Real estate investment in Austria

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.

How to get a residence permit in Austria

How to get a residence permit in Austria

Discover real estate market trends in 41 European countries

Practical Guide

Discover real estate market trends in 41 European countries

  • Master the residency process
  • Get expert tips and documents
  • Estimate costs accurately

Taxes and associated costs

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
Property investments
Status
Obtaining time
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Malta12 properties

€300,000+

Permanent residency

6+ months

Show 12 properties

€300,000+Permanent residency6+ months
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Grenada21 property

$270,000+

Citizenship

8+ months

Show 21 property

$270,000+Citizenship8+ months
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UAE114 properties

AED 750,000+

Residence permit

2+ months

Show 114 properties

AED 750,000+Residence permit2+ months
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Spain36 properties

€500,000+

Residence permit

5+ months

Show 36 properties

€500,000+Residence permit5+ months
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Portugal67 properties

Not limited

Residency after D Visas

6+ months

Show 67 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.

fi-flagReal estate investment in Finland

Foreigners can freely buy and sell real estate in Finland. To purchase a land plot with a house, one needs permission from the Ministry...

€5,300

Average price per 1 m²

0,6%

Average price growth per quarter

Learn more
cz-flagReal estate investment in Czechia

In Czechia, foreigners can buy, sell and rent out properties without restrictions.

€4,400

Average price per 1 m²

3%

Average price growth per quarter

Learn more
bg-flagReal estate investment in Bulgaria

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 company.

€1,381

Average price per 1 m²

€300,000

Real estate investment for residency

Learn more
gb-flagReal estate investment in Great Britain

Foreigners can buy, lease and sell real estate without restrictions in the UK.

€4,310

Average price per 1 m²

1,3%

Average price growth per quarter

Learn more
se-flagReal estate investment in Sweden

Foreigners can freely buy, lease, and sell real estate in Sweden. There are no restrictions on property ownership for non-residents or...

€4,800

Average price per 1 m²

1.2%

Average price growth per quarter

Learn more
sk-flagReal estate investment in Slovakia

Foreigners can freely buy, lease, and sell real estate in Slovakia.

€3,800

Average price per 1 m²

2%

Average price growth per quarter

Learn more
Lyle Julien

Material prepared by Lyle Julien, Investment programs 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.