Overview
- The mandate begins this summer for students in German-support classes and expands in 2027 to those in support courses, applying to pupils up to age 15.
- Government figures point to roughly 48,000 affected nationwide, with Vienna reporting sharp increases and 50.9% of 2025/26 school beginners classified as needing German support.
- The measure turns previously voluntary summer offerings into compulsory instruction during Austria’s nine-week break for students who have not met language targets.
- Education Minister Christoph Wiederkehr plans to recruit student teachers, adult-education staff and retired educators, with the option to require teachers to serve if shortages persist.
- The governing ÖVP–SPÖ–NEOS coalition frames the move as an integration step with more school-level flexibility, while the FPÖ and teachers’ unions challenge the approach and resource plans.