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Austria Now News – Austria
The number of asylum seekers covered by the basic care system (Grundversorgung) in the province of Lower Austria (Niederösterreich) has fallen by around 75 percent in roughly two and a half years, from 1,460 people in June 2024 to just 359 people as of 27 October 2026, according to figures published by the newspaper Heute on Monday morning.
This corresponds to a decline of 75.4 percent. Deputy Governor and provincial FPÖ leader Udo Landbauer links the drop to the introduction of the benefits-in-kind card (Sachleistungskarte).
A card instead of cash
Since June 2024, Lower Austria has been gradually rolling out the benefits-in-kind card, which replaces the cash payments asylum seekers previously received. Landbauer said: The benefits-in-kind card is having an effect, Lower Austria is becoming less attractive as a place to seek asylum, and that is exactly what our goal was.
The FPÖ politician added that anyone who comes to Lower Austria for the money has no place there, calling for an end to what he described as the pull factor Austria exerts through social benefits.
Additional rules for asylum seekers
The FPÖ in the province stresses its intention to continue its course on asylum policy. In addition to the card, Landbauer pointed to an additional reporting obligation to combat asylum abuse, an integration code (Integrationskodex) and new rules of conduct for asylum seekers in provincial accommodation.
It should be noted that the figures refer to asylum seekers in basic care within the province of Lower Austria, and that linking the decline to the benefits-in-kind card is Landbauer’s own assessment; the newspaper did not cite any independent study on the reasons for the decrease.
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Sources
- Heute, 75 % weniger Asylwerber, Genau das war unser Ziel, 02.11.2026, heute.at
