SP-VP Exchange of Barbs

More Support for Long-Distance Commuters in Upper Austria

(Bild: P. Huber)

Following the fuel price cap, commuters are now set to receive further relief—at least those who drive more than 25 kilometers to work each day and live in Upper Austria. Here, the income threshold for long-distance commuter assistance is rising from 35,000 to 38,000 euros. Following Governor Thomas Stelzer’s announcement, the SPOÖ immediately fired back.

“We can’t influence oil prices on the world markets. But we can certainly ensure that the consequences for our fellow citizens are cushioned. That’s why I advocated for a stronger fuel price cap at the federal level, and that’s why we’re now stepping up our efforts here in Upper Austria as well. It is precisely those who have to drive many kilometers to work every day who feel the impact of high fuel prices the most. We want to provide them with targeted relief,” said Governor Thomas Stelzer, explaining the decision.

A limit of approximately 3,800 euros gross per month
The new income limit of 38,000 euros in taxable income corresponds roughly to a gross annual salary of about 52,,000 to 54,000 euros, or roughly 3,700 to 3,850 euros gross per month. In addition, the income limit will increase by 3,800 euros for each child in the future, up from the previous 3,500 euros. For a mother or father with two children, for example, the income limit is thus 45,600 euros in taxable annual income. As a result of the increase, the state of Upper Austria expects around 4,000 additional applications. Approximately one million euros in additional funding will be made available for this purpose.

Applications that have already been rejected will be reviewed again
Commuters who have already submitted an application and were rejected due to the previous income limit of 35,000 euros will also benefit from the change: These applications will be reviewed again based on the new income limit. In these cases, it is not necessary to submit a new application.

Here’s how much support is available

Commute of 25 to 49 kilometers: 229 euros

50 to 74 kilometers commute: 322 euros

75 kilometers or more: 442 euros

Subsidy to Be Increased as Early as the End of 2025
Expanding the pool of eligible recipients is the second step toward providing greater support for long-distance commuters. The subsidy rates for the Upper Austrian Long-Distance Commuter Allowance were already raised for the 2025 commuting year. Generally, individuals who regularly commute between their primary residence and place of work—covering a one-way distance of at least 25 kilometers between their municipality of residence and their municipality of employment—are eligible. The subsidy also applies to users of public transportation.

A Dig from the SPÖ
Following the announcement of this measure, the SPÖ Upper Austria took a dig: “Governor Thomas Stelzer has known for at least two days that I would be submitting an oral question to him on Thursday at the start of the state parliament session: Why, in Upper Austria—a state known for its commuters—is he, of all people, as the responsible governor, letting working people down when it comes to long-distance commuter subsidies? And now, just before I confront him with the figures from his own response to the inquiry, he has suddenly seen fit to make the commuter allowance available again to an appropriate group of people. “This is just last-minute damage control,” said SPÖ social affairs spokesperson and parliamentary group chair Sabine Engleitner-Neu.

For the Social Democrats, adjustments like this come too rarely
Two weeks ago, the SPÖ had already highlighted how social and family benefits have lost value in real terms since 2015. The long-distance commuter allowance was among them: “The state’s total expenditures have fallen by one-third since 2015, while inflation rose by more than one-third over the same period. The federal government has shown with its fuel price cap that action is possible. Our demand to Governor Stelzer in the interpellation is therefore: to take concrete steps in Upper Austria. However, a single announcement made shortly before my interpellation is no substitute for an honest, automatic adjustment of all benefits to keep pace with price increases. “We need a binding system that automatically adjusts all social and family benefits to inflation—not just when the SPÖ is watching closely. That is exactly what we are calling for in our motion during the state parliament session,” says Engleitner-Neu.