Austria's 2027/28 Double Budgets Approved with Education Funding Boost

The Austrian National Council’s budget committee discussed the federal double budget for 2027‑28, allocating €12.9 billion per year to education – about 10 % of total outlays. The increase covers measures such as a free second compulsory kindergarten year, expansion of all‑day schools, stronger support for children with disabilities and psychosocial staff, and a modest rise in digital device funding. Education Minister Christoph Wiederkehr noted that details of the kindergarten reform are still being finalised.

In Lower Austria, the Landtag debated its own double budget for the same years. The ÖVP‑FPÖ coalition voted in the plan, while the SPÖ, Greens and NEOS opposed it. The 2027 budget forecasts €9.901 billion in revenues against €10.5 billion in expenditures; 2028 projects €10.378 billion of revenues versus €10.923 billion of expenditures. A €380 million savings target across ministries was met, but overall debt is expected to rise to €11.7 billion by 2028. Savings are planned in property (€30 million), roads (€40 million), culture (€23 million) and refugee aid (€10 million), plus structural cuts such as not refilling one‑third of vacant civil‑service positions. Opposition parties criticised the budget for insufficient focus on health, climate protection and social services.