State visit to Austria
Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Elke Büdenbender travelled to the Republic of Austria for the first state visit in 28 years
October 23rd, 2025
It was the first state visit by a German Federal President for 28 years and a sign of the close ties between the two countries. The visit reflected the diverse ties between Germany and Austria, ranging from historical commemoration, through the common task of European defence and security to cooperation on cultural and transport-related issues.
In Vienna, the Federal President and Elke Büdenbender were received with military honours by Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen and Doris Schmidauer. While the two heads of state engaged in political talks, the two first ladies met with female entrepreneurs and start-up founders. In the afternoon, the two couples commemorated the victims of the Holocaust at the Shoah Wall of Names Memorial. Afterwards, President Steinmeier met Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker and visited the National Council and Vienna City Hall. The evening concluded with a state banquet hosted by the Austrian Federal President.
On the second day of the trip, on 22 October, Federal President Steinmeier visited the exhibition A Century in Pictures. Austria 1925–2025 in the Austrian National Library. Afterwards he participated in a debate on the future of Europe together with Alexander Van der Bellen and engaged in dialogue with young people there. Another highlight was the official opening of the new German Embassy building in Vienna. Visits to Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles and the Max Reinhardt Seminar also took place. Meanwhile, Elke Büdenbender and Doris Schmidauer met Austrian Minister for Women, Science and Research Eva-Maria Holzleitner and Minister of Justice Anna Sporrer to discuss the topics of women’s promotion and equality as well as the National Action Plan to counter violence against women.
The last day took the Federal President and his wife to Innsbruck on 23 October. Together with their Austrian hosts, they visited the building site of the Brenner Base Tunnel, a central European infrastructure project. After a joint luncheon hosted by Governor of Tyrol Anton Mattle, the state visit concluded with a walk-through Innsbruck’s old town and a musical farewell from the Tyrolean riflemen’s company.
Overview of the programme
Tuesday, 21 October 2025
Morning
Flight to Vienna
Morning, Vienna, Josefsplatz
Welcome with military honours by Alexander Van der Bellen, Federal President of the Republic of Austria, and Doris Schmidauer
Thereafter, Office of the Federal President, Ballhausplatz
Talks with Federal President Van der Bellen
Midday
Joint press conference
Afternoon, Ostarrichi Park, Shoah Wall of Names Memorial
Wreath-laying ceremony at the memorial to the Jewish children, women and men from Austria murdered in the Shoah
Thereafter, Federal Chancellery
Talks with Christian Stocker, Federal Chancellor of the Republic of Austria
Thereafter, National Council
Talks with members of the National Council
Thereafter, City Hall
Signing of the Golden Book of the city of Vienna
Evening, Hofburg
State banquet hosted by Alexander Van der Bellen, Federal President of the Republic of Austria, and Doris Schmidauer
Wednesday, 22 October 2025
Morning, Austrian National Library
Visit of the special exhibition A Century in Pictures. Austria 1925–2025
Thereafter, Office of the Federal President
Meeting of the Federal Presidents with young people on the subject of Europe – United in Diversity.
Midday, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany
Presentation of the Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany to Friedrich Forsthuber
Thereafter
Opening of the new Embassy building with a speech and reception in honour of the Federal President of the Republic of Austria, hosted by the Federal President and Elke Büdenbender
Afternoon, Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles
Guided tour of the factory
Thereafter, Max Reinhardt Seminar
Tour of the drama school and visit of a performance of scenes from the play “Keine Hoffnung, Baby!” (No hope, baby!) as well as conversation with participating students
Evening
Train journey to Innsbruck with Federal President Van der Bellen and Doris Schmidauer
Thursday, 23 October 2025
Morning, near Innsbruck, building site of the Brenner Base Tunnel
Tour of the building site
Afternoon, Innsbruck, Ambras Castle
Tour of the museum
Thereafter, Alpine Quantum Technologies
Tour of the company
Thereafter
Joint walk through Innsbruck town centre
Evening, Hofburg Innsbruck
Traditional reception with the Tyrolean riflemen’s company
