Austria has 9 states, known in German as Bundesländer, which serve as the country's primary administrative and political divisions. Each state has its own constitution, elected parliament, and regional government, giving Austria a federal structure in which power is shared between the national capital in Vienna and the nine regional capitals.
The 9 States of Austria
The full list of Austria's federal states, alphabetically by their common English names, is as follows:
- Burgenland — capital Eisenstadt, in the far east bordering Hungary.
- Carinthia (Kärnten) — capital Klagenfurt, in the south near Italy and Slovenia.
- Lower Austria (Niederösterreich) — capital St. Pölten, surrounding Vienna in the northeast.
- Salzburg — capital Salzburg city, in the central Alps.
- Styria (Steiermark) — capital Graz, in the southeast.
- Tyrol (Tirol) — capital Innsbruck, in the western Alps.
- Upper Austria (Oberösterreich) — capital Linz, in the north.
- Vienna (Wien) — both a city and a state, and the national capital.
- Vorarlberg — capital Bregenz, the westernmost state on Lake Constance.
Together these nine states cover Austria's roughly 83,900 square kilometres and a population of about 9 million people. Each state name reflects a mix of geography, history, and direction relative to the Danube and the Alps.
How the Federal System Works
Austria is a federal republic, and the Bundesländer are written into the national constitution rather than created simply for administrative convenience. Every state elects its own legislature, called the Landtag, which in turn chooses a state governor known as the Landeshauptmann or Landeshauptfrau. These regional governments handle matters such as building regulations, regional planning, youth protection, and aspects of healthcare and education.
The states also send representatives to the Bundesrat, the upper house of Austria's national parliament. This gives each region a formal voice in federal lawmaking. Vienna is unusual because it functions simultaneously as a state and as a municipality, so its city council doubles as the state Landtag and its mayor doubles as the state governor.
Largest and Most Populated States
The states vary enormously in size and population. By area, Lower Austria is the largest, covering roughly 19,000 square kilometres, with Styria a close second. By contrast, Vienna is by far the smallest in territory at only around 415 square kilometres.
By population, the picture flips for the capital: Vienna is the most populated state with about 1.9 million residents, making it both the smallest by land and the densest by people. Lower Austria and Upper Austria follow as the next most populous. At the other end, Burgenland is the least populated state, home to fewer than 300,000 people. This contrast between a compact, crowded capital and large, sparsely settled alpine and rural states is a defining feature of Austrian geography.
Geography and Character of the States
Austria's states are shaped by the Alps, which dominate the west and south, and by the Danube basin in the north and east. The western states of Tyrol and Vorarlberg are mountainous and famous for skiing and dramatic peaks. Salzburg blends alpine scenery with its UNESCO-listed baroque capital. Carinthia and Styria mix mountains with lakes, vineyards, and forested hills.
The eastern lowland states of Lower Austria, Burgenland, and Vienna sit in flatter, more agricultural and urban terrain along the Danube. Burgenland in particular is known for Lake Neusiedl and a warmer, Pannonian climate that supports wine production. Upper Austria combines industrial cities like Linz with rolling farmland and the lake district of the Salzkammergut. To explore more about the country as a whole, see our austria country guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Vienna a state or a city in Austria?
Both. Vienna is one of Austria's nine states and is simultaneously the national capital and a single municipality. Its local government performs the duties of both a city and a state, which is why it has just one administrative tier rather than the usual city-within-a-state arrangement.
What is the largest state in Austria?
By land area the largest state is Lower Austria, covering around 19,000 square kilometres. By population, however, the largest is Vienna with roughly 1.9 million residents, even though it is the smallest state in physical size.
What are the states of Austria called in German?
They are called Bundesländer (singular: Bundesland), meaning "federal states." Many also have German names that differ from their English versions, such as Kärnten for Carinthia, Steiermark for Styria, Tirol for Tyrol, and Niederösterreich for Lower Austria.
Does each Austrian state have its own government?
Yes. Each of the nine states has its own elected parliament (the Landtag), its own constitution, and a state governor. They hold real legislative powers in areas like regional planning and youth affairs, and they send delegates to the federal upper house, the Bundesrat.
