In this week’s Inside Austria we look at Austria’s shockingly low rates of paternal leave – and why it matters far beyond parenting. Plus, we preview Austria’s World Cup qualifying campaign and what’s ahead for the long Pentecost weekend.
Inside Austria is our weekly look at some of the news, talking points, and gossip in Austria that you might not have heard about. It’s published each Saturday, and members can receive it directly in their inbox by going to their newsletter preferences or adding their email to the sign-up box in this article.
Austria has Father’s Day — but where are the fathers on parental leave?
As Austria marks Father’s Day this Sunday, the numbers tell a sobering story: when it comes to dads staying home with their children, Austria ranks dead last in the EU.
Despite more than 30 years of legal entitlement, only 16 percent of Austrian fathers take any parental leave at all, and most for less than three months. Just 3.6 percent of childcare allowance recipients are men. By contrast, in countries like Iceland and Luxembourg, up to 90 percent of fathers take leave, backed by stronger incentives and better childcare support.
Austria’s low uptake is not just a cultural “quirk” — it’s one of the key reasons the country has one of the highest gender pay gaps in Europe. Women still earn 18.3 percent less on average than men and receive 40 percent less in pension payments, in part because time spent caring for children is only partially credited to retirement.
Experts say this isn’t just a women’s issue. Research indicates that early involvement enhances fathers’ long-term relationships with their children. Nordic countries have led the way with “use-it-or-lose-it” quotas for dads and full wage compensation. Austria’s “daddy month” (Papamonat) offers just €55 a day and remains optional — only 11,700 fathers claimed it in 2021.
Now, the pressure is growing for reform. The Austrian Trade Union Federation is advocating for a fully paid month of paternity leave, stricter split-leave requirements, and improved access to childcare.
The government says it’s working on proposals to improve leave-sharing and simplify access, but concrete changes aren’t expected before 2026.
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Can Austria qualify for its first World Cup since 1998?
Austria’s national football team kicks off its 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign this weekend — and while the mood is cautiously hopeful, a lot will depend on whether the team’s early momentum can carry them through a relatively easy group.
Team boss Ralf Rangnick has earned respect with his no-nonsense style and long-term vision, and Austria heads into the qualifiers as the top seed in a group that includes Romania, Bosnia, Cyprus and San Marino. On paper, the path to qualification looks clear.
But there are question marks. Striker woes continue to plague the team: Marko Arnautović and Michael Gregoritsch are both veterans with limited recent match time, and the team’s recent goal tally has been underwhelming. Without more firepower up front, even weaker opponents could cause trouble.
The Austrian FA is also trying to stabilise its leadership after a series of internal controversies. And while enthusiasm remains high following last year’s strong European Championship showing, Austria’s football euphoria is fragile, dependent, as always, on winning.
The first match is against Romania in Vienna this Saturday. A win would go a long way to keeping the dream of 2026 alive.
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What else?
Austria is heading into another long weekend with Pfingstmontag (Whit Monday) on June 9th. Here’s what to know:
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