Magnus Brunner (German: [ˈmaɡnʊsˈbʁʊnɐ]; born 6 May 1972) is an Austrian politician of the Austrian People's Party (ÖVP) who has been serving as European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration since December 2024. Previously, he served as Austria's finance minister from 2021 until 2024 in the government of Chancellor Karl Nehammer.

Early life and education

Brunner studied jurisprudence at the University of Innsbruck, the University of Vienna (Dr. iur.) and King's College London (LLM).

Political career

Brunner was a member of the Federal Council for the Austrian People's Party (ÖVP) from 1 May 2009 until 6 January 2020.

He served as state secretary (Staatssekretär) in the Ministry of Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation, and Technology in the government of Chancellor Sebastian Kurz.

Following the 2024 European elections, the Austrian government nominated Brunner as the country's European Commissioner serving under President Ursula von der Leyen. Journalists made Magnus Brunner in part responsible for the handling of Austria's desolate finances and concluded that he was the wrong choice for the position as European Commissioner.

In July 2025, Brunner was among several European officials declared "persona non grata" by the Government of National Stability in eastern Libya after he and the said officials held an earlier meeting with officials of the rival Government of National Unity based in Tripoli.

Other activities

European Union organizations

International organizations

Non-profit organizations

Honours

Brunner receiving the Order of Merit of the Principality of Liechtenstein from Alois, Hereditary Prince of Liechtenstein on 2 September 2024
Political offices
Preceded byGernot BlümelMinister of Finance 2021–2024Succeeded byGunter Mayr (acting)
Preceded byJohannes HahnAustrian European Commissioner 2024–presentIncumbent
Preceded byYlva JohanssonEuropean Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration 2024–presentIncumbent