Yes, that's true! But let's look at the climate bonus in detail:

What actually is the climate bonus?

From October 2022, climate-damaging carbon dioxide will have a price (CO 2 tax). This CO 2 price must be paid by companies that produce or import fuels in Austria. The climate bonus rewards climate-friendly behavior. It serves to compensate for the additional costs resulting from CO 2 pricing and will be paid out once a year from autumn 2022. Payment will begin in early September in 2022.

The climate bonus is a special payment from the government and serves to curb inflation. The climate bonus itself is intended to cushion the future burden of the CO₂ tax.

What is it made up of and how high is it?

Adults receive 500.
Children (up to 18) receive: 250.
Babies who have not been born for 183 days do not receive a bonus.
This also applies to people who have not yet been registered in Austria for 183 days.

Note: If you have not yet been registered for 183 days (6 months), the bonus will be paid back when the 183 days have been completed.

The full climate bonus consists of
a) a one-off anti-inflation bonus of 250 euros and
b) a flat-rate climate bonus of 250 euros .

Together this results in the mentioned 500 euros.

Who gets the climate bonus?

The climate bonus is paid out annually and goes to all people who have their main residence in Austria for at least six months (183 days) in the current calendar year. This applies to both adults and children, regardless of origin and citizenship.

And here you can already answer the initial question:

Is it true that this is also paid out to asylum seekers, those entitled to asylum and prison inmates?

Yes, asylum seekers, those entitled to asylum and prison inmates are also entitled to benefits from the moment they meet the criterion of having their main residence in Austria for at least 183 days.

Do non-Austrian citizens also receive this?

Yes, if you meet the requirements mentioned and are staying in Austria lawfully, i.e. not illegally.

Is an application necessary for the climate bonus?

No, no application is necessary for the climate bonus. The payout is automatic!

How is the payout made?

Bank account available: The climate bonus is automatically transferred to the bank account if a person's current account details are available via FinanzOnline or if money transfers are otherwise made regularly by the government. This applies, for example, to pensioners, job seekers or people who receive care allowance or child benefit. For people under 18 who receive family allowance, half of the climate bonus (250 euros) is transferred to the account to which the family allowance is also paid.

No bank account available: The climate bonus will be available as a voucher for people who do not have current account details. The voucher will be sent from September 7th. Here too, no application is necessary. The voucher comes by post (RSa letter). The vouchers can be redeemed at thousands of partners from all industries throughout Austria. Among other things, at various supermarkets, clothing stores, perfumeries, restaurants and more. A complete list can be found on the website of the Federal Ministry for Climate Protection, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology .

Is the climate bonus tax-free?

The climate bonus is made up of two parts in 2022:

  • A base amount of 250 euros (the actual climate bonus) and
  • 250 euros extra inflation bonus.

Base amount: The base amount is part of the eco-social tax reform and was originally intended to be staggered regionally. This year the graduation was suspended. The climate bonus applies gross to net and is tax-exempt .

Cost-of-living bonus: Things are different with the cost-of-living bonus, because people who earn more than 90,000 euros gross per year (around 6,400 euros per month) have to pay tax on the bonus according to their tax class.

And 2023?

From 2023, the climate bonus will be staggered regionally. (See oesterreich.gv.at )

Do you still have questions about the climate bonus?

If you have any questions about the climate bonus, you can reach the hotline on 0800 8000 80.

Sources:
oesterreich.gv.at
Climate Bonus Act
Klimabonus.gv.at

Also read: What is the difference between climate and weather?


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