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Austria Now News – Vienna
The Austrian government is expanding state aid for victims of serious violent crimes and their families through an amendment to the Crime Victims Act (Verbrechensopfergesetz), which doubles the maximum compensation for pain and suffering (Schmerzensgeld) from €12,000 to €24,000, the newspaper Heute reported on Monday morning.
The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health drew up the proposals together with victim support organisations and other experts, taking into account the feedback received during the review phase (Begutachtung).
Four compensation levels
The amendments provide for four compensation levels depending on the severity of the health damage: €4,000, €8,000, €16,000 and €24,000. The previous amounts had remained unchanged since 2013. State compensation is available to those who have suffered serious physical or psychological harm as a result of a crime, regardless of whether the perpetrator is known or able to pay compensation themselves.
In future, minors who are victims of sexual violence will be able to receive the lowest compensation level without an additional specialist medical report.
Funeral costs, locks and crime scene cleaning
Victims’ relatives will receive up to €10,000 to cover funeral costs, double the current amount, and the three-year application deadline will be abolished. Psychological support will be expanded from 10 to 20 crisis intervention sessions, with the possibility of covering clinical psychological treatment.
Also new is support of up to €800 for repairing or replacing damaged doors and locks or in cases of imminent danger, and support of up to €5,000 for professional cleaning of a crime scene in a private flat or private car.
Helpline numbers
For anyone affected by violence in Austria: the Women’s Helpline (Frauenhelpline) on 0800 222 555, free of charge and around the clock, the Men’s Emergency Line on 0800 246 247, Rat auf Draht on 147, and the police emergency number 133.
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Sources
- Heute, Mehr Hilfe für Gewaltopfer, Staat zahlt künftig mehr, 02.11.2026, heute.at
