Agreement Reached for Healthcare Professionals
A new wage agreement has been successfully negotiated for thousands of employees in doctor's offices, group practices, and primary care units across Lower Austria. The agreement, reached in the fourth round of negotiations between the Gewerkschaft GPA and the Ärztekammer Niederösterreich, was accepted by the Kurienversammlung in November 2025. It brings significant financial improvements, including retroactive pay increases and a one-time bonus.
Key Details of the Wage Increase
The new collective bargaining agreement stipulates a retroactive increase of 3.55 percent for minimum wages and all allowances, effective from January 1, 2025. While there is no general increase for actual wages (IST-Gehälter), any voluntary increases granted by employers since January 1, 2025, can be offset against the mandatory employee bonus.
One-Time Employee Bonus of up to 1,000 Euros
In addition to the wage adjustments, eligible employees will receive a one-time employee bonus (Mitarbeiterprämie) of up to 1,000 Euros. This bonus is calculated on a full-time equivalent (40-hour week) and will be paid out proportionally for part-time employees or if the employment relationship was not continuous throughout 2025. To qualify for the full bonus, employees must have been employed by July 1, 2025, at the latest, and remain in an active employment relationship on December 1, 2025.
The bonus is tax-free up to 1,000 Euros, provided it is paid as an additional and non-customary benefit. However, it is not exempt from social security contributions or municipal tax.
Scope and Impact
This agreement primarily benefits non-medical staff working in various healthcare settings within Lower Austria, including:
- Doctor's offices
- Group practices
- Primary care units
5 Comments
eliphas
Finally, some proper financial support for essential non-medical staff. Well done!
anubis
'Tax-free' bonus still hit with social security. Misleading much?
eliphas
While the retroactive pay and bonus provide some financial relief for the sector, it's concerning that the bonus can be offset by voluntary employer increases. This clause could undermine the intended benefit for some employees who were already receiving smaller raises.
anubis
This agreement is a solid step for entry-level and lower-paid healthcare workers in Lower Austria, offering them much-needed financial stability. Still, the limited scope to non-medical staff and the specific eligibility criteria for the bonus mean many dedicated healthcare professionals are left out.
eliphas
Voluntary increases can offset the bonus? That's just sneaky accounting.