Now or never: rush to pass authorities before fee explosion!

Now or never: rush to pass authorities before fee explosion!

Austrian citizens are currently storming the passport authorities to renew documents in good time before an upcoming increase in fees. From July 1, 2023, the fees for passports and ID cards increase significantly, which many promptly act to act quickly in order to achieve savings of up to 36 euros. According to OE24 are already overloaded, especially in the passport office in Mirabell Castle in Salzburg, where the demand is particularly high is.

Appropriate 150 passes per day are currently being exhibited in Salzburg, but those responsible report hardly available appointments. Power manager Franz Schefbaumer draws attention to the fact that exceptions are only possible in real emergencies. The capacities are now also exhausted in the surrounding cities of Hallein and Seekirchen. The situation in Vienna looks similar: the magistratic district offices have increased demand and have already planned additional appointments.

fee increase and their effects

The increase in fees is part of a new double budget for inflation adjustment. The fees have not been increased since 2011. From July 2023, the price for a new passport will increase from 75.90 euros to 112 euros, while the price for an ID card will be raised from EUR 61.50 to EUR 91. In addition, the fees for driver's licenses, citizenship wreathes and residence permits also increase, which results in a further increase in applications, as Kosmo reports.

The measure is expected to bring additional income of 65 million euros in 2025 and will record 150 million euros annually from 2026. In view of this high increase, many citizens try to take care of their documents in good time. In Salzburg, additional staff have been deployed in the magistrates to cope with the rush. Nevertheless, the pass offices complain that the normal fluctuations that lead to high operation and the lack of free switches tighten the situation.

Waiting for appointments and long waiting times

The citizens also look for appointments in neighboring communities, but often without success. In Vienna there is the possibility to apply for a passport in the morning without an appointment, but long waiting times are expected here. One advantage in Vienna is that the use of the passport authorities is possible nationwide regardless of the place of residence, which can favor faster appointments in surrounding communities.

The high fees and the associated increased demand put the passport offices under pressure in Austria. The renewal of passports and identity cards becomes the current main event while the citizens are preparing for the upcoming price increases.