2.1 Vienna - the federal capital of Austria
The City of Vienna has a special position within Austria because it is
- the federal capital, i.e. the seat of the Republic of Austria’s highest authorities,
- a federal province of the Republic of Austria, and
- a municipality with the legal status of a chartered city.
As the seat of the republic’s highest authorities (federal parliament, head of state, federal government and the highest courts), Vienna is the economic and political centre of Austria. It does not, however, enjoy any particular privileges in its role as a federal capital.