Tyrolean hotel owners face tax evasion probe over €200,000 in unpaid social security
A married couple operating a wellness hotel and holiday rentals in Tyrol is under investigation for tax evasion. Austrian authorities allege they failed to pay over €200,000 in taxes, social security contributions, and fraudulently claimed subsidies. The pair, referred to only as an Unternehmerfamilie (entrepreneurial family), now faces legal scrutiny after coordinated raids in Bavaria.
The probe began when officers from the Financial Intelligence Unit for Undeclared Work searched properties linked to the couple. On a single day, teams targeted a private home, a hotel, and a guesthouse across the Pfaffenhofen an der Ilm and Kelheim districts. During the operation, investigators from the Augsburg Main Customs Office collected documents and questioned staff as witnesses.
The allegations centre on unpaid or underreported social security contributions. Authorities also suspect the couple falsely claimed short-time work benefits—a subsidy meant to support businesses during downturns. While the couple’s names remain undisclosed, officials confirm the case involves a cross-border hospitality business with ties to Austria and Germany. The Augsburg Main Customs Office, which led the investigation, will mark its 75th anniversary with an Open Day on 18 July 2026. The event, however, comes amid heightened scrutiny of financial crimes in the sector.
The case now moves to prosecutors, who will examine the evidence gathered during the raids. If convicted, the couple could face penalties for tax evasion, social security fraud, and misuse of public funds. The investigation also highlights ongoing efforts to crack down on undeclared work and subsidy abuse in the social security office industry.
