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633,000 people still receive climate bonus for 2023

As of Thursday, 633,000 more people in Austria will receive the 2023 climate bonus.

(Bild: Sodexo)

More than 8.4 million people have already received the 2023 climate bonus. From Thursday, the money will be paid out to a further 633,000 people. These include newborns and people who have moved house or have no permanent residence.

For the majority, the money will be transferred directly to their account, while others will receive the climate bonus by post as a voucher from March 4. This can be redeemed in thousands of stores in Austria or exchanged for cash. As before, an application does not have to be submitted, the Climate Protection Ministry announced in a press release on Wednesday.

The fixed amount is 110 euros. Depending on how well the region of residence is equipped with public transport, between 40 and 110 euros regional compensation is added. There are four categories in total. Children and young people up to the age of 18 receive half the amount.

CO₂ tax should be redistributed
All people who had their main residence in Austria for at least six months in the previous year are eligible, regardless of their citizenship. However, they must be legally resident in the country.

The climate bonus is intended to redistribute the revenue from the CO₂ tax. "Climate-damaging carbon dioxide has a price. This price must be paid by companies that produce or import fuels in Austria. The climate bonus serves as compensation for the additional costs incurred as a result of CO₂ pricing and has been paid out once a year since 2022," according to the Austrian federal administration's website.

The 2023 bonus has been transferred to 7.4 million people so far, with more than one million receiving it as a voucher.