Is there a social tariff or cheaper phone and internet for people on a low income in Austria?
If you are 18 or over, receive for example a pension, unemployment benefit, care allowance or social assistance, and your household net income is no more than 12% above the Ausgleichszulage rate, you can get a monthly credit on your phone bill.
Some countries have a social tariff or other support so that people on a low income can afford a phone and internet connection, and many guarantee a basic connection. What exists in Austria is below.
📜 The rules in Austria
The scheme
Zuschussleistung zum Fernsprechentgelt (Fernsprechentgeltzuschuss)
Who qualifies
Adults whose household net income is at most 12% above the Ausgleichszulage rate and who receive e.g. a pension, unemployment benefit, care allowance, student grant or social assistance, or who are apprentices or deaf or severely hearing-impaired.
The details
- The subsidy is not paid out: it is credited to your phone bill or applied as a social tariff. It applies only to private landline or mobile connections, one per household. (obs.at)
- The subsidy is 10 euros a month, set by the phone subsidy regulation (FEZVO § 1). (ris.bka.gv.at)
- Apply to OBS with the combined form, attach proof of your entitlement and the income of everyone in your household, and name a participating provider. Forward the decision to your provider quickly. (obs.at)
- Student-grant recipients, apprentices and deaf or severely hearing-impaired people can also qualify, under the same income limit. The subsidy is granted for at most five years, and OBS decisions can be appealed to the Federal Administrative Court (FeZG §§ 3, 5, 9). (ris.bka.gv.at)
- Universal service gives every consumer the right to internet with adequate bandwidth and voice calls at a fixed location at an affordable price, by fixed or mobile network. If no provider offers it, contact RTR's Schlichtungsstelle first. (rtr.at)
ORF-Beitrags Service GmbH (OBS)
Decides on applications for the phone-bill subsidy (Zuschussleistung zum Fernsprechentgelt).
RTR-GmbH – Schlichtungsstelle für Kommunikationsdienste
Free dispute resolution with phone, internet and TV providers once your written complaint to the provider has failed.
🪜 Step by step
- See what existsThe schemes and rights in Austria are listed on this page, with who qualifies.
- Check whether you qualifySupport is often linked to benefits, age, disability or income. Have proof ready.
- Apply or ask your providerSome schemes need an application; others are offered through the providers.
- Look for cheaper plansBasic plans, prepaid SIMs and mobile internet can cost less than a full package.
📇 Who to contact
❓ Questions
Is there a right to a basic internet connection?
Many countries guarantee a basic connection at an affordable price. The rule for Austria, if there is one, is on this page.
Do I have to apply?
Usually yes. The details for Austria are on this page.
Can I get help with a debt to my provider?
Ask the provider for a payment plan, and contact free debt advice before your line is cut off.
📎 Sources
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