How to rent a flat in Austria: all you need to know in 2025

Renting a flat in Austria can feel like navigating a maze of paperwork, hidden fees, and German jargon—but don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Whether you're eyeing a chic loft in Vienna or a cozy hideaway in the Alps, this guide will give you the lowdown on everything you need to know for 2025. From deciphering contracts to figuring out what "Kaution" means (spoiler: it’s your deposit), we’re here to make the process as smooth as that first sip of Austrian coffee. Let’s dive in!

Key terms to know

Now, let’s talk essentials. Renting a flat in Austria comes with its own unique lingo, so here's a quick glossary of key terms you'll encounter:

Altbau - A charming, older building with history and character.

Betriebskosten – Operating costs that typically cover utilities like water, garbage collection, cleaning of common areas, and insurance (often referred to as Nebenkosten). Occasionally, you’ll see Bruttokaltmiete, which includes the Nettomiete (base rent) plus Betriebskosten.‍
Heizung und Strom – Heating and electricity, which are usually paid separately and not included in the base rent. Sometimes, you’ll see Bruttowarmmiete, which covers rent, utilities, and heating.‍
Kaution – The security deposit, usually three months' rent, but this can vary.
Makler – A real estate agent or broker who helps connect tenants and landlords, usually charging a fee of two months' rent plus 20% VAT.
Meldezettel – Your registration document for official residence in Austria.
Mietanbot – A binding rental offer, similar to a contract proposal.
Miete – The rent.
Mietzins – The rent excluding utilities (Nettomiete or Kaltmiete).
Neubau – A newly constructed building.
Provision – The real estate agent’s commission.
ORF Beitrag – A mandatory fee for Austrian public broadcasting.
Studentenheim – A student dormitory.‍
Wohngemeinschaft (WG) – A shared flat, where multiple tenants share common areas. Zweck-WG refers to a flatshare focused more on practicality than social interaction.

Websites to search for apartments

Popular Classifieds: willhaben.at – Great for finding furniture, apartments, and jobs.
Shared Flats and Apartments: wg-gesucht.de
Other popular sites for finding apartments:
wohn-buddy.com: A platform that connects young people with elderly individuals who are looking for housemates to help with daily life in exchange for affordable housing.

‍

**Renting a flat in Austria might be hard... But it's worth it!**

‍

What to keep in mind when hunting for an apartment in Austria

The more expensive the property, the easier it will be to secure, with fewer competitors and obstacles along the way. Naturally, renting a high-end place assumes you have a job or other legal sources of income to cover the costs.

Finding an apartment in Austria can be a competitive game, where landlords often choose between several potential tenants. Typically, you’ll be asked to provide three recent payslips (Lohnzettel) from a European employer as proof of income. This can make it harder for students without jobs to secure a place. As a general rule, housing should cost no more than 30-35% of your household’s combined income.

In Austria, most rental contracts are long-term, typically lasting 3 to 5 years. Once you sign, it means you can’t break the lease early without penalty. You can move out, sure, but you’ll still be responsible for paying rent until the end of the contract.

At the end of the lease, contracts are often renewed, assuming you’ve been a good tenant and are happy with the place. However, expect a rent increase when extending the lease. Sometimes, after one extension, the lease can become indefinite.

A long-term or even indefinite contract doesn’t mean you're trapped. Most leases specify when you can terminate early—usually after a certain number of months or years—and how much notice you need to give.

‍

Here are the key factors that will influence the cost of rental housing in Vienna:

Neighborhood. City center is usually more expensive.
Building Age: Whether it’s an old Altbau or a modern Neubau, new buildings or renovated old ones are generally more expensive.
Size and Number of Rooms: Naturally, the more space and rooms you have, the higher the price. A flat of the same size might have 1, 1.5, or 2 rooms. One-bedroom apartments are in higher demand, while family-friendly three-bedroom options are often limited.
Floor Level: Living on a lower floor can be cold, dark, and damp due to less sunlight, while higher floors can get too hot with direct sun exposure. The middle floors are often considered ideal and, therefore, pricier. Prices generally decrease for the top and bottom floors.
Windows: Do they face a noisy street, a quiet courtyard, or even a green park? The view impacts the price.
Elevator: A must-have if you have kids, a stroller, or health concerns.
Condition: Is it in need of repairs, or has it recently been refreshed and is ready to move into?
Nearby Infrastructure: Proximity to public transport, shops, schools, and daycare centers will add to the cost.
Appliances/Furniture: Whether the apartment comes furnished or with essential appliances plays a role in pricing.
Extra Spaces: Features like a terrace, garden, storage room, or parking space can significantly increase rent.
Building Amenities: Shared laundry rooms, underground parking, gyms, pools, and communal areas can also add value.
Lease Length: Long-term rentals are typically cheaper than short-term leases, which are more expensive for just a few months.
Rental Legality: Renting “off the books” might be cheaper (but don’t do it), as it means you won’t have a formal lease, you won’t be able to register your residence, and you could lose the apartment unexpectedly.

Most apartments come unfurnished by default. This means you’ll typically find a kitchen—probably with a fridge and stove—and a bathroom, which may or may not include a washing machine. Everything else you need for daily life is up to you to bring in, and eventually take with you when you move out.

Because of this, you’ll often see ads online from people looking to give away decent furniture or electronics, sometimes for free or for a small fee. They're usually just trying to offload it quickly since moving it to a new place isn't worth the hassle.

Furnished apartments are available, but expect to pay extra for the convenience of using the owner’s furniture, often in the form of an Ablöse—a one-time payment for the use of the furnishings.

‍

**Altbau - A charming, older building with history and character**

‍

If you're searching from abroad

Finding an apartment from outside the country is tricky, but not impossible. Attach all relevant documents, such as your university acceptance letter (Bescheid) and proof of funds from your bank. Make sure to budget enough time for the search and be prepared for the rent to be higher than you’d like, or the location less ideal. It’s also a good idea to ask a friend in Austria to check out the apartment on your behalf.

What you’ll need to pay upfront

When securing a place, expect to pay at least the first month’s rent plus a Kaution (deposit), which is typically equivalent to three months’ rent. That means you should be ready to part with at least four months’ worth of rent in one go. Since July 1, 2023, the landlord covers the Provision (broker’s fee) in most cases. However, if you’re using a real estate agent privately, you’ll be responsible for the broker’s fee, which usually amounts to two months’ rent plus 20% VAT.

Lease terms and notice period

The minimum rental period in Austria is one year. If you wish to move out, you must notify the landlord at least three months in advance (Kündigungsfrist). This means, after signing the lease, you’re generally committed to the apartment for a minimum of 15 months (one year + three-month notice period).

Energy efficiency and utilities

Apartments in Austria often come with an energy efficiency rating, indicated by letters (A+ being the most energy-efficient). Since energy costs (Betriebskosten) are an additional expense, choosing an apartment with a rating of at least C can save you money on utilities.

Furnishings and additional costs

Most rental properties come unfurnished, apart from a kitchen and bathroom fixtures. Keep this in mind when planning your budget for furniture. You’ll also likely need to factor in Haushaltsversicherung (home insurance). While not always mandatory, it’s often required by the lease, and you can compare insurance plans on durchblicker.at. Home insurance typically costs between €80-150 per year.

Different neighborhood vibes

If you’re moving to Vienna, the character of the various districts (Bezirke) can vary greatly. Each district offers something unique, so research carefully to find a neighborhood that suits your lifestyle.

Be careful with contracts

Before signing anything, make sure you understand exactly what you're agreeing to. A good example is the Mietanbot, which might look like a harmless document but actually acts as a binding rental contract. Always double-check the fine print before committing.

Subletting and co-living arrangements

If you’re sharing a flat with someone, and both names are on the lease, Austrian authorities (the Magistrat) will usually split the rent evenly. In sublet agreements, the terms of payment are typically already set in the contract. Some tenants have been asked by the Magistrat to submit a hand-signed letter explaining how they share rent, and this has been accepted without issue.

How and what write to a landlord

When reaching out to a potential landlord, it’s important to draft a compelling message. Think of it like a cover letter for a job application or a motivation letter for university. Here are some tips to help your email stand out:

Personalized Greeting: Address the landlord by name and reference something specific from the listing, so it doesn’t feel like a copy-paste template.
Introduce Yourself: Share a bit about who you are, what brings you to Austria, and why you’re looking for a place.
Show Some Personality: Include a few fun details about yourself—hobbies, interests, or any involvement in social/community projects.
Living Preferences: If you’re looking for a flatshare (WG), mention what’s important to you in roommates and highlight any previous experience living in a shared space.
Optional Extras: Feel free to attach a couple of photos of yourself to make the message more personal.
Language Tip: It’s best to write in German if possible, and ChatGPT can help craft a grammatically correct email. You could also consider adapting your name to a more Western version, like using "Margot" instead of "Margarita," for example.

For even more structure and tone guidance, feel free to ask ChatGPT for examples. It has a knack for nailing the right vibe!

‍

The competition, negotiations, and signing a Lease

How far in advance should you start looking for an apartment? The earlier, the better! While you might get lucky and find something within a couple of weeks, it’s best to start searching and negotiating at least 1-2 months before your current lease ends.

Landlords in Austria prefer long-term tenants—the longer, the better. It’s nearly impossible to find a lease for less than a year, and landing a one-year contract is rare. More often, you’ll be offered a 3-5 year lease.

You won’t be the only one applying for a desirable apartment, so be ready for competition. Schedule viewings as soon as possible and come prepared with all necessary documents. First impressions matter—dress well, exude confidence, and be ready to answer a range of questions.

Evicting a tenant, even one who hasn’t paid rent in months, is notoriously difficult in Austria. The law strongly protects renters, even those who don’t follow the rules. That’s why landlords take their time to carefully evaluate potential tenants. Be prepared to provide proof of your financial stability and reliability. Common documents include a letter from your employer, proof of income for the past few months, or a bank statement showing available funds. If you’re a student, unemployed, or unable to verify your income, securing a lease can be challenging. Families generally appear more stable, and if you’re a non-EU expat, having a valid residence permit, its type, and the duration of its validity will be key factors in the landlord’s decision.

There are a few cases where a landlord might overlook the lack of a steady income:

If you can pay several months' rent in advance.
If you can offer a larger-than-standard security deposit.
If you can prove in another way that you have the necessary funds.

‍

Rights and responsibilities

Your Rights:

You have the right to receive the apartment in the condition specified in the lease agreement. If something doesn’t match what was promised, you may be entitled to request a rent reduction.
You should receive, at the landlord’s expense, the necessary number of keys for the apartment and any related areas, including spare keys.
You are entitled to unrestricted access to the apartment and all that comes with it, like a terrace, storage room, or garage.
If something happens to the apartment—like flooding from a neighbor’s flat or a burst pipe—you can demand repairs to restore the apartment to its original state. If this isn’t possible, you can request a rent reduction.

Your Responsibilities:

Rent must be paid on time, typically by the 5th of each month, in advance. So, you’re essentially always paying ahead for the coming month.
You’re expected to maintain the apartment in good condition, which includes handling small repairs and maintaining household systems like heating, appliances, plumbing, and window maintenance.
If something goes wrong with the lock, you must inform the landlord. Determining who pays will depend on the cause—if it's due to your actions, you cover the cost; if it’s a defect, the landlord should. In any case, you have the right to call a locksmith to gain access.
You must allow the landlord or service professionals to enter the apartment at a mutually agreed-upon time for necessary repairs or upgrades, like fixing pipes or wiring.
In the event of significant damage, you are responsible for reporting it to the landlord and ensuring repairs are made.

‍

Essential steps after moving In

Register Your Residence: You must register at your new address within 3 days of moving in and obtain your Meldezettel (residence registration form).
Set Up Utilities: You’ll need to transfer the electricity account to your name by contacting the utility provider. To do this, you’ll need the meter number, which can be found directly on the meter. Then, provide your personal details and sign the contract. Do the same for water and gas if they are supplied by different companies. If you have a choice of providers, you can compare and select the best one through this website.
Label Your Mailbox: Add a nameplate with your surname on both the mailbox and the apartment door. Some mail and packages will only be delivered if your name is clearly displayed.
Set Up Internet and TV: If needed, arrange contracts for internet and TV services.

‍

So...

Moving into a new apartment in Austria isn’t just about finding the right place—it’s about navigating the registration process, setting up utilities, managing contracts, and staying on top of all the little details. It can be overwhelming, especially for expats. That’s why it’s important to stay informed and connected. Follow us on social media for tips, guidance, and the latest updates to make your life in Austria a whole lot easier!