Austria’s government presented a draft proposal Wednesday that would extend espionage law to the European Union and international organizations, with Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger citing hybrid threats, AP reported.
Austria’s current espionage statute focuses on activity against the country itself. The proposal would raise the maximum sentence for such cases from five years to 10; for spying against the EU or international organizations, the proposed ceiling is five years, AP reported.
The proposal would criminalize recruiting agents and being recruited as an agent. AP reported that officials view the provision as targeting people recruited for low-level espionage actions who may not know the purpose of their role.
Meinl-Reisinger said the proposal addresses hybrid threats and aims to protect Austria’s security and standing as a host to more than 40 international organizations. AP described such threats as including sabotage, cyberattacks and disinformation. AP reported that Vienna hosts the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
Meinl-Reisinger cited 63 cases in which diplomats were denied entry visas since she took office in March 2025; she also said Austria expelled eight Russian diplomats during that period. EconoTimes previously covered Austria’s expulsion of four Russian diplomats after security findings.
Austria’s previous government proposed a similar change in 2024, but no legislation was agreed before the election, AP reported. The current proposal requires parliamentary approval.
