Austria plans tougher espionage law over hybrid threats

Austria's government plans to widen its espionage law and introduce tougher sentences, including up to 10 years in prison for spying to the detriment of Austria, ministers said on Wednesday.

Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger and Interior Minister Gerhard Karner said a draft bill will be submitted to parliament. They said it would also introduce sentences of up to five years for espionage targeting the EU or international organisations and new penalties for recruiting agents.

Meinl-Reisinger said the law would cover espionage against international organisations or the EU, not only Austria. Karner said Europe was increasingly being targeted by sabotage, disinformation and attempts to influence elections, and that Austria had to prepare.

State security secretary Joerg Leichtfried said the measures would also target the recruitment of people for one-off tasks who may not know why or for whom they are acting.

Austria hosts several international organisations and is an EU member but not a NATO member. Eight Russian diplomats have been expelled since the current government took office in early 2025, including two in October.