Austria's Finance Minister Markus Marterbauer presents 2027/28 double budget

Finance Minister Markus Marterbauer outlined Austria's "double budget" for 2027‑28, targeting a reduction of the federal deficit by about five billion euros. The plan combines spending cuts—most notably a two‑billion‑euro reduction in wage‑related costs—with additional revenue measures, including a rise in corporate tax and a new "package tax" on online parcels.

The budget also funds a five‑percent cut in value‑added tax on staple foods, financed by the package tax and a 400‑million‑euro shift from other areas. Pension spending remains the largest outlay, at roughly 35‑36 billion euros annually, while the overall deficit is projected at 15.5 billion euros in 2027 and 13.2 billion euros in 2028, moving Austria closer to the EU Maastricht limit.

Marterbauer emphasized that the measures are fully counter‑financed and stressed the need for flexibility to respond to economic uncertainties. The plan also includes a freeze on increases to party and club funding for 2027‑28.