Austria: physical activity policy snapshot

This snapshot presents strengths and weaknesses of national physical activity policy actions in Austria. Compare Austria with other European countries in our MOVING policy index.

> Read the MOVING snapshot for Austria in English or German

Austria implements policy actions in all 6 areas of the MOVING framework. Three policy areas achieved a moderate assessment for national level policy action: initiatives that promote physical activity in schools, community and recreation (M), physical activity in the workplace (O), and increasing physical activity through public communication which builds behaviour change skills (N).

Weaknesses in policy design at national level were identified for policies on the built environment, such as active design guidelines for outside buildings or on open/green spaces (V) and transport infrastructure (I). There were also weaknesses in providing training for healthcare professionals on physical activity promotion and providing such services in outpatient settings (G).

Particular attention should be given to policy areas where a poor assessment was achieved, which include giving physical activity training, assessment and counselling in healthcare settings (G). National government action should also be prioritised to implement policy actions in all areas of physical activity, including structures and surroundings which promote physical activity (V) and transport infrastructure to promote active societies (I), thus improving overall environments that enable physical activity.

Download a full analysis and breakdown of Austria’s results (pdf, English)

This country snapshot presents detailed results of the MOVING policy index for Austria. Full index results are outlined in the MOVING policy brief (pdf), which compares Austria with other European countries and explains the methods for producing this snapshot and the index.

The index assesses if national government policy actions exist across all areas of the MOVING framework and, if so, how well designed they are. We produced this assessment by benchmarking policies from Austria, collected through a comprehensive scan. You can view all benchmarked policies in our MOVING database.

Overview of physical activity policy status in Austria

Austria physical activity snapshot

This snapshot is based on national level policies only. Polices from provincial, regional or local governments are outside the scope of this project.

Read more about the MOVING policy index
Download the MOVING policy brief in English or German
Download all 30 country snapshots as a bundle (zip, English)

Summary of policies reviewed

The policies assessed to produce this country snapshot are listed here. For more details, consult our MOVING policy database.

Policy name	Area	Benchmark name
The School Organization Act (SchOG)	M	Make opportunities and initiatives that promote physical activity in schools, the community  and  sport and recreation
Exercise and sport in the vocational school	M	Make opportunities and initiatives that promote physical activity in schools, the community  and  sport and recreation
Summer Sports Weeks	M	Make opportunities and initiatives that promote physical activity in schools, the community  and  sport and recreation
Cost-free consultancy for schools and kindergartens including kindergarten mobility box	M	Make opportunities and initiatives that promote physical activity in schools, the community  and  sport and recreation
Bewegte Schule School in Motion	M	Make opportunities and initiatives that promote physical activity in schools, the community  and  sport and recreation
Federal Education Act	M	Make opportunities and initiatives that promote physical activity in schools, the community  and  sport and recreation
Vita4body	M	Make opportunities and initiatives that promote physical activity in schools, the community  and  sport and recreation
VITAL4BRAIN	M	Make opportunities and initiatives that promote physical activity in schools, the community  and  sport and recreation
VITAL4HEART	M	Make opportunities and initiatives that promote physical activity in schools, the community  and  sport and recreation
Klug & Fit Smart & Fit	M	Make opportunities and initiatives that promote physical activity in schools, the community  and  sport and recreation
Gesund und Munter Healthy and Happy	M	Make opportunities and initiatives that promote physical activity in schools, the community  and  sport and recreation
Moving Children Healthy 2.0	M	Make opportunities and initiatives that promote physical activity in schools, the community  and  sport and recreation
Fit Sport Austria	M	Make opportunities and initiatives that promote physical activity in schools, the community  and  sport and recreation
Guidelines for general senior promotion	M	Make opportunities and initiatives that promote physical activity in schools, the community  and  sport and recreation
Financial support for attending school events	M	Make opportunities and initiatives that promote physical activity in schools, the community  and  sport and recreation
Funding for e-bikes and (e-) transport bikes for companies, municipalities, and private individuals	M	Make opportunities and initiatives that promote physical activity in schools, the community  and  sport and recreation
E-mobility funding campaign for private individuals, companies, and municipalities 2020-2021	M	Make opportunities and initiatives that promote physical activity in schools, the community  and  sport and recreation
Movement coach and leisure education	O	Offer  physical activity opportunities in the workplace  and training in  physical activity promotion across  multiple  professions
State-certified Sports Teacher	O	Offer  physical activity opportunities in the workplace  and training in  physical activity promotion across  multiple  professions
The Austrian Company Sport Association	o	Offer  physical activity opportunities in the workplace  and training in  physical activity promotion across  multiple  professions
Federal Disability Equality Act (BGStG)	V	Visualise  and enact structures and surroundings  which promote physical activity
Bewegte Schule School in Motion	V	Visualise  and enact structures and surroundings  which promote physical activity
National funding of cycling projects from municipalities, companies including Cycling Highway	V	Visualise  and enact structures and surroundings  which promote physical activity
National funding of walking projects from municipalities, companies	V	Visualise  and enact structures and surroundings  which promote physical activity
Bett + Bike ADFC certification system	V	Visualise  and enact structures and surroundings  which promote physical activity
Fahrradverordnung Bicycle Ordinance	V	Visualise  and enact structures and surroundings  which promote physical activity
Road Traffic Act	V	Visualise  and enact structures and surroundings  which promote physical activity
RVS 03.02.11 – Application criteria for the construction of cycle paths and sidewalks	V	Visualise  and enact structures and surroundings  which promote physical activity
RVS 02/03/12 – pedestrian traffic	V	Visualise  and enact structures and surroundings  which promote physical activity
RVS 02/03/13 – Bicycle traffic	V	Visualise  and enact structures and surroundings  which promote physical activity
Austria cycle routes	V	Visualise  and enact structures and surroundings  which promote physical activity
Job Ticket	I	Implement  transport  infrastructure and opportunities  that support active societies
RVS 02.02.37-Speed Restrictions	I	Implement  transport  infrastructure and opportunities  that support active societies
Climate mile campaign 2021	I	Implement  transport  infrastructure and opportunities  that support active societies
Österreich Radelt	I	Implement  transport  infrastructure and opportunities  that support active societies
Pedibus	I	Implement  transport  infrastructure and opportunities  that support active societies
Autofasten campaign Auto Fasting campaign	I	Implement  transport  infrastructure and opportunities  that support active societies
Bike calculator for businesses	I	Implement  transport  infrastructure and opportunities  that support active societies
JobRad Company Bike	I	Implement  transport  infrastructure and opportunities  that support active societies
Health Promotion 21+	N	Normalise and increase physical activity through public communication that motivates and builds behaviour change skills
50 days of exercise	N	Normalise and increase physical activity through public communication that motivates and builds behaviour change skills
Tag des – Sports Day of Sports	N	Normalise and increase physical activity through public communication that motivates and builds behaviour change skills
European Week of Sport	N	Normalise and increase physical activity through public communication that motivates and builds behaviour change skills
Winter Sports Weeks (WISPOWO)	N	Normalise and increase physical activity through public communication that motivates and builds behaviour change skills
Austrian Physical Activity Recommendations (2010)	N	Normalise and increase physical activity through public communication that motivates and builds behaviour change skills
Austrian recommendations for health-enhancing exercise (2020 update)	N	Normalise and increase physical activity through public communication that motivates and builds behaviour change skills
Physical activity offers in primary care	G	Give physical activity  training,  assessment and  counselling in  healthcare settings

NOURISHING country snapshots

We also have snapshots of nutrition policies in 30 European countries. Visit the Austria page or see all the country snapshots.

Get in touch

The policy landscape in any country evolves over time. These findings reflect our knowledge as of May 2023. To provide feedback or suggest updates, please get in touch.

Fill in our feedback form or email the team policy@wcrf.org

Austria: physical activity policy snapshot

Overview of physical activity policy status in Austria

Summary of policies reviewed

NOURISHING country snapshots

Get in touch

RELATED CONTENT