The Vienna Court of Audit released a report detailing the processing of the Vienna Energy Bonus, revealing that 61,000 recipients were required to repay the subsidy. The program provided 200 euros in 2022 and 2023, totaling 252 million euros in net costs.
To ensure rapid distribution, the City of Vienna used automated routines without checking income limits before payout. Retrospective checks by MA 40 later identified ineligible recipients, leading to 364 judicial dunning actions and 3,900 recovery attempts.
The Green Party, which requested the audit, noted that 21 million euros, or ten percent of the total sum, had to be reclaimed. Auditors also found that public relations materials, costing 1.8 million euros, incorrectly represented legal payout requirements.