Austria to ban salary history inquiries in job interviews

Starting June 7, 2026, employers in Austria will be prohibited from asking job candidates about their current or previous salaries during the hiring process. This change follows a European directive on pay transparency aimed at reducing wage inequality and protecting employees.

According to the Austrian Chamber of Labour (Arbeiterkammer), the new rules ensure that future wages are determined by the requirements, responsibilities, and experience of the role rather than previous earnings. This prevents existing pay gaps from being carried over to new positions. Additionally, candidates will have the right to receive information regarding the expected starting salary or pay range for a position before signing a contract.