How to access your ELGA healthcare records

What is ELGA? ELGA – “elektronische Gesundheitsakte” (electronic health records) is a secure on-line system which holds all your medical records in one place . Once logged in, you can view your prescriptions, vaccinations, examination findings, laboratory and radiological results etc. Doctors, hospitals, healthcare professionals and pharmacies can also access your health records using your […]

Free video streaming with your library card

The Arbeiterkammer Bibliothek and Stadtbibliothek have launched a video streaming service ‘filmfriend’ (Links – AK and Stadtbibliothek) as part of their digital library services. Library users can view 3,500 feature and short films, documentaries, series, international arthouse cinema, comedies or dramas. It’s an eclectic collection – think festival award winning European films rather than your […]

Tiendita de Alex – Mexican Store

Tiendita de Alex is THE place to go if you are looking for authentic Mexican products. Run by a group of Mexican friends who were missing food from their homecountry, you’ll be sure to find whatever you need. For example when I visited in January they had tamales for El Día de los Reyes Mago (three king’s […]

Österreichischer Alpenverein – mountain club

The Österreichischer Alpenverein is Austria’s biggest alpen club specialising in mountain sports (hiking, mountaineering, climbing, ski touring, mountain biking and other sports). They look after mountain trails, rock climbing routes plus manage and maintain mountains huts where hikers can stay overnight. They also organise a full schedule of activities for kids and adults – including guided […]

Where to buy a christmas tree in Graz

Austrians usually don’t put up their christmas trees until Dec 24th (as Christkind brings and decorates the tree in many homes on this date). So the Christmas stands in the center of Graz open later than in other countries – Dec 10th in 2022. It’s also possible to find a tree earlier at places like […]

Sport activities & classes for babies & kids

There are a lot of great affordable classes and activities to keep kids active in Graz! Babies & younger children Eltern Kind Zentrum (Petersgasse 44A, 8010) offers a wide range of classes and programs for parents and babies / small kids. Kinderfreundehaus (Schlossergasse 4, 8010) offers classes, parent & kid groups (they welcome international parents) […]

Resources for parents in Graz

Below are some very helpful organisations who can provide support, advice and classes for new parents, daycare options (plus flexible drop off / emergency care options), schools, training and education opportunities  for teenagers and more. New parents The City of Graz has an informative website with lots of resources for families (switch the language in […]

All Saints Day ‘Allerheiligen’ November 1st

For those familar with the Mexican Day of the Dead celebrations, Austria has a similar tradition, although more somber and less of a party atmosphere! On November 1st All Saints Day ‘Allerheiligen’ in German and November 2nd All Souls Day ‘Allerseelen’ Austrians visit their local cemetery and decorate their relatives’ graves with flowers, wreaths and […]

Winter Tires

In Austria it is highly recommended to have winter tires on your car between November 1st and April 15th. Driving in good weather with summer tires is still allowed but driving in wintery road conditions without winter tyres or snow chains can incur a fine of € 35. If other road users are endangered as […]