Solidarity required

What family reunification means for the budget

In February of this year, 22,878 applications for minimum income were submitted to MA 40.

(Bild: Zwefo, Krone KREATIV)

Refugees usually seek their fortune in Vienna. Thousands of Syrians are now bringing their families, the majority of whom are coming to Vienna. But what does this mean for minimum income expenditure?

Vienna is taking care of almost twice as many asylum seekers as the quota agreement stipulates. Not because the federal capital is making a special effort. But because the other federal states are simply not fulfilling their obligations.

Three out of four go straight to Vienna
This means an enormous burden for Vienna - for the budget as well as for the population. Vienna is also a magnet for asylum seekers. If the decision is granted, three out of four move to Vienna according to current figures. Vienna's Deputy Mayor Christoph Wiederkehr (Neos) therefore recently spoke out in favor of a "solidarity levy" from the other federal states.

In February of this year, 22,878 applications for minimum income were submitted to MA 40.

(Bild: Zwefo, Krone KREATIV)

Ludwig: "Expect solidarity from the federal and provincial governments"
And Mayor Michael Ludwig (SPÖ) followed up after the provincial governors' conference in response to an inquiry from "Krone". Ludwig: "It is true that Vienna has a disproportionately high challenge to overcome here, which we are also facing up to. But just as we show solidarity with the federal government, we also expect the federal government to show solidarity. This also applies to the federal states."

Vienna's Mayor Michael Ludwig holds the federal and state governments accountable.

(Bild: SEPA.Media KG | Michael Indra | www.sepa.media)

Federal states not very attractive
It is therefore important to increase the attractiveness of some locations in the federal states, especially in terms of job opportunities, in order to reduce the influx into the cities. In general, however, Ludwig believes that the federal government - and in particular the ministries of the interior, foreign affairs and integration - have a duty to create a legal framework.

The record of recent years in the federal government's integration policy shows that the asylum process is characterized by inactivity.

Wiens Bürgermeister Michael Ludwig (SPÖ)

Bild: APA/ROBERT JAEGER

"Asylum procedure characterized by inactivity"
Ludwig: "The balance sheet of the last few years in the federal government's integration policy shows that the period of the asylum procedure is characterized by inactivity. Valuable time is lost due to inadequate German and educational opportunities in the federal states as well as hurdles on the path to the labor market, which naturally also has a negative impact on the budget."

Family immigration puts a strain on the budget
Recognized refugees can bring their family members, such as spouses or children, under certain conditions. Between January 2023 and February 2024, more than 4,000 children and young people came to Vienna, the majority from Syria. A further 350 are added every month, with a total of 500 throughout Austria. This shows that Vienna is bearing the greatest burden. The schools have already sounded the alarm.

However, it is not only the schools that are affected by the influx of families, but also the budget.

Thousands of children on minimum benefits
In 2022, the city spent almost 20 billion euros, 755 million euros of which on Vienna's minimum income scheme (WMS). Since 2011, spending on this and the overall budget has risen almost continuously (see chart). Of the 139,295 minimum income recipients in February of this year, 48,207 were children and young people.

In Vienna, the benefits per child are not staggered, unlike in other federal states such as Tyrol. The amount paid out also differs, with the city paying 312 euros per child and Burgenland only 202 euros. "A sliding scale is not planned in Vienna, as every child is worth the same, and the principle of preventing child poverty applies," according to the office of Social Welfare Councillor Peter Hacker (SPÖ).

Better integration offers
Slightly less than half (46%, as of December 2023) of all WMS recipients are people entitled to asylum or subsidiary protection. "Metropolitan areas are always a magnet for immigrants. As a major city, Vienna is attractive not least because of the communities living here and the better job opportunities," explains Hacker's spokesperson, who is in favor of better integration offers nationwide so that those entitled to asylum can dock onto the labor market in the federal states.

Expenditure on minimum benefits as a proportion of the overall budget has actually fallen in recent years.

Sprecher von Stadtrat Peter Hacker

Will the billion be enough?
For the years 2024 and 2025, the city has budgeted almost one billion per year for the payment of minimum benefits. Will that be enough in view of family reunification? According to a parliamentary question submitted by Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP) to the Neos party, 4452 applications for entry in connection with family reunification are pending as of August 31, 2023. The majority come from Syria, followed by Somalia and Afghanistan. Two thirds of them are minors.

"The budget is based on estimates. Whether it will be enough depends on various factors, such as inflation," says the city council spokesperson. But: since the peak in 2017 (7.9 percent), the proportion of WMS recipients among all Viennese has been falling steadily, reaching 6.8 percent in 2022.