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LIVING IN AUSTRIA

People in parts of Austria to be sent test emergency alerts on Monday

Austria will launch a test of its new population warning system, "AT-Alert," on Monday. Here's what you need to know

Published: 6 September 2024 12:13 CEST
People in parts of Austria to be sent test emergency alerts on Monday
Photo by Chad Madden on Unsplash

Austria’s new AT-Alert system will send test emergency warnings directly to mobile phones of all residents in Tyrol and nearby areas to check with it is working correctly.

The AT-Alert system has been created to help faster crisis communication during disasters.

This system delivers emergency warnings directly to mobile phones without needing an app or registration. It is designed to notify people in crisis situations such as extreme weather, police incidents, or industrial accidents.

The Monday test will send alerts to mobile phones in specific regions in Tyrol. The Provincial Warning Centre (LWZ) and local mobile operators will send messages. Residents near state borders may also receive warnings from neighbouring regions. 

READ ALSO: Achtung… Gefahr’: What do Austria’s weather warnings actually mean?

Tyrol’s government says the Monday test messages will be “clearly formulated as test warnings”.

The highest alert level, the “emergency alert,” is activated automatically and cannot be switched off, ensuring that everyone in the designated test areas receives the message, according to a government press release.

What is the AT-Alert system?

The Federal Ministry of the Interior developed the AT-Alert system as part of Austria’s broader efforts to modernise its emergency response capabilities. The system can issue faster and more targeted warnings based on geographical location, delivering important safety recommendations within seconds of a potential crisis.

“This means that all those affected – whether locals, guests or people passing through – will be warned of a possible danger within a very short time,” said provincial councillor Astrid Mair.

The highest alert level, which will be primarily used during the test, does not require any action from users. However, lower warning levels need to be activated manually in mobile phone settings. 

READ ALSO: What is Austria’s official emergency-warning phone app and do I need it?

The system complements traditional public warning systems, such as sirens, ensuring that those without a phone are still alerted in case of an emergency.

Elmar Rizzoli, Head of the Tyrolean Centre for Crisis and Disaster Management, emphasised that the test phase will involve various alerts sent across different municipalities and districts in Tyrol. 

During this period, citizens will receive messages formulated clearly as test warnings.

For further information on AT-Alert, instructions for activating warning levels, and details about the test, citizens can visit www.at-alert.at or www.tirol.gv.at/at-alert.

READ NEXT: Ten essential apps foreigners need for life in Vienna

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LIVING IN AUSTRIA

Familienbeihilfe: How can I get Austria’s family allowance payments?

Austrian residents raising children are eligible for family allowance, a monthly payment to help with child costs. But how much can you receive and how do you get the payments?

Published: 13 September 2024 16:06 CEST
Familienbeihilfe: How can I get Austria's family allowance payments?

If you have children and live in Austria, you may be entitled to receive Familienbeihilfe, or family allowance, a subsidy that helps parents with the costs of raising children. 

This allowance is available to Austrian residents whose centre of life is in Austria, provided they live in a shared household with their child. The family allowance applies to children up to the age of 18 but may be extended to 24 or 25 in some instances.

How do I apply for it?

In most cases, family allowance is granted automatically upon the birth of a child in Austria without the need for an application. 

The tax office will inform you of your entitlement after your child is born and registered in Austria. Still, you may be asked to provide additional details such as bank information – or further proof that your centre of life is in Austria. For example, the Financial Office in Austria (Finanzamt) may ask you to show proof that you live and work in the country. 

READ ALSO: What you need to know about parental leave in Austria

If an application is required – usually when the child was not born in Austria- if you are moving here with your family, it must be submitted to the local tax office either online via FinanzOnline or in person.

You will need to provide the birth certificate and residence registration (Meldezettel) for both the child and the applicant.

You can apply online at FinanzOnline, search for Familienbeihilfe on the website, and then click on the application page. You can also use the form Beih100 and hand it in in person after an appointment, sending it to the Finanzamt by mail or dropping it in the post box outside each local Finanz office. You can check addresses HERE.

How much is the family allowance?

The monthly family allowance depends on the age of the child:

  • €132.30 from birth
  • €141.50 when the child turns 3
  • €164.20 from age 10
  • €191.60 from age 19

If you have multiple children, you are entitled to a supplementary allowance that increases with each additional child. The Austrian government also provides a school start allowance of €116.10 in August for children aged between 6 and 15.

For children with significant disabilities, the allowance is increased by €180.90 per month, provided you submit a medical certificate certifying the child’s disability.

How is Family Allowance paid?

Payments are made monthly, and the parent in charge of the household, usually the mother, receives the allowance. However, the mother can waive this right in favour of the other parent if desired. Since January 2024, the amount has been adjusted automatically for inflation, ensuring continued support for families as living costs rise.

READ NEXT: What you need to know about Austria’s child support benefits

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