Austria's 2027‑28 budget boosts women's spending and cuts labour costs

The Austrian federal government approved a double‑budget for 2027‑28 that lifts the women’s budget to €55.3 million, a 61 percent increase and the highest level in the country’s history. The record allocation is aimed at strengthening counseling centres for women and girls, protecting victims of violence and reinforcing the Equality Ombudsman and Commission.

The budget also includes a reduction in wage‑related ancillary costs for employers, a key demand of the Austrian Business Federation (WKÖ). The government reaffirmed its refusal to introduce inheritance or wealth taxes, labeling them as harmful to businesses and jobs. WKÖ officials said the fiscal plan provides planning certainty, supports investment and calls for further structural reforms to sustain growth and competitiveness.