About Austria
Austria, formally the Republic of Austria, is a landlocked country in the southern part of Central Europe, lying in the Eastern Alps. It is a federation of nine states, one of which is the capital, Vienna, the most populous city and state. Austria, , is a landlocked country in East Central Europe which borders the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Liechtenstein, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Switzerland. The country covers an area of 83,871 km², making Austria somewhat smaller than Portugal (92,090 km²), or slightly smaller than the U.S. state of Maine.
The country is mostly dominated in the west and south by mountains (the Alps). Austria's highest point is Grossglockner mountain, with a height of 3,798 m (12,460 ft.).
The major rivers north of the watershed of the Austrian Alps are the Inn, the Salzach, and the Enns, they are tributaries of the Danube. The rivers south of the watershed are the Gail and Drau rivers in Carinthia and the Mürz and Mur rivers.
Austria has a population of nearly 8.7 million people (in 2016), capital and largest city is Vienna, with a population of 1.8 million people. Spoken language is Austrian German (official), spoken regional languages are Croatian, Hungarian, and Slovene.
Political system
Austria is a federal parliamentary republic with a head of government - the chancellor - and a head of state - the president. The country consists of 9 states (Bundesländer). Both regional and federal governments exercise executive power. The federal Parliament consists of 2 chambers: the Lower House (Nationalrat) - directly elected - and the Upper House (Bundesrat) - elected by regional parliaments.
Trade and economy
The most important sectors of Austria’s economy in 2020 industry (21.4%), Wholesale and retail trade, transport, accommodation and food service activities (20.4%) and public administration, defence, education, human health and social work activities (18.6%).
Intra-EU trade accounts for 69% of Austria’s exports (Germany 30%, Italy 6%, and France 4%), while outside the EU 6% go to the United States and 5% to Switzerland.
In terms of imports, 77% come from EU Member States (Germany 41%, Italy 6% and Czechia and the Netherlands 4%), while outside the EU 5% come from Switzerland and 4% from China.
Austria in the EU
European Parliament
There are 18 members of the European Parliament from Austria. Find out who these MEPs are.
European Parliament office in AustriaDE•••
Council of the EU
In the Council of the EU, national ministers meet regularly to adopt EU laws and coordinate policies. Council meetings are regularly attended by representatives from the Austrian government, depending on the policy area being addressed.
Presidency of the Council of the EU
The Council of the EU doesn't have a permanent, single-person president (like e.g. the Commission or Parliament). Instead, its work is led by the country holding the Council presidency, which rotates every 6 months.
During these 6 months, ministers from that country's government chair and help determine the agenda of Council meetings in each policy area, and facilitate dialogue with the other EU institutions.
Dates of Austrian presidencies:
Jul-Dec 1998 | Jan-Jun 2006 | July-Dec 2018
Presidency of the Council of the EU
Current presidency of the Council of the EU
European Commission
The Commissioner nominated by Austria to the European Commission is Johannes Hahn, who is responsible for Budget and Administration.
The Commission is represented in each EU country by a local office, called a "representation".
Commission representation in AustriaDE•••
European Economic & Social Committee
Austria has 12 representatives on the European Economic and Social Committee. This advisory body – representing employers, workers and other interest groups – is consulted on proposed laws, to get a better idea of the possible changes to work and social situations in member countries.
European Committee of the Regions
Austria has 12 representatives on the European Committee of the Regions, the EU's assembly of regional and local representatives. This advisory body is consulted on proposed laws, to ensure these laws take account of the perspective from each region of the EU.
Permanent representation to the EU
Austria also communicates with the EU institutions through its permanent representation in Brussels. As Austria's "embassy to the EU", its main task is to ensure that the country's interests and policies are pursued as effectively as possible in the EU.
Budgets and Funding
How much does Austria pay and receive?
How much each EU country pays into the EU budget is calculated fairly, according to means. The larger your country's economy, the more it pays – and vice versa.
The EU budget doesn't aim to redistribute wealth, but rather focuses on the needs of Europeans as a whole.
Figures on the EU budget, revenue and spending:
- EU budget
- EU spending & revenue by year and by country
EU-funded projects in Austria
The money paid into the EU budget by Austria helps fund programmes and projects in all EU countries - like building roads, subsidising researchers and protecting the environment.
Find out more about how Austria benefits from EU funding.
Austria has some of the best universities in the world ranking high in the global university rankings like the University of Vienna (the oldest and most famous university of the country),
© Modul University Vienna/Markus Schieder