The government is again suspending the statutory increase in federal rates this year. This includes all procedures with the authorities, such as building permits, vehicle registrations, driver’s licenses, passports and ID cards. The current tariff freeze applies until July 2023. The total tariff adjustment this year would be around 19 million euros.
In particular, the fee freeze relates to “all submissions and writings to authorities and entrusted companies”, i.e. also government agencies and municipalities, as well as licensing authorities, which are governed by the Fees Act 1957.
The government justifies its measure with the currently high inflation. “Especially when it comes to fees for new documents, suspending the increase is a simple step that federal, state and local governments can take immediately,” said Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler (Greens).
“Naturally”
For Finance Minister Magnus Brunner (ÖVP), the allowance freeze in times of high inflation is “a matter of course”. Necessary official channels must remain affordable. It is not the first time that the rate increase has been suspended: according to the law, an increase with retroactive effect to 2011 is actually possible. With such a retrospective valorisation, an adult passport would today cost 95.80 euros instead of 75.90 euros.
Source: Krone
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