NEW YORK, January 1, 2026, 14:43 ET
- Salzburg city will again pay a €100 “Energie-100er” top-up in 2026 for eligible low-income residents
- The payment adds to Salzburg state’s €250 heating-cost grant, bringing total support to €350
- Red Cross crews in Salzburg state handled dozens of alcohol-related cases on New Year’s Eve
The Austrian city of Salzburg will extend its “Energie-100er” support scheme into 2026, offering eligible low-income residents an extra 100 euros on top of a 250-euro provincial heating-cost grant, for total support of 350 euros, local outlet Salzburg24 reported. 1
The decision lands as the new budget year begins and winter heating bills rise, keeping pressure on households that are already struggling with day-to-day costs.
The scheme also reflects a shift toward targeted aid — money tied to eligibility rules — rather than broad-based measures that are costlier and harder to focus on the most vulnerable.
In a statement, the city said Salzburg state has announced a 250-euro “Heizkostenzuschuss” — a one-off heating-cost subsidy — for 2026 and the city will again add 100 euros for those who qualify, with no separate application needed for the municipal top-up. Social councillor Andrea Brandner said the aim was to ease the burden “in times of persistently high energy prices and rising living costs.” 2
The provincial Heizkostenzuschuss is the main benefit residents apply for, while the Energie-100er is the city’s add-on payment, triggered only after the provincial grant is approved.
Linking the city payment to the province’s decision allows Salzburg to avoid running a parallel process and reduces administrative friction for applicants.
Salzburg is both a city and the capital of the Austrian federal state of the same name, and the two levels of government often run complementary social support programmes, especially during the winter heating season.
Targeted winter payments like Salzburg’s have become a recurring policy tool across parts of Europe since energy bills surged in recent years, with local governments often stepping in to fill gaps left by broader national measures.
Emergency services in Salzburg state also reported a busy New Year’s Eve, with 32 people needing help due to excessive alcohol consumption and ambulance crews responding to 81 calls overall, while police reported incidents linked to fireworks misuse and weapons, according to oe24. 3
The overnight callouts underscore the dual challenge for local authorities at the start of the year: funding basic social support while managing the public-safety and health demands that peak around holiday celebrations.
For low-income residents, the key point is that Salzburg’s extra 100 euros hinges on qualifying for the provincial heating grant, keeping the city’s support tightly focused on households deemed eligible under the state’s rules.
