Austrian Minimum Pension 2026: How the Ausgleichszulage Works

Austria does not have a fixed pension amount that everyone receives automatically. If your total income remains below a statutory threshold, you may receive a supplementary payment called the Ausgleichszulage, commonly referred to as the minimum pension.

The amount depends on your total income, household situation and other circumstances. This guide explains who may qualify, the 2026 thresholds, how to apply and which related exemptions may be available.

What is the Ausgleichszulage?

The Ausgleichszulage is not a separate type of pension. It is a supplement intended to ensure a minimum income for pensioners who have their lawful, habitual residence (gewöhnlicher Aufenthalt) in Austria.

You may receive it when your total income is below the statutory threshold, known as the Richtsatz. Total income includes:

• your gross pension;
• other assessable net income;
• any maintenance claims (Unterhaltsansprüche).

The supplement is exactly the difference between the applicable threshold and your total income. In 2026, €298.43 per month of an apprentice’s remuneration (Lehrlingsentschädigung) is not included in net income.

2026 income thresholds

The thresholds are increased using the same factor as the pension increase. The monthly amounts for 2026 are:

• Single pensioner, including widows and widowers: €1,308.39.
• Married couples or registered partners living in the same household: €2,064.12.
• Increase per child: €201.88, if the child’s net income is no more than €468.58. This increase is not available for a survivor’s pension.

The Ausgleichszulage is paid 14 times a year, just like the pension itself.

Thresholds for orphan’s pensions

Separate thresholds apply to people receiving an orphan’s pension (Waisenpension):

• Until the 24th birthday: €481.23 if one parent has died, or €722.58 if both parents have died.
• After the 24th birthday: €855.16 if one parent has died, or €1,308.79 if both parents have died.

Ausgleichszulagenbonus and Pensionsbonus

People who have worked for a long time and paid compulsory insurance contributions may qualify for a supplement calculated up to a higher income threshold. There are two forms:

• Ausgleichszulagenbonus: for people receiving a personal pension (Eigenpension) and an Ausgleichszulage.
• Pensionsbonus: for people receiving a personal pension but no Ausgleichszulage.

For both benefits, total income must remain below the relevant threshold, and the person must continue to have their lawful, habitual residence in Austria.

• At least 360 contribution months from gainful employment: income threshold of €1,423.63 and a maximum monthly amount of €193.69.
• At least 480 contribution months: income threshold of €1,700.76 and a maximum monthly amount of €493.99.
• At least 480 contribution months while living in the same household as a spouse or registered partner: income threshold of €2,295.69 and a maximum monthly amount of €493.46.

The contribution months may include up to 60 months of childcare periods and up to 12 months of military or civilian service (Präsenz- oder Zivildienst).

How to apply and which deadline applies?

If you apply for a pension, you do not need to submit a separate application: the pension application also counts as an application for the Ausgleichszulage.

A separate application is needed if eligibility or entitlement to a higher amount arises only after the pension has started, for example because your income or family situation changes. In this case, you must apply within one month.

If you apply later, the supplement can be paid or increased retrospectively at the earliest from the full calendar month before the month in which you submitted the application.

The responsible pension insurance institution (Pensionsversicherungsträger) handles the application. You will need:

• the pension insurer’s Ausgleichszulage questionnaire (Fragebogen);
• evidence explaining why eligibility arose, such as a divorce certificate.

An informal letter also counts as an application. In that case, the official form must be submitted later.

Related exemptions and concessions

People receiving the Ausgleichszulage are generally exempt from:

• the prescription charge (Rezeptgebühr);
• the e-card service fee (Serviceentgelt);
• the ORF contribution (ORF-Beitrag).

You may also apply for a contribution towards telephone charges. In addition, further support and concessions may be available through the tax office responsible for your place of residence (Wohnsitzfinanzamt), the municipal office (Gemeindeamt), the provincial government, ÖBB or other transport providers.

How much did pensions increase in 2026?

The 2026 adjustment factor (Anpassungsfaktor) is 1.027, taking inflation between August 2024 and July 2025 into account. From 1 January 2026:

• Total pension income of up to €2,500: increased by 2.7%.
• Total pension income above €2,500: increased by a fixed €67.50.

A new rule applies from 2026: when a new pension receives its first increase, it is increased uniformly by 50% of the adjustment factor, regardless of the month in which the pension began. The increase applies to all groups covered by statutory pension insurance and to civil servants.

Frequently asked questions

Does Austria have an official minimum pension?

There is no fixed minimum pension paid to everyone. The Ausgleichszulage supplements a pension up to the applicable threshold when total income is lower than that amount.

Is only the pension taken into account?

No. In addition to the gross pension, assessable net income and any maintenance claims are included.

How often is the Ausgleichszulage paid?

It is paid 14 times a year.

What happens if I apply late?

If eligibility arises after the pension has started, you must apply within one month. If you apply later, payment or the higher amount can begin retrospectively at the earliest from the full calendar month before the application month.

Practical steps

1. Check whether you have a pension and lawful, habitual residence in Austria.
2. Calculate your total income, including your gross pension, assessable net income and any maintenance claims.
3. Compare your total income with the applicable 2026 threshold.
4. If you are applying for a pension, include all relevant income and household information in the pension application.
5. If your entitlement arises after your pension begins, contact the responsible Pensionsversicherungsträger and apply within one month.
6. Collect the Ausgleichszulage questionnaire and documents proving the change that created your entitlement, such as a divorce certificate.
7. Ask the relevant Wohnsitzfinanzamt, Gemeindeamt, provincial government, ÖBB or other transport provider about additional concessions.

This information is based on sources available online and does not constitute advice. Use it at your own responsibility. For professional advice, contact a lawyer, legal specialist, healthcare professional, employment-law or employment-services specialist, or another relevant professional.

Source: oesterreich.gv.at