Klimabonus
2022 marks the beginning of a new chapter for climate protection in Austria: A price is being put on climate-damaging CO2, while environmentally sound behaviour is rewarded. So, anyone who takes care of the climate gets to keep more of the Klimabonus in their pocket. In light of the recent price hikes, this year’s bonus is now being increased to provide greater relief to people in Austria.
What is the Klimabonus?
A bonus payment. For everyone living in Austria. The money comes from the CO2 revenue, which will be introduced from October 2022.
Who gets the Klimabonus?
Everyone. Everyone who has had their main residence in Austria for at least six months in 2022 will get the Klimabonus. Regardless of citizenship and age.
How do you get it?
Automatically. The Klimabonus is transferred directly to your account or sent you by post. In 2022 it will be paid out as from the beginning of September.
And how much do you get?
€500 or €250. In 2022 all adults will get €500. Minors get half. From 2023 the amount of the Klimabonus payout depends on the region of your main residence.
The Klimabonus: The background
From October 2022, a new chapter for climate protection begins in Austria. Thanks to the eco-social tax reform, a price has finally been put on climate-damaging CO2.
The additional money will flow directly back to the people in the form of the Klimabonus and climate-friendly behaviour will finally be rewarded. The Klimabonus will be paid out annually and go to anyone whose main residence is in Austria for at least six months of the year. It goes to adults as well as children, regardless of origin or citizenship.
2022: An exceptional year
In light of current inflation levels and the recent price hikes, the Klimabonus is now being increased to €500 for all adults in 2022 as a one-time payout. For children and young people up to the age of 18, half the amount will be paid out, i.e. €250.
What next?
From 2023, the Klimabonus will vary based on the region you live in — as originally intended. The amount will then depend on how good the infrastructure and public transport connections are at your place of residence. One thing is certain: Those who opt for climate-friendly behaviour will now have more of the Klimabonus in their pockets.
Switching to climate-friendly alternatives is not always possible in some regions of Austria, as infrastructure or public transport has not yet been developed sufficiently. The amount of the Klimabonus therefore always depends on your main place of residence.
Further information on the eco-social tax reform and the CO2 pricing can be found here.
How it works
At least 9 million people will receive the Klimabonus. To make this as quick and easy as possible, the Klimabonus will be paid out in two different ways: By bank transfer to your account or by post.
Payments will start in September 2022. Given the amount of letters, this could take some time.
But the most important thing is that you don't have to do anything to receive the Klimabonus.
There are two payout methods:
Fast and simple: The Klimabonus goes straight to your account
If you regularly receive money from the State, you don't have to do anything. The Klimabonus will be transfered automatically. This applies, for example, to pensioners, child benefit recipients and those who receive special allowances.
All those whose current account number is stored in FinanzOnline, will also receive their bonus automatically. This includes everyone who uses FinanzOnline to settle their annual taxes electronically.
Since the Klimabonus will now be paid out once a year, the account data provided is also checked annually on a fixed cut-off date. For the year 2022, this cut-off date was 22 July. If your account data on FinanzOnline was not up-to-date on that day, the Klimabonus will be sent by post this year in the form of a voucher.
Nevertheless, be sure to check and update your account data on FinanzOnline in order to receive the money directly into your account from 2023. This can be done in three simple steps:
Step 2
Log in with your smartphone signature, citizen card or your FinanzOnline access data.
Step 3
Enter your current IBAN under bank details.
Click on "Change" at the bottom right to save the data.
You can register here if you do not have access, or you do not have a smartphone signature yet.
Please follow the instructions on the link.
Alternative: The Klimabonus comes as a voucher by post
Don't have an account? Then you will get the Klimabonus sent to your main residence. The safest way is the RSa letter, which is only delivered to you in person or can be collected at the post office with a photo ID.
If you are expecting a voucher but are usually not at home, there is a way to save yourself a trip to the post office: Grant a proxy so that any person of legal age in your household can receive the Klimabonus on your behalf.
- Fill out the Klimabonus Proxy form.
Important: Don’t forget to include the ID details and the signature! - Keep the proxy form in a safe place, one where it is easy to access.
- When the delivery person arrives with the Klimabonus, the proxy just needs to show the signed proxy form and the respective ID in order to receive the Klimabonus on your behalf.
If nobody is at home when the delivery person calls, the Klimabonus will be safely deposited at the nearest post office and you will be informed as to where you can pick it up. Please note: The Klimabonus can then only be collected in person. The proxy is not valid here.
The vouchers can be redeemed anywhere from the supermarket to the bookshop to thousands of stores or exchanged for cash at our bank partner.
To find out where, click here:
Partner
Here you can search for businesses in your area or specific shops. The search is conducted in the Sodexo database. To do this, your request must be submitted to Sodexo.
For more information, please see our Data Protection Policy.
Perhaps you have a shop or business and want to become a partner that accepts the Klimabonus voucher?
Use the following link to register your company as a redemption point:
How much you get
In 2022 the Klimabonus will be €500 for all adults and €250 for children up to the age of 18.
This amount is a one-off increase in the Klimabonus due to current inflation levels and the related price hikes.
Also in the coming years everyone with a main residence in Austria will receive a Klimabonus annually. From 2023, the amount will depend on your main residence, in line with the original plan.
Still have questions?
We have collected the most frequently asked questions under Q&A. The Q&A is only available in German.
Contact
Our service team is available to answer any enquiries. Please note that contact is made in German.
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