The Austrian Criminal Code protects property not only against unlawful taking, deception, or the use of force, but also against damage. The integrity of another’s property is safeguarded in particular by the offence of criminal damage in Austria pursuant to Sections 125 and 126 of the Criminal Code. While Section 125 sets out the basic offence of criminal damage, Section 126 addresses those situations in which, owing to the particular protection afforded to the property concerned or the extent of the damage, significantly harsher penalties are prescribed.
In offences against property, it is therefore not only the taking or deprivation of another’s belongings that is of significance; the destruction, damage, defacement, or rendering of property unusable is likewise subject to criminal penalties.
The Significance of Impairment to the Property as a Key Criterion of Distinction
Particularly in cases involving allegations of criminal damage, it is often underestimated that the law does not cover only the complete destruction of property. Liability may already arise where another person’s property is damaged, defaced, or rendered unusable. This makes it clear, even at the level of the statutory elements, that for the purposes of Section 125 of the Criminal Code it is not necessary for an item to have been permanently destroyed. It is sufficient that there has been a relevant impairment of its condition, its appearance, or its usability.
For that very reason, criminal damage typically encompasses not only smashing a window or destroying an object, but also acts such as scratching a car or spraying graffiti on another person’s façade. Conversely, not every unauthorised interference with another’s property automatically constitutes an offence under Section 125 of the Criminal Code. If an item is merely taken, moved, or used without being destroyed, damaged, defaced, or rendered unusable, the offence of criminal damage will generally not be made out.
Simple Criminal Damage in Austria under Section 125 of the Criminal Code
Section 125 of the Criminal Code constitutes the basic offence of criminal damage. Any person who destroys, damages, defaces, or renders another’s property unusable is liable to prosecution. The penalty is imprisonment for up to six months or a fine of up to 360 daily rates. The basic offence does not require any minimum level of damage; accordingly, even comparatively low-value items may be the subject of criminal damage.
Example: Someone scratches the paintwork of another person’s car with a key. In such a case, this will typically constitute criminal damage, as the property of another has at least been damaged. For the basic offence, it is not necessary for the vehicle to be rendered unusable.
Von besonderer praktischer Bedeutung ist zudem, dass Sachbeschädigung ein Vorsatzdelikt ist. Nach § 7 StGB ist, wenn das Gesetz nichts anderes bestimmt, nur vorsätzliches Handeln strafbar. Vorsatz liegt nach § 5 StGB bereits dann vor, wenn der Täter die Verwirklichung des gesetzlichen Tatbilds ernstlich für möglich hält und sich damit abfindet. Eine bloß fahrlässige (etwa versehentliche) Beschädigung erfüllt § 125 StGB daher nicht. Wer etwa beim Einparken aus Unachtsamkeit ein fremdes Fahrzeug streift, verwirklicht damit nicht automatisch den Tatbestand der Sachbeschädigung, da es am Vorsatz mangelt.
Serious Criminal Damage in Austria under Section 126 of the Criminal Code
§ 126 StGB regelt die schwere Sachbeschädigung.
This aggravated form does not depend solely on the amount of damage caused; it is already fulfilled if the offence is directed against particularly protected property. This includes, for example, property dedicated to religious worship or infrastructure, graves, other burial sites, tombs or memorials in cemeteries or places of worship, public monuments, items protected as listed heritage, objects of recognised scientific, ethnological, artistic, or historical value held in publicly accessible collections or public buildings, as well as essential components of critical infrastructure. Irrespective of the extent of the damage, the penalty in such cases is imprisonment of up to two years.
Note: In practice, damage to critical infrastructure occurs relatively frequently and results in aggravated criminal damage being assumed, regardless of the extent of the loss. Critical infrastructure includes, in particular, facilities that are essential to public safety, healthcare services, energy and water supply, as well as central information and communication systems. Traffic lights, snow poles, road traffic signs, guardrails and similar installations are also considered part of critical infrastructure.
Example: A person destroys a grave monument in a cemetery or damages a public memorial. Such cases will regularly no longer fall merely within the scope of Section 125 of the Criminal Code, but may already be classified as aggravated criminal damage under Section 126.
Where the offence does not involve particularly protected property, the amount of damage determines whether aggravated criminal damage is constituted. If the offender causes damage exceeding EUR 5,000, a custodial sentence of up to two years may be imposed.
Übersteigt der Schaden hingegen 300.000 Euro, ist die Tat sogar mit Freiheitsstrafe von sechs Monaten bis zu fünf Jahren sanktioniert.
Defence in Criminal Proceedings for Criminal Damage
In defence practice, it can be observed that in cases involving allegations under Sections 125 and 126 of the Criminal Code, the legal classification often depends on the specific details of the facts. Of central importance is, in particular, whether a “foreign” item was actually affected, whether there is a relevant impairment fulfilling the statutory elements or merely an alleged unauthorised use or relocation, the actual extent of the damage, and whether any qualifying circumstances under Section 126 are present.<br>Especially in cases involving façades, vehicles, monuments, burial sites, or infrastructure-related facilities, a precise legal assessment typically requires a careful, case-by-case professional evaluation.
In addition, the issue of intent is of decisive importance for the outcome of criminal proceedings. Not every damage caused automatically constitutes criminal damage in criminal law terms. Whether a person deliberately damages property, seriously considers the possibility of causing damage and reconciles themselves to it, or whether the incident is merely the result of an accident or careless conduct, is a central factor in the legal assessment.
For this reason, statements regarding the precise course of events, the intensity of the act, and the condition of the property should not be made lightly or without prior legal advice and the assistance of a criminal defence lawyer.
Contact us to secure your customized defense strategy
Allegations under Sections 125 et seq. of the Austrian Criminal Code should by no means be underestimated and may result in significant penalties as well as adverse consequences for those affected. Our criminal law advice can make a decisive contribution to avoiding unnecessary or severe criminal repercussions for you or persons close to you.
If you or someone close to you is facing such allegations, please feel free to contact us.
Summary of Criminal Damage in Austria
Section 125 of the Criminal Code – Criminal damage: In Austria, criminal damage occurs when another person’s property is destroyed, damaged, defaced, or rendered unusable. The penalty is imprisonment of up to six months or a fine of up to 360 daily rates.
No minimum damage requirement under the basic offence: Section 125 of the Criminal Code does not require any specific minimum amount of damage. Even items of relatively low value can therefore constitute the subject matter of criminal damage.
Intent required: Criminal damage is generally only punishable if committed intentionally. Mere negligent damage therefore does not fulfil the requirements of Section 125 of the Criminal Code.
Section 126 of the Criminal Code – Aggravated criminal damage: Aggravated criminal damage may be considered in cases involving particularly protected property or where the damage exceeds EUR 5,000. If the damage exceeds EUR 300,000, the applicable penalty increases to a term of imprisonment of six months to five years.
Importance of defence: Whether, in a particular case, criminal damage, aggravated criminal damage, or no criminally relevant conduct at all is present often depends on the specific circumstances of the case (such as whether the property belongs to another person, whether damage actually occurred, the extent of the damage, and intent).
FAQ: Häufig gestellte Fragen zur Sachbeschädigung in Österreich
Sachbeschädigung stellt gemäß dem Strafgesetzbuch eine strafbare Handlung dar, sofern der Schädiger vorsätzlich handelt. Diese Einstufung als Straftat schützt fremdes Vermögen effektiv vor einer vorsätzlichen Zerstörung, Beschädigung, Verunstaltung oder einem Unbrauchbarmachen.
§ 125 StGB normiert den Grundtatbestand der Sachbeschädigung, wobei das vorsätzliche Zerstören, Beschädigen, Verunstalten und Unbrauchbarmachen fremder Sachen unter Strafe gestellt wird. § 125 StGB ist ein strafrechtlicher Tatbestand, um gegen unbefugte Eingriffe in das Vermögen anderer Personen vorzugehen.
Unter diesen Tatbestand fallen sämtliche Handlungen wie das Zerkratzen von Autolacken oder das Besprühen von Fassaden, weil diese den Zustand der Sache beeinträchtigen (“beschädigen”) bzw. diese verunstalten. Ebenso gilt das Zerstören oder Unbrauchbarmachen von fremden Gegenständen als Sachbeschädigung. Bei sämtlichen Handlungen muss der Täter die Sachbeschädigung jedoch zumindest für möglich halten und sich damit abfinden.
Die (“einfache”) Sachbeschädigung zieht bei einer Verurteilung eine Geldstrafe von bis zu 360 Tagessätzen nach sich. Alternativ sieht das Gesetz für diesen Grundtatbestand eine Freiheitsstrafe von bis zu sechs Monaten vor. Unter Umständen ist jedoch auch eine sogenannte Diversion möglich.
§ 126 StGB regelt die schwere Sachbeschädigung, bei welcher deutlich höhere Strafen für besonders geschützte Sachen oder Schäden über 5.000 Euro festgelegt sind. Diese Bestimmung greift insbesondere bei Angriffen auf die kritische Infrastruktur oder öffentliche Denkmäler, weil diese Objekte von besonderer Bedeutung für die Allgemeinheit sind.
Im Falle einer Anklage wegen (schwerer) Sachbeschädigung wird ein sogenannter Strafantrag erhoben und durch die Staatsanwaltschaft beim zuständigen Gericht eingebracht. Dort wird dann die Gerichtsverhandlung (“Hauptverhandlung”) durchgeführt, zu welcher der Angeklagte geladen wird und sich im Rahmen dessen zum Vorwurf verantwortet. Nach Durchführung der Hauptverhandlung fällt das Gericht idR sein Urteil.
Im Zuge des Strafverfahrens können Geschädigte zivilrechtliche Ansprüche geltend machen. Der Angeklagte kann zur finanziellen Wiedergutmachung des Schadens an den geschädigten Eigentümer mitverurteilt werden. Die Geltendmachung solcher zivilrechtlicher Ansprüche im Strafverfahren nennt sich in Österreich “Privatbeteiligung”.
Ein erfahrener Anwalt übernimmt die professionelle Verteidigung gegen den Vorwurf der Sachbeschädigung, um die rechtliche Einordnung des Sachverhalts genau zu prüfen. Er berät sowohl zur Rechts- als auch Beweislage, damit der Betroffene das bestmögliche Ergebnis im Strafverfahren erhält.
