Vienna City Councilor Bettina Emmerling of the NEOS party reported that municipal kindergarten places cost an average of 15,991 euros in 2025, up from 13,767 euros in 2023. Private providers received 10,115.20 euros per child from the city treasury this year.
The cost increase since 2023 is driven by higher personnel, material, and overhead expenses. Municipal facilities handle the majority of integration and therapeutic services. While city centers are free, private providers may charge parents additional fees.
Emmerling announced a subsidy reform titled 'Kindergarten neu denken' to restructure funding. Under the new system, kindergartens failing to meet language support requirements will lose subsidies. The city currently lacks cost data for private facilities.