Austria’s government on Tuesday introduced a broad package of laws aimed at easing the cost of living and pushing inflation down to 2 percent next year, according to “Heute”. The ruling coalition, made up of the ÖVP, SPÖ, and NEOS, presented the measures as a central part of its pledge to make everyday life affordable again.
At the heart of the package are two major proposals: a sweeping reform of the country’s electricity market through a new Electricity Industry Act, and a “shrinkflation” law designed to curb hidden price hikes in consumer goods. Leaders said the reforms are meant to bring more honesty to store shelves, strengthen competition, and end tactics that disguise rising prices. “People should be able to see at a glance what a product costs and what’s inside it,” said Chancellor Christian Stocker, whose remarks were delivered at the briefing by Economy Minister Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer.
The government also approved a 500 million-euro Health Reform Fund aimed at improving outpatient care, increasing efficiency, and better coordinating patient pathways across the healthcare system. Officials said the investment is meant to strengthen long-term access to medical services, especially as demand continues to rise.
Alongside the consumer-focused measures, the coalition agreed to tighten its campaign against tax fraud, projecting more than 1.4 billion euros in additional revenue by 2029 through stricter enforcement and new oversight tools.
Stocker emphasized that the new energy reforms are the most significant in two decades. The “low-cost electricity law,” he said, will make power more affordable, ensure stable grids, and guarantee that declining wholesale prices reach households and businesses. Electricity and gas will be placed under the Price Law to prevent future price spikes and allow the government to intervene when markets become unstable.
“With this package, we are giving people and businesses real planning security again: fair prices, clear rules, and reliable, affordable energy,” Stocker said. “It strengthens confidence in our economy, supports the recovery, and moves us a decisive step closer to our goal of 2 percent inflation next year.”
