The Rules of Buying Austrian Real Estate

Features of buying real estate in Austria

It is not possible to obtain an Austrian residence permit based on the purchase of real estate. The procedure is reversed: if you are not a citizen of one of the EU countries, you need to get a residence permit first. Only then you have the right to buy a house. Moreover, you can buy only one property for your own stay, there is no question of commercial premises or a second rental house for individuals.

Austria has several immigration programs, including an investment-based residence permit and a residence permit for financially independent individuals. In both cases, the successful applicant becomes a tax resident of the country and gets the right to buy real estate.

What should non-residents do?

1. Get special permission from the authorities. At the same time, a number of conditions must be met. In general, it is required to have a permanent residence in Austria for at least three years, to have a long-term rental housing and registration at the address of residence. But each land has its own characteristics and rules. For example, in the city of Graz (the federal state of Styria), you do not need to get a permit at all. In Vienna, you can also avoid this procedure if one of the spouses has Austrian citizenship.
2. Purchase real estate through a company. In this case, you have the right to buy both commercial and residential premises for rent or resale. The commercial organization must have the main place of registration and activity, as well as the main office in Austria and deduct taxes in this country. If the company is registered in one of the EEA countries, it is also possible to buy Austrian property through it, but only after obtaining the appropriate permission.

Buying a home in Austria is suitable for people who plan to closely associate their subsequent life and commercial activities with the country.

See what you can buy in Austria right now

1 165 000 €

Apartment in Vienna, Austria

54 sq.m 3 2 2

Stunning apartment on the 6th floor of the Werder Six project with 2 bedrooms and a balcony of 4.58 sq. m. Apartment size: 62.8 sq. m. The new elite WerderSix project is located in the center of Vienna, cozy luxury apartments with modern design in a renovated historical building. High-quality finishing with modern materials. For these...

Luxury Immobilien GMBH

6 800 000 €

Apartment in Vienna, Austria

266 sq.m 4 3 2

Incredible and spacious luxury apartments with 4 rooms and an area of 265.57 sq. m. in the center of the Austrian capital in the new Herzfeldhaus project. These apartments are located on the 5th floor (after the ground floor). The Stadtpark is a few minutes away, and the Vienna Opera is six minutes away. Next to the complex is the main...

Luxury Immobilien GMBH

6 400 000 €

Apartment in Vienna, Austria

243 sq.m 4 3 3

We present to your attention a luxury and very spacious apartment with 3 rooms and an area of 243.3 sq. m. in the center of the Austrian capital in the new Herzfeldhaus project. These apartments are located on the 5th floor (after the ground floor). The Stadtpark is a few minutes away, and the Vienna Opera is six minutes away. Next to the...

Luxury Immobilien GMBH

2 450 000 €

Villa in Upper Austria, Austria

260 sq.m 4 4

A wonderful 4 bedroom villa is located at the foot of the Ahlberg Mountain in a very popular residential area, known for its good wine taverns with excellent wine in Klosterneuburg. It combines the idyll of rural life and the convenience of an urban location in an area with good infrastructure: medical centers, schools and good transport links...

Luxury Immobilien GMBH

9 952 000 €

Apartment in Vienna, Austria

512 sq.m 10 5 5

Spacious apartment with an area of 512 sq.m. and 5 bedrooms belong to the Börseplatz 1 project. The competent layout of the apartment perfectly harmonizes with the ceiling height reaching 4 meters. The apartment is decorated in the style of "modern classics". The endless elegance and modernity of the forms will not leave you indifferent. The...

Luxury Immobilien GMBH

7 490 000 €

Villa in Vienna, Austria

432 sq.m 4 4

Luxurious 4 bedroom villa located in the 19th district of Vienna (Döbling), on Bellevuestraße, between the vineyards and the Wienerwald. The design of this exclusive family villa was created to achieve both tremendous open space and the sense of size and altitude. Key features: Total area: 431,55 m2 Garden area: 592,36 m2...

Luxury Immobilien GMBH

1 390 000 €

Apartment in Vienna, Austria

86 sq.m 4 4

Luxurious 4 bedroom apartment located in the 19th district of Vienna (Döbling), on Bellevuestraße, between the vineyards and the Wienerwald. The design of this exclusive villa was created to achieve both tremendous open space and the sense of size and altitude. Key features: Total area: 85,86 m2 Garden: 240 m2 Heated...

Luxury Immobilien GMBH

3 990 000 €

Apartment in Vienna, Austria

211 sq.m 4

New apartments with an area of 211.4 sq.m with 4 bedrooms, located on the 6th floor, in the new elite project Am Werdertor. This project is located in the center of Vienna, it has a high-quality finish in a modern style: high ceilings, classic herringbone parquet laying technology, high-quality plastering of walls, first-class equipped bathrooms...

Luxury Immobilien GMBH

1 399 000 €

Apartment in Vienna, Austria

71 sq.m 2 1 1

Apartments with high-quality finishes with 2 rooms on the 7th floor of the Werder Six project. Apartment with an area of 71.36 sq. m. in the center of Vienna with panoramic views of the city in a new project. The apartments with high-quality finishes with modern materials were built within the Werder Six project in an old building made in the...

Luxury Immobilien GMBH

745 000 €

Flat in Vienna, Austria

67 sq.m 2 1

Apartments in a residential complex on the banks of the Danube, with direct access to the water. 19th district. The total area of the complex is 16,000 sq.m, with green spaces and Parking Concierge service 2-5 room apartments with spacious terraces and loggias Fitness room, bio sauna, event room Option: apartment of 47.5 sq.m, 2...

Alisa Estejt

3 349 000 €

Apartment in Vienna, Austria

133 sq.m 2 1 2

Online Viewing Remote Transaction

Incomparable 2-bedroom apartment with an area of 133.39 sq. m. in the center of Vienna with panoramic views of the city in a new project. The new elite Werder Six project is located in the center of Vienna, cozy luxury apartments with modern design in a renovated historical building. The apartments with high-quality finishes and modern materials...

Luxury Immobilien GMBH

1 169 221 €

Flat in Vienna, Austria

118 sq.m 4

The apartment is located in a residential project, right next to the green area Schweizergarten, Botanical Garden and Belvedere Palace Garden. These first-class condominiums and investor apartments with a view over Vienna are located directly on the park and have a fantastic all-round view of the greenery. Their location enables the shortest...

Immotrading GmbH

560 000 €

Flat in Vienna, Austria

73 sq.m 2

2-room apartment with balcony, basement compartment and 1 parking space in the underground garage is for sale. Usable area: 75 sqm incl. balcony and cellar compartment, located on 4th floor. The apartment is rented for 4 years. The new owner can extend the contract or terminate it with a 3 month notice. Monthly rent: 1058 euro (excl....

Immotrading GmbH

2 895 000 €

Villa in Austria

227 sq.m 7

This impressive property is located in the villa district of the enchanting spa town of Baden near Vienna, not far from the city center. The real magic is in the details, which we are about to reveal to you. The villa on three levels offers everything one could wish for in a modern lifestyle. In the basement with an area of approx. 120.68 m²...

Immotrading GmbH

580 000 €

Flat in Vienna, Austria

54 sq.m 2

Exclusive Living Pleasure in the Heart of Vienna The 1st district, also known as the Inner City, is a captivating neighborhood nestled in the heart of Vienna. Here, history and modernity merge in a unique way. The splendid buildings, cobblestone streets, and charming squares give the district a special aura. Your new home is currently...

Immotrading GmbH

919 000 €

Flat in Austria

117 sq.m 5

This unique maisonette apartment offers exclusive living comfort in a sought-after location. With a living space of approximately 117.06 m², it spans two floors and is in first occupancy, ensuring the most modern living luxury. Highlights: 5 rooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 separate toilets 3 loggias and 3 terraces with a total area of approximately...

Immotrading GmbH

598 000 €

Flat in Vienna, Austria

83 sq.m 4

Wonderful 4-room apartment in historical building with 2 balconies We are pleased to offer you this recently renovated 4-room apartment ready for move-in in a classic turn-of-the-century building in Vienna''s 6th district. Location: Within 5 minutes walking distance to the underground line U3 or directly to Mariahilfer Straße!...

Immotrading GmbH

990 000 €

House in Austria

71 sq.m 3

This Tyrolean bungalow in Kirchdorf in Tirol is located in a quiet and sunny location with a breathtaking view of the majestic Kitzbüheler Horn. The house impresses with its open, exposed roof structure and the high-quality carpentry in reclaimed wood and oak. The sun terrace and the wonderful garden invite you to relax and enjoy. The great...

Immotrading GmbH

398 000 €

Flat in Vienna, Austria

98 sq.m 4

Charming 4-room apartment located in Vienna''s 14th district for sale General information This appealing apartment is situated in a well-maintained building constructed in 1977 in Vienna''s 14th district. It boasts brightness and offers views of the tranquil garden courtyard. With a total floor area of approximately 111...

Immotrading GmbH

4 000 000 €

Flat in Vienna, Austria

160 sq.m 3

Luxury apartment in Vienna''s city center with rooftop terrace is now available for sale. Upon entering the house, you immediately sense the quality and luxury, whether it''s in the lobby, foyer, or especially in the spa area. On the ground floor, you''ll find your own exquisitely equipped wellness area with a...

Immotrading GmbH

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Property taxes

The tax on the ownership of land and properties located on it (Grundsteuer) is transferred to the account of the local municipality. The rate is calculated based on the cost of the plot and the type of property. This tax is paid not only by the owner, but also by the co-owners. If the property is rented out, the accrued amount is usually divided equally between the owner and the tenant and is included in utility bills.

Bids. The starting point for calculating the property tax is the cadastral value of the property (Einheitswert), which is determined by the tax inspectorate. Often, the cadastral value is significantly lower than the market value, since its determination does not take into account currency fluctuations, seasonal price hikes and other temporary factors. But even knowing this amount and the exact rate of the municipality is not enough to calculate the tax: in addition, other variables are involved in the formula, such as the type and nature of the use of the object, as well as the share of the territory allocated for construction.

In general, the rates vary as follows.

1. For your own home

• For the first €3,650 – 0.5%
• For the next €7,300 – 1,0%
• For the remaining amount – 2.0%

2. For mixed-use properties and rental housing

• For the first €3,650 – 1,0%
• For the next €3,650 – 1.5%
• For the remaining amount – 2.0%

3. For industrial and agricultural facilities

• For the first €3,650 – 1.6%
• For the remaining amount – 2.0%

4. For other types of property

• For the first €3,650 – 1%
• For the remaining amount – 2%

Knowing the cadastral value of real estate, the rates and the increasing coefficient, you can independently calculate the amount of tax and compare it with the specified tax office. If the difference is too large, you have the right to contact the inspection for recalculation.

For apartments, the amount of tax is much less than for houses, since the land on which the complex stands is equally divided among all owners. In this case, the rate of about 0.2% is applied, and the amount of tax is included in small parts in utility bills.

When and how to pay. The amount due is calculated at the beginning of the year and is usually payable in four stages with deadlines of February 15, May 15, August 14 and November 15. However, if the amount is less than €75, you need to pay it in one payment to the municipality's account by May 15.

When you don't have to pay. Usually, government facilities are exempt from the tax: ministries and departments, churches, charitable organizations, sports associations, schools, kindergartens, etc. In some federal states, there are temporary tax incentives for new buildings, for the construction of which state subsidies have been allocated.

Sale of real estate

Market trends. Despite the pandemic, property prices and demand are steadily rising. Since 2013, the number of affordable apartments in Vienna has been reduced by half. And over the past ten years, housing prices in Salzburg have soared by 110%.

Taxes. Capital gains tax must be paid by anyone who sells a property in Austria purchased after 2002. The tax is paid on the difference between the purchase price and the sale price. The rate for individuals is fixed and it's 30%. If the property was purchased before 2002, the rate is 4.2%.

The amount of the tax base can be reduced, if the owner proves the cost of repairs and redevelopment. Maintenance is not taken into account.

There are a few cases where capital gains tax does not need to be paid.

• If the selling property is the main place of residence of the owner, and the area of the object does not exceed 1 thousand square meters. In this case, the owner must live in the house or apartment for at least two consecutive years or at least five years in total for the last ten years.
• If the owner first bought the land and then built a house on it. In this case, the tax is levied only on the land, provided that the owner lived in the house permanently.
• If the property is inherited or used as a donation, there is no capital gains tax to pay, only a tax on the transfer of property rights. In this case, the rate is 2% for relatives and 3.5% for outsiders.

When and how to pay. After the transaction is concluded, the former owner must send the profit data to the notary, so that he will pass it to the tax inspectorate. The declaration must be submitted no later than the 15th day of the month following the month of the transaction. On the basis of the declaration, the tax office sends a notification, after which it is necessary to transfer the amount of tax to the department's account within a maximum of a month.

Additional expenses. All transaction costs are borne by the buyer. In addition to the tax on the transfer of real estate, the new owner pays a fee for registration in the Land Cadastre (1.1%), pays for the services of a real estate agency (3-4% of the transaction amount) and a lawyer (1-2%).

Quoting conditions of Prian.info materials