Property Investment in Austria as a Foreigner

The sale of real estate to foreigners is limited in Austria: you must obtain permission from a municipality for the purchase. The possibility and conditions of purchase depend on the region. In the Alpine federal states of Tyrol and Vorarlberg, one must be an EU citizen or register a purchase for a European company to buy a property.

Statistics confirm the liquidity of investments: residential real estate prices grow by an average of 2% every quarter. Five years ago, an apartment of 100 m² cost an average of €313,000, and today it is sold for €461,000.

€4,611

Average price per 1 m²

2%

Average price growth per quarter

5—11%

Associated costs, of the property value

How the residential property price index is growing in Austria

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Cost of a 3-bedroom apartment in Austria

€4.7 million

Penthouse in the historical centre of Vienna, the Inner City district

€1.2 million

Apartment in Vienna, in a 10‑minute drive from the centre

€500,000

Apartment 25 km away from Vienna or in Graz

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Austria residence permit or citizenship by real estate investment

Obtaining an Austria residence permit or citizenship is not connected with purchasing real estate. On the contrary, you must get a residence permit to buy a property.

The Austria residence permit obligates its holder to live in the country for at least 183 days a year. After five years, a resident can get a permanent residence permit and apply for Austria citizenship after another three years.

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Discover real estate market trends in 41 European countries

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Taxes and associated costs

Purchase taxes

Property buyers pay a transfer tax and special fees. The associated costs range between 5% and 11% of the purchase agreement value. When buying an apartment for €500,000, the investor will spend €555,000, including associated costs.

Transfer of ownership3.5%
Registration fee1.1%
Legal support1.2% — VAT included
Agency fee — when buying through an agency3.2—4.8% — VAT included
Notary fee — VAT included€360—600
Purchase authorisation — if the buyer is a foreigner€1,000

Ownership taxes

Austria doesn’t have a property tax, only a land tax. The owners of apartments in multi-apartment buildings pay land tax for the plot on which the building stands. The tax is included in monthly utility bills: for an apartment of 80 m², it is about €10 per month.

Income tax is payable on rental income. Austria has a progressive income tax rate of 20% to 55%, depending on annual income. The average rate is 25%.

Utilities. Water, electricity, and gas are paid by meters. Apartment heating can be individual or central. If the heating is individual, there is no separate fee: only the energy source like gas or electricity for the boiler is charged.

The fee for the building maintenance, including the elevator, cleaning, repairs, and security, depends on the management company and the building equipment.

Internet, TV and telephone connection cost from €20 to €50, depending on the tariff and locality.

Electricity, gas, water, heating, and garbage collection€120—350 — per month
Building maintenance — elevator, cleaning, repairs, and security€100—300 — per month

Sale taxes

The property seller pays capital gains tax on the difference between the sale and purchase prices. Income tax is not paid on the sale of real estate.

If the owner sells the property through an agency, the buyer usually pays a commission. Legal support of the transaction costs approximately 1.2% of the sale amount, which are optional expenses.

Countries to buy a property and get residency or citizenship

We offer proven properties that comply with the conditions of government programs for investors. You can buy real estate and obtain a residence permit or citizenship.

Country and status
Investments
Status
Time required
mt-flagmt-flag
Malta29 properties

€375,000+

Permanent residency

6+ months

Show 29 properties

€375,000+Permanent residency6+ months
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gd-flaggd-flag
Grenada44 properties

$270,000+

Citizenship

8+ months

Show 44 properties

$270,000+Citizenship8+ months
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ae-flagae-flag
UAE158 properties

AED 750,000+

Residence permit

2+ months

Show 158 properties

AED 750,000+Residence permit2+ months
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es-flages-flag
Spain38 properties

Not limited

Residence permit

4+ months

Show 38 properties

Not limitedResidence permit4+ months
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Portugal68 properties

Not limited

Residency after D Visas

6+ months

Show 68 properties

Not limitedResidency after D Visas6+ months
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40+ guides with European countries

Find out how much it costs to buy and rent real estate in each country, what the market dynamics are and what taxes you need to pay when buying and selling.

cz-flagProperty Investment in Czech Republic as a Foreigner

In Czechia, foreigners can buy, sell and rent out properties without restrictions. Statistics confirm the liquidity of investments:...

€4,400

Average price per 1 m²

3%

Average price growth per quarter

Learn more
bg-flagProperty Investment in Bulgaria as a Foreigner

Bulgaria prohibits selling land to non-EU citizens. A land plot with a house can be bought for a legal entity if it’s a Bulgarian...

€1,381

Average price per 1 m²

€300,000

Real estate investment for residency

Learn more
gb-flagProperty Investment in UK as a Foreigner

Foreigners can buy, lease and sell real estate without restrictions in the UK. Statistics confirm the liquidity of investments: every...

€4,310

Average price per 1 m²

1,3%

Average price growth per quarter

Learn more
Lyle Julien

Material prepared by Lyle Julien, Investment programmes expert

Updated:

​Frequently asked questions

  • Can foreigners buy property in Austria?

    Yes, foreigners are allowed to buy real estate in Austria. If they don’t have a residence permit in Austria, they need to obtain a permit for buying real estate. A resident of the country — a foreigner with a residence permit or permanent residency — can purchase real estate to live in. Citizens of EU countries, Switzerland, Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein buy real estate without restrictions.

  • Is property expensive in Austria?

    The average real estate price in Austria is €4,611 per 1 m². The lowest prices for Austrian residential property are in Burgenland and Styria, and the highest are in Vorarlberg and Vienna.

  • Can I get residency in Austria if I buy a house?

    No. On the contrary, to buy real estate in Austria, you need to get a residence permit. To do that, you must live in the country for at least 183 days a year. After five years, you can get permanent residence status, and after another three years — apply for Austrian citizenship.

  • Where is the cheapest place to live in Austria?

    The lowest prices for Austrian residential property are in Burgenland and Styria.

  • How much tax do I pay in Austria?

    Buyers of real estate in Austria pay a 3,5% transfer tax. Landlords pay an income tax based on their annual rental income. The rate is progressive: 20%—55%

    There is no real estate tax in Austria, only a land tax. Apartment owners of apartment buildings pay land tax for the plot on which the house stands. The tax is included in monthly utility payments: for an apartment of 80 m², it’s about €10 per month.