Caution: New rules for private flights to Austria!
Thread Starter
Caution: New rules for private flights to Austria!
Folks,
got aware of this today. New law in Austria will effectively ban flights with passengers to that country unless the owner/operator of each individual airframe appoints a fiscal representative to declare and cash in the new national passenger tax.
Legislation here: Flugabgabegesetz (German)
There is a petition out to counter this and other stuff, see here:
Petition (German)
According to this the new law will become valid after March 31st.
The implications are very serious indeed and would in fact amount to a total ban for foreign GA aircraft unless they are willing to have themselfs pre-registered and represented by an Austrian lawyer.
got aware of this today. New law in Austria will effectively ban flights with passengers to that country unless the owner/operator of each individual airframe appoints a fiscal representative to declare and cash in the new national passenger tax.
Legislation here: Flugabgabegesetz (German)
There is a petition out to counter this and other stuff, see here:
Petition (German)
According to this the new law will become valid after March 31st.
The implications are very serious indeed and would in fact amount to a total ban for foreign GA aircraft unless they are willing to have themselfs pre-registered and represented by an Austrian lawyer.
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: .
Age: 37
Posts: 649
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Seems a mite OTT and more than a hint of fascism, nay? Bizzare to say the least.
What do the ICAO annexes make of this? I was sure there was something that prohibited this thing amongst ICAO states? Correct me if I'm wrong.
Smithy
What do the ICAO annexes make of this? I was sure there was something that prohibited this thing amongst ICAO states? Correct me if I'm wrong.
Smithy
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Abroad
Posts: 1,172
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well, I can't see anybody willingly wanting to go to a country with such a high concentration of Austrians, but if having to land there (e.g., under duress) I expect everyone on the plane will be designated "crew" 
Thread Starter
My inital take on this is, that someone while writing this law, had either forgotten, was not aware of the existence of or maliciously and on purpose included private, non commercial aviation in this. If it's the former, they'll have to sort it out before April 1st, if not, so much the more.
The background seems to be the "ticket tax" imposed by Germany. The Austrians, not to be left behind, now decided to also impose such a tax. While both are contraproductive, the difference seems to be that in Germany, the tax is applicable to commercial ops only with several exceptions, whereas the Austrians seem to have gone the other way and declare it applicable even to ULM's.
All that would not be more than another nuissance tax, but the way they wish to levy it is totally weird. If at all, levy it together with the landing/departure fee and be done with? Easiest and quickest. Instead, forcing you to pay for this through a lawyer, self declare it, e.t.c. is a bureaucratic madness without equal.
Let's but some pressure on. IAOPA, are you reading this?
The background seems to be the "ticket tax" imposed by Germany. The Austrians, not to be left behind, now decided to also impose such a tax. While both are contraproductive, the difference seems to be that in Germany, the tax is applicable to commercial ops only with several exceptions, whereas the Austrians seem to have gone the other way and declare it applicable even to ULM's.
All that would not be more than another nuissance tax, but the way they wish to levy it is totally weird. If at all, levy it together with the landing/departure fee and be done with? Easiest and quickest. Instead, forcing you to pay for this through a lawyer, self declare it, e.t.c. is a bureaucratic madness without equal.
Let's but some pressure on. IAOPA, are you reading this?
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: 23, Railway Cuttings, East Cheam
Age: 68
Posts: 3,115
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Don't fly to Austria, spend your hard earned somewhere else. Northen Italy by the Dolomites is just as gorgeous IMO and the inhabitants are a bit nicer...
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: EuroGA.org
Posts: 13,787
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
One reason I like the TB20 is that it can overfly a whole load of these funny countries, in one go. Only in Greece does one finally have to capitulate and compromise 
I cannot believe Austria will actually do this. It is barmy.
I cannot believe Austria will actually do this. It is barmy.
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: 23, Railway Cuttings, East Cheam
Age: 68
Posts: 3,115
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
'One reason I like the TB20 is that it can overfly a whole load of these funny countries, in one go. Only in Greece does one finally have to capitulate and compromise
I cannot believe Austria will actually do this. It is barmy.'
Joking apart, have you ever considered a DA42? I must admit, if I had the wonga I think that would be the one for me with the Austro engines option.
I cannot believe Austria will actually do this. It is barmy.'
Joking apart, have you ever considered a DA42? I must admit, if I had the wonga I think that would be the one for me with the Austro engines option.
Don't fly to Austria, spend your hard earned somewhere else. Northen Italy by the Dolomites is just as gorgeous IMO and the inhabitants are a bit nicer...
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: 23, Railway Cuttings, East Cheam
Age: 68
Posts: 3,115
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I used to work in northen Italy and we used to nip over the Dollys into Austria for the drive. About two hours over the mountain passes in an Alfasud. I can remember the engine sound now. But Aus always struck me as being overpriced and if not overtly unfriendly then not exactly 'Thank you for spending your hard earned here instead of over the border'. Still, it's a beautiful country,
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: eu
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I think this only affects:
-Graz
-Insbruck
-Klagenfurt
-Linz
-Salzburg
-Wien
according to an email from EAS Switzerland, after speaking to 'Amstdirektor' Bartel in Vienna.
They advise that if using one of the above airfields simply plan to land at a GA airfield before leaving Austria.
-Graz
-Insbruck
-Klagenfurt
-Linz
-Salzburg
-Wien
according to an email from EAS Switzerland, after speaking to 'Amstdirektor' Bartel in Vienna.
They advise that if using one of the above airfields simply plan to land at a GA airfield before leaving Austria.
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: EuroGA.org
Posts: 13,787
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
They advise that if using one of the above airfields simply plan to land at a GA airfield before leaving Austria.
What people will do is what people have been doing since the invention of aviation, when they have to deal with certified a**eholes on the ground: file for the "acceptable" destination and when in the air divert elsewhere.
Europe (not the UK) appears to be able to knock up long IFR routings and insert them into the system so long diversions will be doable, in many if not most cases getting out of Austria.
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: SoCal
Posts: 1,929
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well, they are only copying the UK, arent' they? After all our wonderful former government invented the 'air passenger duty' (or whatever this thing is called). 
Looks like the Austrians drafted this one a bit on the fly (if you forgive the pun), making it a catch-all.
In any case I think hambelodlboy is correct, as text refers to 'International Airports'.
Idiocy, nonetheless......
All that said, I wouldn't be surprised if we were to see more of this. Basically all governments are broke and are trying to extract as much money from of any conceivably taxable activity. AENA wth their landing fees, the Austrians with their passenger tax, the list will only grow....
Looks like the Austrians drafted this one a bit on the fly (if you forgive the pun), making it a catch-all.
In any case I think hambelodlboy is correct, as text refers to 'International Airports'.
Idiocy, nonetheless......
All that said, I wouldn't be surprised if we were to see more of this. Basically all governments are broke and are trying to extract as much money from of any conceivably taxable activity. AENA wth their landing fees, the Austrians with their passenger tax, the list will only grow....
Thread Starter
Guys,
even if it is "only" the big airports, they are about the only ones with IFR in that place. Plus, I don't give a garbage about those 8 Euros, one gets used to being ripped off, but about the registration and chartered accountant or whatever you need to have in order to be bl**dy able to PAY the
thing. Why can't they just cash it in at the C-Office like in every civilized place and some not civilized too?
Apart, this does not "only" shut us private operators out, but it also makes it virtually impossible for ad hoc charter ops and other stuff which is perfectly normal just about everywhere else.
So I hope someone will knock some sense into them. Maybe those Koeln four letter demolition squad can finally prove their worth and tell that minister where to get off the merry roundabout?
even if it is "only" the big airports, they are about the only ones with IFR in that place. Plus, I don't give a garbage about those 8 Euros, one gets used to being ripped off, but about the registration and chartered accountant or whatever you need to have in order to be bl**dy able to PAY the
thing. Why can't they just cash it in at the C-Office like in every civilized place and some not civilized too? Apart, this does not "only" shut us private operators out, but it also makes it virtually impossible for ad hoc charter ops and other stuff which is perfectly normal just about everywhere else.
So I hope someone will knock some sense into them. Maybe those Koeln four letter demolition squad can finally prove their worth and tell that minister where to get off the merry roundabout?
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: SoCal
Posts: 1,929
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Looks like this has been resolved. Just received an email (I signed the petition) informing that this whole idiocy has been withdrawn. Don't have a link, sorry.
Funnily enough, almost at the same time got an email from N-FLYERS.
If we could get EASA to listen as much as the Austrians seem to do......
Funnily enough, almost at the same time got an email from N-FLYERS.
If we could get EASA to listen as much as the Austrians seem to do......
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Austria
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Austria Tax
Indeed, only the airports
-Graz
-Insbruck
-Klagenfurt
-Linz
-Salzburg
-Wien
are affected and ONLY for a/c with MTOM above 2 tons. IFR/VFR does not matter.
Leaving Austria from an airport mentioned above via a small airfield does not help You either as also domestic flights are subject to the levy, in that case also EUR 8.- as for short (read: very short..) haul flights.
Tax exempted persons on board are:
active cockpit or cabin crew
crew on transportation to/from duty
infants (max 2years) without own seat
Not subjected to the levy:
-airfields
-transit stops with less than 24 hours
-diversion landings
Stupid tax, I know. If someone still needs a tax representative to handle it give me a private message, I might be able to help.
Max
-Graz
-Insbruck
-Klagenfurt
-Linz
-Salzburg
-Wien
are affected and ONLY for a/c with MTOM above 2 tons. IFR/VFR does not matter.
Leaving Austria from an airport mentioned above via a small airfield does not help You either as also domestic flights are subject to the levy, in that case also EUR 8.- as for short (read: very short..) haul flights.
Tax exempted persons on board are:
active cockpit or cabin crew
crew on transportation to/from duty
infants (max 2years) without own seat
Not subjected to the levy:
-airfields
-transit stops with less than 24 hours
-diversion landings
Stupid tax, I know. If someone still needs a tax representative to handle it give me a private message, I might be able to help.
Max
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: EuroGA.org
Posts: 13,787
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
How exactly does the collection work?
It sounds barmy.
Let's say I want to fly UK to Vienna (to attend a course on cellar construction). What would be the exact procedure?
It sounds barmy.
Let's say I want to fly UK to Vienna (to attend a course on cellar construction). What would be the exact procedure?
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Austria
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
How does it work?
In short:
1. before the first departure from an airport in Austria:
Find a tax representative (I know one) and send the registration form to the relevant tax office in Austria (or let the taxrep send it)
2. after every month that included a flight from an Austrian airport give your taxrep a summary with the relevant flight and pax details, the taxrep will file and send reports to the airports visited and the tax office, charge yiur tax and forward it to the tax office
3. after year's end the taxrep will file a yearly report.
It's stupid but not impossible and should not prevent you from flying to Austria. The tax collectors are a minority here..
1. before the first departure from an airport in Austria:
Find a tax representative (I know one) and send the registration form to the relevant tax office in Austria (or let the taxrep send it)
2. after every month that included a flight from an Austrian airport give your taxrep a summary with the relevant flight and pax details, the taxrep will file and send reports to the airports visited and the tax office, charge yiur tax and forward it to the tax office
3. after year's end the taxrep will file a yearly report.
It's stupid but not impossible and should not prevent you from flying to Austria. The tax collectors are a minority here..