Politician Salaries Increase Only in Upper Austria So Far
In Austria, the landscape of politician salaries is undergoing significant changes, particularly in Upper Austria. While several regions have opted to suspend salary increases for 2026, Upper Austria stands out as the only state to announce a raise.
Salary Increases in Upper Austria
Upper Austria, governed by a black-blue coalition, plans to increase politician salaries by 3.3% starting July 1. This decision was made public by Governor Thomas Stelzer during the budget presentation this week.
The rationale for this increase is that politician salaries in Upper Austria have lagged five percent below the national standards set by the federal salary law. Stelzer emphasized that they refuse to partake in the devaluation of the political profession.
Current Salary Landscape
As of now, the maximum salary for regional governors stands at €22,657 gross per month. This figure is notably higher than the salaries of federal officials:
- Vice-Chancellor: €20,979
- President of the National Council: €20,025
- Ministers: €19,072
Following the upcoming salary increase, Governor Stelzer’s earnings will rise to €21,304, making him the third-highest paid regional governor. In contrast, Vienna’s Mayor Michael Ludwig earns the highest salary at €22,657, while the Governor of Burgenland, Hans Peter Doskozil, is at the bottom of the scale with €17,645 gross monthly.
Regional Salary Comparisons
The disparity among the salaries across different provinces is significant. For instance, the current earnings of regional parliament members include:
- Niederösterreich: €9,063 (highest)
- Wien: €8,610
- Kärnten: €5,808 (lowest)
- Burgenland: €6,394
While Upper Austria is moving forward with salary increases, other regions, such as Styria, Vorarlberg, Carinthia, Salzburg, and Tyrol, have declared a salary freeze for 2026.
Impact of Salary Freezes
The continued salary freezes in various provinces have resulted in a widening gap in political salaries. Even with potential adjustments based on inflation, such as the 2.6% increase applicable under the new federal salary law, many politicians find themselves at the lower end of the salary spectrum.
Critics point out that the frequent salary freezes for federal officials have significantly devalued their earnings since the introduction of the Federal Salary Law in 1997. The Austrian Court of Auditors has raised concerns about the imbalance in the salary structure, asserting that it deviates from the original intent of creating fair and transparent remuneration for public officials.
Future Developments
The Austrian government has announced a plan to reevaluate the adjustment mechanism for politician salaries, indicating potential changes in the upcoming years. For now, the situation in Upper Austria illustrates a unique path amidst a trend of salary suspensions across the country.
