Vienna: Local tax rises to 8.5% – second place in Europe!
Vienna will increase the local tax to 8.5% from 2025, which will move the city to second place in a European comparison.

Vienna: Local tax rises to 8.5% – second place in Europe!
Vienna is getting ready for 2025, and the focus is on some striking changes. In particular, the increase in local tax to 8.5 percent of overnight turnover is an issue that affects not only tourists, but also locals. How travel before9 reports, our city is now in a respectable second place in a European comparison - only Amsterdam charges higher taxes at 12.5 percent. This can be a real challenge for many hoteliers in Vienna, as the tax is rated 338 percent higher than the average for EU capitals.
In addition to the local tax, Vienna also wants to adjust the tariffs for parking and public transport. From 2026 there will be 30 percent more for short-term parking zones, and the parking fee for residents will rise from 10 to 13 euros per month. The press emphasizes that Vienna is becoming more expensive than Berlin, Munich and Paris, but still remains cheaper than Zurich and Amsterdam.
High parking costs and comparison with other cities
An international comparison shows that parking fees in Vienna, at 3.40 euros per hour, are at the upper end compared to cities such as Munich, Berlin, Zurich and Prague. For residents, parking will soon cost 156 euros annually. In contrast, Budapest charges a maximum of 1.50 euros per hour, while in Paris prices can go up to 6 euros per hour or even 18 euros for SUVs.
- Parkgebühren in Wien: 3,40 € pro Stunde
- Parkgebühren in Berlin: im oberen Bereich, jedoch günstiger als Wien
- Parkgebühren in Prag: rund 2 Euro
- Parkgebühren in Paris: bis zu 18 € für Nicht-Pariser
- Parkgebühren in Budapest: 1,50 € maximal
Public transportation
When it comes to public transport, Vienna remains relatively cheap compared to other European countries. Despite the planned increase in the Wiener Linien annual ticket from 365 to 461 euros, the fares are still cheaper than in many other large cities, such as Paris, Zurich or Berlin. Nevertheless, it remains to be seen how the price adjustments will affect Vienna's former top ranking in the area of "Public services and quality of life in European cities", where it took first place in 2021.
The overall picture of the cost of living in Vienna therefore remains complex. Loud Numbeo A comparison with other European cities shows that Vienna is more expensive in some aspects, while remaining in the middle in others, particularly in public transport prices. The question will be whether the planned changes will also have an impact on Vienna's tourist attractiveness.
Vienna is entering a new phase in which not only the tourism industry, but also the everyday living conditions of its citizens are being put to the test. One thing is certain: something is happening - and the coming years could be decisive for where the journey will take Vienna's residents and guests.