Starting from January 1, 2026, professions in the medical care field in Austria will be recognized as hard work, allowing for early retirement.

Austria will officially recognize, starting January 1, 2026, professions in the healthcare field as heavy work, a historic decision adopted after years of negotiations. This reform will grant healthcare workers the right to retire earlier, considering the physical and emotional demands of the profession. The Minister of Labor, Korinna Schumann, emphasized the importance of this decision for recognizing the daily reality of caregivers.

The conditions for early retirement remain clear: a minimum age of 60, 45 years of contributions, and at least 10 years of heavy work in the last three decades. This reform, supported by unions and professional organizations, will benefit approximately 1,000 employees annually. The government emphasized that the goal is not to reduce the workforce, but to ensure adequate social protection for those who dedicate their lives to caring for others, alongside improving working conditions in this sector.