Austrian state sees asylum seeker numbers plummet following policy change
The number of asylum seekers in Lower Austria has significantly decreased over the past two and a half years.
As of June 2024, there were 1,460 asylum seekers receiving basic care. By October 27, 2026, that number had fallen to 359, representing a reduction of 75.4 percent. Udo Landbauer, leader of the FPÖ (Freedom Party of Austria) in Lower Austria and deputy governor, attributes this development to the introduction of the in-kind benefit card.
“The in-kind benefit card is showing its effect. Lower Austria is becoming less attractive as an asylum location. That was exactly our goal,” Landbauer stated.
Since June 2024, Lower Austria has implemented the in-kind benefit card, replacing cash payments for asylum seekers. Landbauer considers the decline in numbers a success of his asylum policy.
“Anyone who comes to Lower Austria to collect money is in the wrong place,” the FPÖ politician emphasized. He is calling for an end to what he describes as Austria’s
Source
“"Erfolg Sachleistungskarte" - 75 % weniger Asylwerber – "Genau das war unser Ziel"”
Read the original report (in German) ↗This story is an AI-assisted version of the original report, checked and edited by the Plainwire desk before publication. Read our editorial policy · Report an error
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