Vienna’s city government plans to introduce a new tax known as the “culture euro” on tickets for cultural and entertainment venues across the city, drawing strong opposition from the cultural sector and major arts institutions.

Theatres, concert halls and museums have criticised the proposal, warning that it could drive audiences away and threaten the survival of cultural institutions rather than support cultural development.

Under the proposal outlined by city officials, the tax would raise funds for local cultural projects. Despite its name, the “culture euro” would follow the model of Vienna’s sports levy, which has been in place for 80 years, adding a surcharge of up to 12.5% to ticket prices rather than a flat €1.

Vienna’s finance councillor has already made clear that the tax will go ahead and is discussing the final details with the official responsible for culture.

The measure is expected to be approved this October and take effect in mid-2027. It would apply to tickets for pop concerts, opera performances, theatre productions, cinemas and museums across Vienna.

The inclusion of federal cultural institutions, such as the Vienna State Opera and the Kunsthistorisches Museum, has also sparked considerable political controversy. The city government’s attempt to impose a local tax on national cultural institutions that it does not directly fund has drawn accusations that it is overstepping its authority.

Leaders of Vienna’s major cultural institutions have issued strongly worded statements in response to the impending price increases.

Vienna State Opera Director Bogdan Roščić called the concept “highly misleading”. He said a 12.5% levy would require the opera house to pay more than €6 million a year in additional tax. “At first, I thought it was an April Fool’s joke. A price increase on this unprecedented scale would be fatal for institutions including the State Opera.”

Robert Beutler, managing director of the Burgtheater, said the additional tax would make cultural venues significantly less affordable. Families with season subscriptions could face almost €10 in extra costs per visit, with the increase for a full subscription potentially reaching €100. With the theatre’s own ticket revenue standing at €11.6 million, asking audiences to pay nearly €1.5 million more would inevitably reduce both attendance and revenue, he said.

Matthias Naske, director of the Vienna Konzerthaus, accused the city of “selling its cultural soul”. Ticket sales account for 60% of the concert hall’s total revenue, while it covers 89% of its costs through its own income. At a tax rate of 12.5%, it would have to pay €2.025 million a year, exceeding the €1.8 million subsidy it currently receives from the city government.

Although the city government has yet to publish the final legal text, some media outlets have already advised audiences to book tickets well in advance, before the measure takes effect in 2027, to avoid the additional surcharge.

Austria’s conference of national museums has decided to make the issue a key item on its agenda and will coordinate further action to oppose Vienna’s tax proposal.