Austria's Welfare Support For Refugees: How Much?

Refugees in Austria receive a lower amount of welfare benefits than Austrian nationals. The amount varies depending on the region and the refugee's living situation. For example, in Upper Austria, refugees with a permanent Residence Permit receive €921.30 per month, while in Lower Austria, refugees receive lower amounts of needs-based benefits than nationals. In addition, single refugees in Vorarlberg who receive a minimum income do not get housing compensation but are transferred directly to landlords through the social department. They only receive the minimum income if they live in shared flats.

Asylum seekers in private rented flats receive 36.5% of the needs-based minimum allowance for citizens

Asylum seekers in private rented flats in Austria receive 36.5% of the needs-based minimum allowance for citizens. This is about €1,155.84 per month for subsistence (accommodation for a single person in Vienna). The allowance varies across the federal provinces, as political agreement to prolong an Austrian-wide regulation after its expiry by December 2016 was not reached.

The level of the needs-based minimum allowance for citizens is €889.84, while refugees receive €522.50, including a bonus of €155 granted when they take part in integration measures such as language courses. In Upper Austria, the general level of needs-based benefits is €921.30 per month, including for refugees with a permanent Residence Permit. In Lower Austria, refugees receive lower amounts of needs-based benefits than nationals. Single refugees receive the minimum income only if they live in shared flats. If a person entitled to asylum decides to live in their own apartment, the compensation will amount only to the costs of a shared room. Single persons receive up to €503 for their rent.

Refugees with a permanent residence permit in Upper Austria receive €921.30 per month

Refugees in Austria receive varying amounts of welfare depending on their status and location.

In Upper Austria, refugees with a permanent residence permit receive €921.30 per month in needs-based benefits. This is the same amount as the general level of needs-based benefits.

In Lower Austria, refugees receive lower amounts of needs-based benefits than Austrian nationals. Refugees receive €522.50, including a bonus of €155 for taking part in integration measures such as language courses. Single refugees only receive the minimum income if they live in shared flats. If a refugee decides to live in their own apartment, they will only receive compensation for the costs of a shared room. Single persons can receive up to €503 for their rent.

Asylum seekers living in private rented flats receive 36.5% of the needs-based minimum allowance for citizens in need of social welfare support, which is about €1,155.84 per month. The level of the needs-based minimum allowance varies across the federal provinces, as political agreement to prolong an Austrian-wide regulation after its expiry by December 2016 was not reached.

Refugees in Lower Austria receive lower needs-based benefits than Austrian nationals

The Austrian Constitutional Court has dismissed a complaint against this differentiation on the ground that subsidiary protection is more provisional a status than refugee status, thereby justifying differential treatment in social benefits.

Asylum seekers living in private rented flats receive 36.5% of the needs-based minimum allowance for citizens in need of social welfare support. This is about €1,155.84 for subsistence per month (accommodation for a single person in Vienna). The level of the needs-based minimum allowance varies across the federal provinces, as political agreement to prolong an Austrian-wide regulation after its expiry by December 2016 was not reached.

In Vorarlberg, refugees who receive a minimum income do not receive housing compensation but are transferred to landlords directly through the social department. Single refugees receive the minimum income only if they live in shared flats. If a person entitled to asylum decides to live in their own apartment, the compensation will amount only to the costs of a shared room. Single persons receive up to €503 for their rent.

Refugees receive €522.50 per month, plus a €155 bonus for taking part in integration measures

Refugees in Austria receive €522.50 per month, plus a €155 bonus for taking part in integration measures such as language courses. This is less than the €889.84 received by Austrian nationals.

The amount of welfare refugees receive varies across Austria. In Upper Austria, the general level of needs-based benefits is €921.30 per month, including for refugees with a permanent Residence Permit. In Lower Austria, refugees have received lower amounts of needs-based benefits than nationals since 2016. In Vorarlberg, refugees who receive a minimum income do not get housing compensation but are transferred to landlords directly through the social department. Single refugees only receive the minimum income if they live in shared flats. If they live in their own apartment, the compensation will only amount to the costs of a shared room. Single persons receive up to €503 for their rent.

Asylum seekers living in private rented flats receive 36.5% of the needs-based minimum allowance for citizens in need of social welfare support. This is about €1,155.84 for subsistence per month (accommodation for a single person in Vienna). The level of the needs-based minimum allowance varies across the federal provinces, as political agreement to prolong an Austrian-wide regulation after its expiry by December 2016 was not reached. The sum given to a care provider, €750 per month (€25 per day) for accommodation and subsistence of asylum seekers, is below the level of welfare support for citizens, despite staff and administrative costs having to be covered by the care provider.

Single refugees in Vorarlberg who receive a minimum income do not get housing compensation

In Austria, refugees receive less in welfare than Austrian nationals. While Austrian nationals receive €889.84, refugees receive €522.50, including a bonus of €155 granted when they take part in integration measures such as language courses. The amount of welfare refugees receive also varies across the federal provinces. In Upper Austria, the general level of needs-based benefits is €921.30 per month, including for refugees with a permanent Residence Permit. In Lower Austria, refugees receive lower amounts of needs-based benefits than nationals.

In Vorarlberg, refugees who receive a minimum income do not get housing compensation. Instead, their rent is paid directly to their landlords through the social department. Single refugees receive the minimum income only if they live in shared flats. If a person entitled to asylum decides to live in their own apartment, the compensation will amount only to the costs of a shared room. Single persons receive up to €503 for their rent. Asylum seekers living in private rented flats receive 36.5% of the needs-based minimum allowance for citizens in need of social welfare support, which is about €1,155.84 for subsistence per month (accommodation for a single person in Vienna, rent allowance is calculated individually and will be added).

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