Cost-of-living allowances for overseas officials set for September

The Federal Minister for European and International Affairs has determined the percentages for the calculation of cost-of-living allowances for federal civil servants and contractual employees stationed abroad for the month of September 2026. The regulation was promulgated on September 9, 2026, in the Federal Law Gazette for the Republic of Austria, Part II, under number 268/2026. It enters into force with the calculation of the allowance for September 2026.

Legal Basis and Procedure

The determination is based on § 21b para. 2 and 3 of the Salary Act 1956 (GehG), BGBl. No. 54, last amended by the Federal Act BGBl. I No. 22/2026. The regulation was issued in agreement with the Federal Chancellor and signed by the competent Federal Minister, Beate Meinl-Reisinger.

The cost-of-living allowance according to § 21b para. 1 GehG compensates for the differences in purchasing power between the foreign duty stations and Austria. It applies to all Austrian diplomats and employees at the duty stations listed in the directory.

Highest and Lowest Percentages

For September 2026, the highest supplements apply at the following duty stations:

• Geneva 44
• Bern 43
• Zurich 42
• Tel Aviv 39
• Ramallah 39
• Singapore 28
• Copenhagen 24
• New York 23

Significantly lower rates apply, for example, to Washington (12), Berlin (11), Munich (11), Prague (11), The Hague (10), and Frankfurt (10). No percentage was determined for numerous duty stations such as Abu Dhabi, Ankara, Athens, Baghdad, Bangkok, Beirut, Bogotá, Budapest, Cairo, Moscow, Rome, Tokyo, and Warsaw.

Scope and Significance

The regulation covers a broad network of foreign duty stations from Abu Dhabi via Accra, Addis Ababa, Algiers, and Astana to Zurich. In addition to the capitals, consular locations such as Hong Kong (19), Los Angeles (16), London (16), San Francisco (16), and Sydney (2) are also included.

The monthly determination of the percentages ensures that federal employees working abroad receive remuneration adapted to the respective cost of living. For the affected diplomats and contractual employees, the regulation means a predictable allowance oriented toward purchasing power differences for the month of September 2026.

Source: Federal Law Gazette for the Republic of Austria, Part II, No. 268, issued on September 9, 2026 (official reference: BGBl. II No. 268/2026).