In the course of the savings budget, the Ministry of the Interior will carry out a major reform of service time for its nearly 40,000 employees. Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP) emphasizes that the saving pressure is not in the foreground of the project, but there should be a significant reduction in the extension.
The Ministry of the Interior has to save 90 million euros this year. After a record year 2024 with 7.3 million overtime hours, which caused the costs of 417 million euros, overtime hours this year must be reduced by 20 percent. However, this not only influences the police on the street, but also the flat -rate and overtime of employees in the central management of the ministry. The necessary overtime hours in public safety, such as spontaneous sites or major events, are not influenced, is emphasized.
75 percent of the budget for staff
In general, the budget of the Ministry of the Interior will increase at least from 4.011 to EUR 4.155 billion in 2025, by around 75 percent of the total costs that the staff have and this increases noticeable every year. This means that there is no plus, but a savings requirement.
As many police officers than ever before and more overtime than ever before
20 years after the greatest reform, the merger of the police and Gendarmerie, “The Last Component” must also be laid with an office reform. “Less is more” is the motto of the planned reform. “Less overtime, more clay! Because we have more staff than ever,” says a letter from Karner and State Secretary Jörg Leichtfried to the staff who went out tonight. “There are currently as many police officers like never before and as many police -students like never before. At the same time, however, so many overtime hours than ever.
Templation for new service model from 2026
The service systems are outdated and no longer meet the needs of employees. There are no details about the reform yet. It is “a white paper”, you will be based on international examples and other organizations. The elaboration takes place this year. You want to start with a test operation next year.
Just like all other ministries, Karner also wants to save at the administration and in the central office. Only every third departure is filled here. It is also shortened by business trips, public relations and the fleet. Savings are also saved by the police. The recruitment premiums, the free climate and the free driver’s license are canceled. The increased content remains.
State Secretary Leichtfried, responsible for government safety, focuses on the danger monitoring in his area. “On the one hand this is about a major intervention of fundamental rights, but at the same time also for people who are just in favor of attacking,” said Leichtfried. “It is about serious crimes. Surveillance is limited to 35 people a year, if there are more, the parliament must be reported.” His second focus is the prevention work against online aditalization, which is the best way to intervene before something happens.
Illegal migration fell sharply
The decrease in illegal migration saves Carner 100 million euros. The budget for this area will fall from 788 million to 693 million in 2025. Above all, the suspension of the family’s reunification and the revolution in Syria has had an impact. Asylum applications from Syria fell by 80 to 90 percent.
The Minister Claudia Plakolm (ÖVP) who is responsible for integration has announced a stricter course for mandatory German courses for asylum seekers in her budget presentation. In the future, for example, social benefits must be shortened when removing distances. In addition, a mandatory integration program must be introduced, including competencies screening and values and German placement. If German courses are not accepted, there will be deductible. In the future, a pure presence in German courses should no longer be sufficient. Plakolm mentions similar regulations as a model in the upper Austria or Lower Austria. The innovation must come into effect from 2026.
“If you want to live with us, you should participate,” said Plakolm. This includes learning the German language, trying to make a job and adhere to the “rules and values”. “We expect this from everyone who wants a long -term perspective.” Learning the German language will be a “very central component”.
Less costs expected from integration
With a view to falling asylum numbers, Plakolm also emphasizes that they expect fewer funds. In comparison with the previous year, the number of asylum fairs fell by two -thirds, accordingly the funds in the regular budget for 2025 and 2026 are also adjusted. With the future new possibility of sanction, fewer courses will also be expected.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
