Factsheet for measure
AT-1966-1/3431
– measures in Austria
Disaster Fund Act
Katastrophenfondsgesetz
Background information
In Austria, the responsibility for "promoting the repair of damage caused by natural disasters to the assets of physical and legal persons" falls under the jurisdiction of the (nine) federal states. However, with the Disaster Fund Act first implemented in 1966 (and amended in 1996 to its current version), state funds for the prevention through torrent and avalanche control and assistance to the provinces enabling them to make support payments to victims have been provided.
Content of measure
The disaster fund was set up in order to provide financing for measures to prevent future disaster damage and to repair disaster damage that has occurred - in addition to funds by the respective regional states. The fund furthermore also co-finances emergency equipment for fire departments as well as the warning and alarm system and supports crop insurance premiums.
The fund is financed through shares of income tax (assessed income tax, payroll tax, capital gains taxes) and corporate income tax.
Private individuals whose assets have been damaged by natural disasters can apply for support from the disaster fund directly at their respective municipality. The amount of aid is determined in the respective guidelines of the regional state. (In addition, further damages are covered by the fund, e.g. damage to the federal states, to the municipalities, hail insurance).
Most recently, the fund has provided finances during the floods in the southern states of Carinthia and Styria in early August 2023, co-financed by the respective regional funds.
There is also a specific disaster fund run by the Austrian Trade Union Federation (ÖGB) to which members who have faced a natural disaster may apply.
Use of measure
Numbers of beneficiaries for 2023 are not available (yet).
In the latest, bi-annual report reporting on 2020 and 2021, deposits €415 million and €509 million were made. Of this, 75.7% of the funds were dedicated to prevention; 13.8% to damages (incl. private persons); and 10.5% to fire brigades.
Target groups
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Workers
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Businesses
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Citizens
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Applies to all workers
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Applies to all businesses
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Applies to all citizens
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Actors and funding
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Actors
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Funding
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National government
Local / regional government
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National funds
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Social partners
Social partners' role in
designing the measure
and form of involvement:
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Trade unions
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Employers' organisations
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Role
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Unknown
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Unknown
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Form
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Not applicable
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Not applicable
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Social partners' role in the
implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:
-
Unknown
-
Main level of involvement: N/A
Involvement
Involvement in the state Act/state fund unknown. Involvement in ÖGB's own disaster fund was unilateral.
Views and reactions
Views are unknown.
Sources
