The sharp decline in applications for international protection in Austria is also affecting the reception system. As of September 2026, there are currently around 4,800 applicants for international protection in basic care support, the lowest number in around 20 years.
Following this development, three more federal reception centres will be closed in the coming weeks: Finkenstein (Carinthia), Graz-Andritz (Styria) and Bad Kreuzen (Upper Austria). The Traiskirchen facility is also operating at low occupancy, at around 290 people.
Interior Minister Gerhard Karner said: “If fewer people are coming to Austria irregularly and fewer people need to be supported; we must also reduce the corresponding structures. Therefore, we are closing more federal reception centres. Overall, we can reduce the budget for asylum and immigration over the next two years by around 20 per cent (…).”
- Federal Ministry of the Interior | Bundesministerium für Inneres (29 September, 2026), Sparen bei Asyl und investieren in die Sicherheit [Saving on asylum and investing in security],