for romantic selfies against the backdrop of limestone mountains and nimble rivers, the landscapes of Gesoise - the youngest park in the country, founded in 2002, are ideal.
Fans of relaxed meditation by the water surface should not ignore the Austrian lakes, of which there are more than a thousand in Mozart's homeland. Try, for example, to settle in Carinthia, on the banks of the turquoise Wörthersee, Langsee and Klopeinersee. Or dash off to the salt mines and tranquil blue lakes of the Salzkammergut, in whose taverns visitors are treated to fresh fish from local fishermen. Small but industrial Vorarlberg already smells like neighboring Switzerland - the region is located next to Lake Constance. And of course, do not miss the main natural phenomenon of the Alps - the green Grunersee lake, which floods the neighboring park in summer and reveals part of its bottom in winter.
All sights of Austria
Ski vacation
Even tourists who are far from sports know that in Austria a fantastic "ski". One of the most pleasant features of the alpine tracks is their diversity, so it is convenient to ride here both for beginners who have gotten on a snowboard, and for extremals conquering the black slopes. Technical equipment is a separate topic. The Austrians who do not welcome squandering are investing in the Alps in full, so even a small village can find a dozen modern lifts and a sufficient number of snow cannons to keep snow on the slopes until the end of April.
It makes no sense to list all the ski locations in Austria, especially since there is a tendency to enlargement - neighboring resorts are combined into common ski areas, where you can have fun with a single ski pass. The favorite place of the Austrian and foreign beau monde is the Ski Arlberg region, which ranks fifth in the list of the largest ski resorts of our time. It includes the villages of Zürs, St. Anton, Lech, Oberlech and Stuben, which are connected by 87 lifts. By the way, Arlberg is so far the only place in Austria where you can try your hand at heli-skiing.
The largest night ski trail is to be found in the Wilder Kaiser Brixental, Tyrol's largest ski area. Here, in the Tyrolean Alps, there are other spa associations such as the Arena Zillertal, Sölden, Kirchberg and Mayrhoffen-Hippach. Skiers and snowboarders looking for trails in the vicinity are advised to get hold of a ski pass for the Saalbach-Hinterglemm-Leogang-Fieberbrunn slopes. The area is renowned for its ski schools and an extensive range of winter activities, including horse-drawn sledding.
A good half of travelers go to the ski resorts of Austria not so much for sports achievements, but because of the amazingly thoughtful après-ski. Moreover, hanging out in local bars and clubs means not only drinking and dancing frenzy, but also interesting meetings. If you know the "fishy" places, there is every chance to get a selfie with a world celebrity - the stars love to relax after "pokatushki" in the cold no less than mere mortals. So, if you come to Mozart's homeland with the aim of having fun in the company of media people, move closer to such resorts as Schladming (Styria), St. Anton, Mayrhofen and Ischgl (). By the way, about Ischgl: the location is on the border with Switzerland, so the owners of a ski pass operating on its territory are allowed to "cross the border" and drive around the routes of the Swiss resort of Samnaun.
Spa and thermal resorts in Austria
Austria has a large number of mineral and thermal springs, and where there are healing springs, there are spa complexes. It is often possible to take a steam bath in radon and carbon dioxide baths without leaving the line of ski resorts, such as in Bad Kleinkirchheim (Carinthia) or the Aqua-Dom spa complex in Sölden. In Burgenland's Bad Tatzmannsdorf, they not only bathe in mineral water, but also take it inside as part of a treatment course for gout, osteoporosis, diabetes mellitus and other ailments. A whole cascade of thermal springs is located near the town of Bad Blumau (Styria), famous for its wellness center "Rogner Bad Blumau", built according to the sketches of the "fairy-tale architect" Friedensreich Hundertwasser.
The southernmost of the mineral and thermal resorts in Austria is Warmbad Villach. It is located in Styria, offering, in addition to hot pools and healing waters, the neighborhood of ski slopes, as well as several music and theater festivals. Another Stir commune where you can pamper yourself with spa treatments is Bad Radkersburg. The pools here are moderately warm (about +25 ° C), but super-sparkling, so that interesting sensations while swimming are provided. Young travelers in Austrian resorts are also taken care of - many aqua complexes have special shallow areas for children and water slides.
How to save money in Austria
It is possible and necessary to save money in the “land of waltzes, music and alpine skiing”, especially since every region and city issues discount cards for travelers. In Vienna, for example, there are three of them - Vienna Pass, Wien-Karte and Flexi Pass. With the Salzburg Card in hand, you can ride cable cars and river boats for free, as well as receive substantial discounts on the excursion program. Most of the cards, valid in the federal state of Salzburg, can generally be obtained for free - discount coupons are issued to their guests by hotels in Zell, Flachau, Lungau and other popular places.
Summer lures tourists with guest tickets promising global savings when visiting museums and swimming pools. For an inexpensive acquaintance with Styria, about 9 tourist maps have been issued, covering natural and cultural attractions, the Salzkammergut, Murtal, Schladming-Dachstein and a number of other interesting locations. Lower and Upper Austria, Burgenland, Carinthia, Vorarlberg also offer tempting discounts on a variety of entertainment and gastronomic pleasures, from a free glass of wine at partner restaurants to a visit to the thermal baths for a nominal fee.
Important: it is better to look for cards that provide financial benefits for acquaintance with the culture and nature of Austria in hotels and tourist centers that support this program.
Where to stay
The most economical type of Austrian accommodation is boarding houses, where the entire range of services, from cleaning to breakfast, is provided by the owner and his family. The average cost of living in such places is 60-80 EUR. In hotels of the type of bed & breakfast, located along busy highways, it will not work out cheaper than 100-120 EUR. As for the Austrian "fives", the discrepancy between the degree of stardom and the level of service and comfort of the premises is still noticeable even in the most high-profile establishments.
Explorers of the countryside can add pastoral flair to a vacation and retreat to Alpine farms. The obvious advantages of such a vacation are ecological products straight from the garden, educational agricultural programs for children, the opportunity to contact pets and join the culture of winemaking. Country joys cost from 15 to 35 EUR per day per person, so if you are ready to spend money on such downshifting, take a look at the urlaubambauernhof.at portal, which contains all the cutest mansions that host guests from the stone jungle.
Within the limits of ski resorts, you can apply for both standard hotel rooms and cozy chalets. Moreover, both there and there the costs will be fantastic: the amount of 500 EUR for a wooden cottage is positioned as a mega-discount. It costs about one and a half to two times cheaper to settle in a similar "dacha" near thermal springs, but it is also far from budgetary, so the bulk of those arriving "on the water" prefer guesthouses.
An option from the category “when you don’t know what else to spend your money on” - apartments in historic buildings, for example, in the castles of Leopoldskron (), Raffelsberger (Wachau), Knappenstöckl (Halbturn). Fans of non-standard design solutions can also come off in full: peasant barns, tree huts, ennobled Eskimo igloos are not so difficult to find. If your vacation budget starts to melt faster than planned, it makes sense to go to hostels. It is true that you will spend the night in a dormitory, but for a modest 15-18 EUR it is easier to put up with inconveniences.
It is recommended to book rooms in Austrian pensions and hotels in advance and with an eye to the season. In Tyrol, it is winter, when legions of visiting skiers are pulling up to the icy slopes. In glamorous and historic Vienna, summer is perfect for excursions and hiking. Consider also the fact that in the "rush" months, prices for accommodation skyrocket, and the number of vacant places is reduced to a critical limit, so if you dream of being in a slightly more budgetary Austria, go to the Alps in June-August, and to the "musical heart of Europe "- in late autumn.
Austrian cuisine
If you think that Austrian cuisine is based solely on schnitzels and strudels, then you are not far from the truth - flat cutlets and sweet rolls are really respected here. On the other hand, the local cafes are full of less advertised dishes that instantly replenish the calories spent on the "ski" and surprise the taste buds. Among them are tafelspitz, regional variations of goulash, soups with pancake noodles, roast beef with onions, mushrooms and lard, roasted chicken, potato and meat grill and other simple but solid yummy.
For fans of fast carbohydrates, Austria is a promised land at all - pastry shops and bakeries are racing to supply the population with amazing pastries. And we are talking not only about the immoderately praised "Sacher", but also about the delightful "Linz cake", vanilla nockerl, tender Kaiserschmarrn, spicy striezels and rum punshkrapfens. To eat flour delights, washed down with melange, Einspenner or coffee-orange "Maria Theresa", relies in cozy coffee houses. For example, in "Landtmann", where Freud interpreted their strange dreams to waitresses. Or in the "Central", where Zweig spotted his second-hand Mendel, and Trotsky pestered the regulars with a proposal to play a game of chess.
In Austria, there are many gourmet establishments, but the most picturesque catering points are the heurigers and shanigarten. The former are small taverns where you can taste the products of private winemakers. The latter are reminiscent of German beer gardeners, where visitors' tables are brought out into the open air. True, according to indigenous gourmets, finding an old-school heuriger is becoming more and more difficult - the owners of taverns rely on tourists, which entails high price tags, and with them - a decrease in the quality of food and drink. For the right gastronomy, it is better to go to peripheral places, where you can still find buschenshanks - family restaurants with their own wine and traditional specialties.
Austria is a country where the morning begins with gatherings over a cup of coffee, so coffee shops and pastry shops open their doors at 7 am. Lunch in the city taverns is served from 12:00 to 14:00, so if you expect to get a good fill of schnitzels, try to keep within this gap. Or pay homage to street food - wurstel sausages, ham rolls, baked chestnuts and fries. It is customary to dine in restaurants from 18:00 to 21:30, but if you intend to dine in the center of Vienna, you can stay late - here dinners stretch until 24:00. Nightlife bars accept fun lovers until 01: 00-02: 00. The menu in tourist places is bilingual, that is, English-Austrian, however, in ski resorts popular among Russians, you can also find its variants at the “great mighty”.
Good to know: in many Austrian establishments, service is included in the bill, while no one will refuse a tip (trinkgeld). The standard amount of remuneration is 5-10% of the account.
Communication and Internet
There are many operators in the Austrian telecom market, but if you need a stable signal, contact A1 and T-Mobile. Those who temporarily stay in cities should make friends with virtual operators, who have smaller coverage areas, but lower prices, and also have hot promotions. It is convenient to purchase SIM cards in branded stores, grocery stores or at the post office, but all of them will be prepaid and require activation (a combination of numbers is entered). In addition, since 2019, all Austrian numbers are registered, so get ready to show the seller your passport.
In special cases, you can call home or call a taxi from a payphone. You will have to pay for communication with coins and phone cards, which can be found in the same place as the SIM cards themselves. By the way, if you like to save money, try to postpone conversations for the evening - from 18:00 there is a reduced tariff for calls. It is easy to get an Internet package together with a SIM card for calls. The main thing is to carefully read the conditions listed in the advertising brochure, because some companies have limited not only traffic, but also the connection speed. Free Wi-Fi zones are available at train stations, cafes, shopping centers, and ski resorts.
Shopping
Going to Austria for trendy new clothes is not that wrong, but rather impractical, because there are so many more seductive things to do. Gastronomers will be the first to break away, since only convinced vegans will be able to leave here without packing ruddy waffles, hyperchocolate Sacher, marzipan Mozartkugel, apricot schnapps, ice wine, coffee and cheese. However, local farmers also took care of the supporters of healthy eating - in any grocery department you will find 100% organic oil, made from giant pumpkins grown in Styria. Alpine salt, herbal tea and honey can also be considered as a reminder of a vacation, especially since such gifts are not very ruinous for a wallet.
Security
Austrian law-abidingness is very developed, so the maximum that can threaten a traveler is the likelihood of losing the contents of his pockets, as well as space penalties for behavior and non-payment of the toll. As an example: driving with a hare, as well as racing on toll roads without a vignette and receipt is punishable by a fine of 100-120 EUR. Smoking in public places is also an expensive pleasure, which can free the bank account of an uninitiated tourist from several thousand euros.
Great care must be taken in the Alps too. Rockfalls, avalanches and landslides, although predicted by forecasters, sometimes catch even such a prudent nation as the Austrians by surprise, therefore, when going on a hike or snowboarding, always listen to the recommendations of guides and experienced climbers.
Customs and visa information
To gorge on strudel and wander around Schönbrunn, you will have to apply for a Schengen C-type visa. To obtain the coveted pass, they collect a general Schengen package of documents, attaching medical insurance with coverage from 30,000 EUR. There are no restrictions on the import of currency, but amounts over EUR 10,000 are required to be declared.
Duty-free import applies to tobacco products (cigarettes - no more than 200 pcs., Tobacco - up to 250 g, cigars - 50 pcs.), Alcohol (drinks with a strength of more than 22% - 1 liter, less than 22% - 2 liters, wine - 2 liters , beer - 3 l) and medicines, if they have a prescription.
Let's admit the export of cigarettes (up to 1000 pcs.), Perfume (up to 250 ml), as well as wines and liqueurs in unlimited quantities. True, in the latter case, it makes no sense to be overzealous - there are limits on alcohol on the Russian side. Objects of art and rarities at the Austrian customs will only be admitted if there are certificates showing that the purchased paintings and figurines are not part of the cultural heritage.
Transport
The most convenient and cheapest form of transport to travel within Austria is by train. The trains run minute by minute, and you can get with them anywhere. For tourists traveling to Mozart's homeland by rail, a special Interrail Pass is issued, which can be purchased upon presentation of an identity card. Fans of nostalgic voyages on retro locomotives will be curious to appreciate the current narrow-gauge railways of the Zillertal, Murtau, Mariazell, Simmering and dozens of other old routes. Often in such tours in the past there are a lot of additional bonuses that vary depending on the region - somewhere passengers are allowed to "steer" a steam locomotive, and somewhere they are presented with luxurious imperial-style coupes.
Comfortable buses Flixbus and Eurolines roam around the main locations, resorts and between the suburbs, where you can use Wi-Fi and charge your smartphone. In winter, vehicles serving the mountainous regions of Austria also provide free transportation of sports equipment such as snowboards and skis. Taxis are almost everywhere. Cars are equipped with counters, so drivers have no chance of cheating. In the summer months, it is also interesting to entertain yourself with a boat excursion along the Danube (be sure to sail along the breathtaking Schlögen loop) and lakes - Bodensee, Wolfgangsee, Zellersee and others.
In cities, buses, trams and in some places trolleybuses are engaged in transportation. There is a metro only in Vienna, electric trains - in it, and also in, and. Bicycles are also in demand - in the capital of the state alone there are more than 1000 km of bike paths. You can rent a two-wheeled friend in hotels, bike shops, as well as at CityBike parking lots. Proven locations for a fun bike trip are Styria (don't skip the country roads leading to wineries and the Mürztal riverbed), Upper Austria (trails trodden by Roman legionnaires), (Mozart Radweg bike path) and Burgenland.
Rent a Car
To save money, it is recommended to book a car in advance. You can order a vehicle both in official dealerships and through intermediaries. At the same time, the age of the renter must be from 21 years old if a budget model is chosen, and from 25 years old if we are talking about an expensive car. To conclude an agreement with the rental company, present an IDP (International Driving License) and a credit card (sometimes two if you are renting a luxury vehicle).
Before signing the documents, study the section "Insurance". Serious offices include insurance against road accidents, theft and third-party liability in the price. Traffic rules in Austria are the same as in the rest of Europe. The speed limit in settlements is 50 km / h, beyond the line - 100 km / h, on highways - 130 km / h. As for fines, there is no single tariff - each federal state has its own rates. In general, speeding, using the phone while driving (with a headset, you can), and driving while intoxicated are recognized as unreasonably expensive violations.
There are many highways in Austria, the movement on which is possible only after making a cash contribution. For travel on most toll roads, a vignette pasted on the glass (sold at gas stations) will be enough, but if you are going to rush through the Felbertauern, Gleinalm, Brenner, Katschberg, Tauern and Karavanke tunnels, you will need to part with a few more euros. You will also have to pay extra for the use of the high mountain roads of Grossglockner, Maltatal, Timmelsjoch and Silvretta. Some of them are considered guarded sightseeing routes, driving along which is allowed strictly in the summer months and in daylight.
, therefore, those planning to storm snow-covered jumps and halfpipes, it is advisable to look for tickets from Austrian Airlines and Pobeda.
What is Austria associated with by the majority? For connoisseurs of antiquity, these are the majestic royal residences and St. Stephen's Cathedral, for music lovers - the Vienna Opera and Strauss waltzes, for athletes - the Mayrhofen ski resort.
What is Austria associated with by the majority? For connoisseurs of antiquity, these are the majestic royal residences and St. Stephen's Cathedral, for music lovers - the Vienna Opera and Strauss waltzes, for gourmets - mulled wine, Sachertorte and Viennese sausages, for athletes - the Mayrhofen ski resort. But all of the above will agree that this is one of the most prosperous and stable European countries, and this is a good reason to think about how comfortable and calm your business can be there.
With all the variety of forms of enterprises in Austria, the most convenient and popular is GmbH, a limited liability company. It is easy to open such a company, it does not require a personal visit of the client, only the presence of the director. The founder can even be a legal entity, so the nominal service is very original here - the role of nominal can be assigned to an Austrian company. Everything happens by concluding an offer agreement between the true owner and such a resident enterprise, which can be broken unilaterally, which provides the beneficiary with full control over the assets.
When opening a company, the authorized capital must start from 35,000 euros, and at least half of this amount (in non-cash or cash form) must be accumulated in the account.
Let's take a look at some of the tax conditions in Austria. The corporate tax rate here is 25%, while the minimum amount is 1,750 euros. Enterprises that make up the combined financial structure can form a group for tax proposals - it will be the object of taxation. It should be noted that the investments received by the company are not subject to income tax, which is very beneficial for foreign investors.
The general rate of VAT in Austria is 20%, while there is also a preferential rate of 10% applicable to such activities as the hotel business, passenger transportation, the sale of books, the creation of objects of artistic value, charity. But the insurance and financial business, medical practice, work with commercial real estate are not subject to VAT at all. This tax is not threatened by persons whose income is below 30,000 euros inclusive.
If you plan to start your own business and work in Austria, remember that individuals are exempted from incorporation tax, as well as from taxes on wages and salaries for a year after registering a company, but such bonuses only apply to businesses created from scratch exactly on Austrian territory.
In general, taxes are high here, but you have to pay for the prestige of the jurisdiction, the advantages of a stable society, and a reliable banking system. Let us remind you that Austria has more than 80 international treaties in its arsenal, one of which was signed with Ukraine.
Companies with an Austrian residence permit have a high status and will be an undoubted plus in your reputation and your trump card before partners. Registration of an enterprise in the homeland of the Habsburgs can be interesting, first of all, when building holdings, working with Germany, banking, as well as in the case of large investments
If Austria is interesting to you not only from the point of view of tourism and you have any questions about business in this beautiful European country, write to us - we will hold a personal seminar or consultation for you. Find out more about the favorable points of our planet with the experts of the ICG-seminar company.
Austria ... What associations do Russians have with this word, what do they know about this country?
To an open-ended question: "Tell me please, where is Austria?"the majority of Russians answered. Most often, respondents said that this is a European country (32%), another 10% of respondents specify that it is located next to Germany, and 5% correctly indicated other countries that Austria borders on. At the same time, 34% of the participants in the all-Russian survey found it difficult to answer this question. Among Muscovites, the uninformed are significantly less - 19%. 43% of the respondents named the capital of Austria correctly. 44% of the respondents could not do this - most often people with a low level of education and youth (50% of respondents aged 18 to 35).
It is widely believed among Russians that Austria is a friendly state towards Russia - this position is shared by 58% of the respondents; more often than others - people of the middle age group (from 35 to 50 years old), residents of megacities and optimists. Interestingly, supporters of G. Zyuganov, who more often than others gave the correct answer to the question about the capital of Austria, are less likely than those surveyed as a whole, tend to consider it a friendly country. And supporters of V. Putin are less aware of which city is the capital of Austria, but more often than others they call this state a friendly one.
Only 18% of Russians responded to the request to name famous people in Austria; among Muscovites - 66%. Famous Austrian composers were mentioned most often. The most famous Austrians in Russia were the Strauss - son and father (11%) and V.-A. Mozart (3%). Another 2% of the respondents mentioned A. Hitler. Often respondents named famous people who were not really Austrians: O. Bismarck, I.-S. Bach, G. Heine, F. Chopin and some others.
The range of associations that Russians have with the word "Austria" is quite wide. To an open-ended question: "What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word Austria?" answered 56% of respondents. In the opinion of 11% of the respondents, one can first of all say about this state that it is prosperous and stable, with a developed culture; the standard of living in this country is high, its inhabitants live calmly and in abundance:
- "Silence, peace, prosperity" (Hereinafter, all quotes are from answers to open-ended questions.) .
- "Grace" .
- "A country where old people live differently from ours" .
- "Quiet corner of Europe" .
- "Cultural country, people live perfectly" .
- "The ski resorts are very good."
- "Alpine skiing, landscapes - a dream to go there".
- "Good vacation for the rich."
- "Beautiful nature".
- "Beautiful Castles".
- "Waltz Country".
- "Tyrolean Songs".
- "Folk music".
- "Strauss, Mozart, waltz".
- "Cousin of Germany".
- "It's something German."
- "I perceive it as a whole with Germany."
- "The roots are in the German people."
- "Fine Austrian boots".
- "Austrian clock".
- "Nice blades, fine steel."
- "Appliances".
- "Austrian beer".
- "Kutuzov and Alexander I fought there."
- "Suvorov - crossing the Alps".
- "Kaiser Wilhelm".
- "Heat, sea".
- "Ostriches, heat".