Austria at a glance

The Austrian legal system does not stand out that much from its European counterparts, but there are some things to note:

Federalism

Austria is a federal republic. Important fields of law, such as for instance construction and urban planning law, are regulated at state level. The differences in each state (Bundesland) are not substantial, but cannot be ignored. Regional land transaction restrictions in touristic areas have high practical significance: here, transactions may only be permissible if the buyer meets certain requirements. In addition, usage restrictions may apply.

Criminal law

Compared to some of its (Western) European peers, Austria is a relatively conservative country. People suspected of a serious criminal offence are taken into custody relatively quickly, especially if they cannot prove sufficient integration in Austria. Once in custody, it may be difficult to get out. For more severe offences, trials involve lay judges and juries. Convictions will often result in a prison sentence, suspended or not suspended. Drugs are not legal: a one-time mistake may lead to no more than a warning, but a prison sentence is a realistic possibility after multiple offences.

Does the Austrian legal system have benefits?

Even if this may seem different to the parties involved in a case, the Austrian legal system is – compared to that of other countries – relatively fast. A person with a claim will typically not have to wait years for a case to end.

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