General national economic measures
*small business relief or other financial support
* interest free crisis loans
* company tax relief
* VAT relief
* income support for employees
* income support for freelance workers
* unemployment relief
* unemployment relief for freelance workers
* business rates payment holiday
* employer social security payment holiday
* loan repayment holiday
* mortgage payment holiday
* tax returns and or VAT returns suspended/delayed
More info :
-A hardship fund of €2bn was launched as a safety net for the self-employed. Applications were possible until the end of 2020. The Hardship Fund was for self-employed persons who had no turnover and were supported in covering their living expenses. The money was a one-time grant and did not have to be paid back.
-The Austrian government confirmed a total of €38bn in support: €4bn support for workers on reduced hours and small and medium-sized companies, €9bn in credit guarantees to secure loans, €10bn for tax deferrals, €15bn in emergency aid to be paid out particularly exposed sectors.
Companies could apply for government funding to support workers on reduced hours for up to 90% of their usual income. More info here.
Small and medium-sized companies could apply here for credit guarantees.
Applications for tax deferments by companies and individuals were available here (until June 2021). Self-employed people insured with the SVS could defer social security payments here.
More information about the €38bn package here.
National measures specific to the music sector or to culture in general
The music sector could benefit from the above-mentioned general measures.
In October 2020, the Austrian federal government announced a €300 million ‘protective umbrella’ to provide certainty for promoters of concerts, trade shows and other live events.
This funding was designed to remove the risk for event organisers, to allow them to carry on business as usual: If programmed shows had to be cancelled due to new rules, the government would bear the costs of the cancellation.
Health measures
Covid-19 measures and restrictions in the country can be found on the government's website.
Measures taken by local collecting society organisations
-Austro Mechana set up a €1m fund. Authors and publishers could apply for grants and loans of up to €15,000. More information here.
-A fund for performers was also set up by local performers and producers society Oestig. More information here.
Other music funds available
The Association of the Austrian Music Industry - IFPI Austria - launched an aid program for local music labels in cooperation with indie association VTMÖ and endowed this with up to €1m. More information here.
Support from national radio and other media
Austrian independent music companies association VTMÖ organised a campaign in 2020 asking all radio and TV stations to broadcast twice as much Austrian music as usual.
Social media and other campaigns to promote music during the crisis
Austrian independent music companies association VTMÖ organised a campaign asking all radio and TV stations to broadcast twice as much Austrian music as usual. https://www.facebook.com/indies.at/posts/3049675548376304
List of livestreamed concerts organised in reaction to the COVID19 crisis: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2507685959483497/
Business and other expected losses
Still under evaluation