Asylum: New cost model should relieve the burden on the federal states

2023-09-15 17:58:00

VIENNA. The costs of basic care for refugees will be redistributed. The plan is to switch to a so-called real cost model, which will initially be tested in Vienna for four years. Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (VP) and city councilor Peter Hacker (SP) announced this in a joint press conference on Friday.

This shouldn’t cost more money, but the federal government will cover a larger share of the costs.

For years, the states have complained that the payments made by the federal government do not cover the real costs of accommodating and caring for refugees. The federal government and the city of Vienna have now come together and developed a model that is intended to relieve the burden on the federal capital and the aid organizations in terms of accommodation and care.

Video: More money from the federal government for asylum care

For special groups such as unaccompanied minor refugees and those in need of care, the real cost model for 2023 will apply retroactively to the beginning of the year. In 2024, all other people who are housed in organized quarters will be added. The additional expenditure for the federal government is estimated at seven million in the first year.

However, other countries are also invited to join the model. Discussions about this should begin soon.

The costs are currently billed as a flat rate. There is 95 euros per day for children and young people, 48 euros for those in need of care, 25 euros for people in organized accommodation. If the costs were higher, either the Vienna Social Fund or the supporting NGO had to step in.