Buying property in Austria as a foreigner: Complete UK guide (2026)

Moving to Austria from the UK? One of the first things you might need to organise is somewhere to live.

You might rent for a while before buying somewhere, or you might dive right in and buy a property. Many UK expats also buy holiday homes and investment properties in Europe.

Whatever your plans, we’re here to help with a comprehensive guide to buying property in Austria for foreigners. Read on for tips on starting your house hunt, the latest Austrian property prices, info on taxes and fees for buyers, and the pitfalls to avoid.

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Can UK foreigners buy property in Austria?

Yes, foreigners can buy property in Austria, but the process and requirements vary depending on your nationality.

EU and EEA citizens can buy property just like a local, and the process is usually pretty straightforward.

But for non-EU citizens like buyers from the UK, a permit may be required - especially if the property won’t be your main home.¹

The rules vary between regions, with stricter ones in force in certain areas (i.e. in the pristine ski resort areas of Tyrol and Vorarlberg).²

According to the Austrian government, permit applications are likely to be approved if the purchase meets the following criteria:²

• It is of cultural, social or macroeconomic interest
• There are no negative effects on national interests.

So, you’ll need to check the requirements in the area you’re looking to buy in, and make sure you apply for any required permit in plenty of time.

Can you buy real estate and get residency?

There’s no direct route to permanent residency through the purchase of property in Austria. In fact, you might need a residence permit in order to buy property in the country.

To apply for residency there as a non-EU national, you’ll usually need to go down the route of employment, starting a business, studying or having family ties in Austria.

What’s the real estate market like in Austria?

The Austria property market is experiencing a period of recovery, as the country’s economy emerges from a two-year recession. Property prices in 2025 rose by 2.12% year-on-year, with growth supported by limited supply and lower financing costs.³

Analysts are predicting a similar level of growth to continue in 2026, with prices expected to increase by around 2.5% ³ - although increases could be higher in some ‘hotter’ markets such as Vienna.

Is property a good investment in Austria?

Weighing up whether Austria is a good place to buy property abroad? Here are some pros and cons to consider.

Pros:

• Safe property market, with steady price growth - offering potential for capital appreciation over time
• Solid rental demand in some areas (i.e. Vienna) where supply is limited
• High quality new builds
• Good quality of life, if you’re planning to live in Austria.

Cons:

• Some restrictions on foreigners buying property, especially if it’s a second home
• No route to residency via a Golden Visa programme
• Limits on rental earnings - as Austria has recently tightened rent controls, including rent increase caps
• Mortgage conditions may be stricter and harder to meet for foreign applicants, and you may need a larger deposit.

How much are the property prices?

So, how much is property in Austria? This is an essential thing to know as you set your budget and start your search.

So, let’s take a look at average property prices for apartments and single-family homes across regions:³

However, it very much depends on exactly what and where you buy, along with other factors.

Where is the cheapest place to buy property in Austria?

If you’re property hunting on a budget, some of the cheapest regions of Austria include:

• Burgenland
• Lower Austria
• Upper Austria
• Styria
• Carinthia.

Best places to buy property in Austria

The best place to buy property in Austria all depends on why you’re buying.

If you’re looking to live in Austria as an expat, a major city like Vienna will offer all you could want in terms of lifestyle, culture, job opportunities, amenities and connections to the rest of Europe and the UK.

However, Vienna also has the most expensive property prices and highest cost of living. To get more for your money, you may want to look at the rapidly growing - but more affordable - cities of Graz, Linz and Salzburg.

Areas such as Salzburgerland, Tyrol and Carinthia are great spots for holiday homes, while Innsbruck, Graz and Villach are popular with expats looking to retire abroad.

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How to search for a property in Austria

If you’re new to the Austrian property market, it could be worth using a specialist real estate agent to help you find the right property.

They’ll have knowledge of the local market, as well as speaking the language and being able to guide you through the buying process. This service is likely to come with a fee, however.

When choosing an agent, make sure they have an official trade license (Gewerbeberechtigung).

You can also start the search online yourself, using one of these Austrian property websites and portals:

• Rightmove
• REMAX
• Immo Scout24
• Savills
• Tranio
• Immowelt
• Immosuchmaschine

What to check before you buy

Here’s a quick list of important things to check before you buy property in Austria:

• Whether you’re eligible to buy as a non-EU/EEA citizen, or if you need to apply for a permit from the local land commission (Grundverkehrskommission)
• If there any second home (Zweitwohnsitz), short-term let or other property use restrictions in the area
• It’s crucial to verify the legal and registry status of the property before entering into any legal agreement - your solicitor will need to carry out a detailed land registry (Grundbuch) check.

You may also want to have a building survey carried out. While not mandatory, this could help to flag up any structural or other issues which could be expensive to fix.

How to buy property in Austria as a foreigner - a step-by-step guide

Now, let’s run through the typical process of buying property in Austria for foreigners:

1. Get your finances in order

Before you do anything, it’s crucial to get your finances in order. You need to set your budget, get mortgage pre-approval and define exactly what you’re looking for.

You may also want to consider opening an Austrian bank account.

2. Find a property and arrange viewings

Now it’s time to start searching for your dream home. You can use online property portals and/or local estate agents to find properties, then arrange to view any you’re interested in.

3. Make an offer

Once you’ve found your dream home, you’ll need to make a competitive offer or bid in writing.

An important thing to remember is that in Austria, a verbal expression of intent to purchase can be legally binding.² So, make sure you’re committed to buying before expressing interest or submitting an offer.

Before your offer can be considered, you might be asked for evidence of how you’ll finance the purchase. This will mean producing evidence of your mortgage agreement or a letter from your bank or lender.

4. Appoint a solicitor

If your offer is successful, you’ll move onto the legal stages of purchasing the property - and at this point you may want to appoint your own property lawyer.

They will check over and translate all documents and contracts, as well as carrying out due diligence on the transaction.

A good place to start when finding a solicitor is this list of English-speaking property solicitors on the UK Government website.

5. Sign the Kaufanbot pre-sales contract

The next step is for both parties to sign the pre-sales contract. In Austria, this is known as the Kaufanbot and it’s legally binding.

At this stage, you might want to contact your mortgage provider to finalise the financing for your purchase. It’s also a good time to arrange for a building survey or inspection to be carried out.

6. Pay the deposit

After signing the Kaufanbot, you will also need to arrange a transfer to pay your deposit.

This is usually 10% and it’s paid to the notary handling the sale.² They work for both buyer and seller. The notary will ensure your deposit is held in escrow until the purchase is finalised.

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7. Apply for your permit (if needed)

If you need to apply for a permit to buy property in Austria as a non-EU citizen, now is the time to apply.

8. Sign the purchase contract

This is the final sales contract, and should be signed by both parties in the presence of a notary. If you’re not in Austria at the time, you can sign it in front of official witnesses at an Austrian Embassy or Consulate.

At this stage, you’ll also need to arrange the transfer of the remaining balance.

Once both buyer and seller have signed the contract, the notary prepares the title deeds and enters them into the Land Registry.

And then all that’s left is for you to pick up the keys to your new home.

How long does it take to buy a property?

Buying property in Austria takes around 1 to 3 months on average.²

However, it can take longer if mortgage approval doesn’t come through quickly, if there are complex title issues to resolve or there are any other unexpected complications.

Fees and costs of buying property in Austria

Here are the main fees and taxes for buying property in Austria, which you’ll need to factor into your budget:⁴

And, if you’re arranging your property purchase from the UK, you’ll need a safe, reliable and preferably low-cost way to send over fees, deposits and other payments.

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Taxes and fees for owning property

Once you’ve bought your Austrian property and paid all those initial costs, you’ll also have some ongoing fees and taxes to cover as a property owner.

This includes annual property tax, which varies depending on the value of the property and your municipality’s tax rates. But on average, you can expect to pay anywhere between €100 and €600 EUR a year.⁵

If you rent out the property, you may also pay personal income tax as a landlord.

Loans and mortgages for non-residents

Austrian banks and providers do offer mortgage loans to foreigners, but the conditions, requirements and rates may differ compared to how it works for locals.

For example, you might be asked to provide more extensive documentation as part of your application.

The requirements for application will vary between banks, but generally you’ll need valid ID, proof of salary/employment, details of income (preferably in euros) and the details of the property you’re buying.

You might also be asked for proof of a residential address in Austria, which can make it difficult for non-residents to get a mortgage from an Austrian bank.

Lastly but just as importantly, you’ll need a deposit of at least 25% to 35% of the property value.⁶

Risks and pitfalls of buying property in Austria

One of the main things to watch out for when buying property abroad are scams.

To avoid these, it’s strongly recommended to work with qualified and credible professionals such as real estate agents and solicitors.

Ideally, you should also check for a licence and/or membership of a professional body when working with any property experts, brokers or agents.

Like much of Europe, Austria is considered to be a safe place to buy property. But there are some pitfalls and risks to look out for.

Firstly, there’s the language barrier. If you’re not a fluent German speaker, you might find it extra difficult to get to grips with the intricacies and complexities of the Austrian property market.

Here are some other important things to be aware of:

• It’s crucial to check the zoning classification of the land. This is known as Baulandwidmung, and it determines what the land can be used for - whether residential, commercial or other purposes. Changing the classification can be difficult and drawn-out, so it’s best avoided.
• You must check the Land Register (Grundbuch) before buying. This will give details of the legal status of the property, including any restrictions (i.e. right of way) or existing mortgages on the property. As a foreigner, it’s best to have a notary or solicitor check the Grundbuch for you.
• Austria has high fees and taxes for buying property. There are more fees, and there are more of them, than in some other European countries. These can catch you out unless you budget properly for them.
• You might need a permit as a non-EU citizen. As we’ve mentioned earlier in this guide, you might need to apply for permission to purchase property or land as a foreign citizen in certain areas. It’s crucial to check this and get your application in as early as possible.

Moving into your Austrian property

Before you can get the keys to your new home, you’ll have a final few tasks to check off your list.

Insurance

It’s strongly recommended to take out a buildings insurance policy starting from your completion date. In fact, you might find it's a mandatory condition of your mortgage offer.

Setting up utilities

If you know when your completion date will be, it makes sense to get some essentials set up in advance of your move-in date.

A prime example is utilities, such as heating, power and water. Get these sorted as early as you can, and the moving process should be a little smoother.

Energy efficiency renovations

If you’ve bought an older Austrian property, you might want to make some energy efficiency improvements to it. For example, improving the insulation, upgrading the windows or installing a modern, more efficient heating system.

Key takeaways

• Non-EU buyers from the UK may be required to obtain a permit from the local land commission (Grundverkehrskommission), especially if the property is not intended to be their primary residence or is located in restricted ski resort areas like Tyrol or Vorarlberg.
• Bids and verbal expressions of intent to purchase can be legally binding in Austria, so buyers must ensure they are fully committed before submitting an offer or making a written bid (Kaufanbot).
• The upfront costs are high, often totaling around 10% to 15% of the property price, including a 3.5% property transfer tax, a 1.1% land register fee, and notary fees typically between 2% and 5%.
• Non-resident mortgage applications usually require a significant deposit of 25% to 35%, and lenders may ask for proof of a local Austrian address and income preferably denominated in Euros.
• The typical transaction timeline is 1 to 3 months, involving a 10% deposit held in escrow by a notary who acts as a neutral party for both the buyer and the seller.
• Vienna remains the most expensive market with average apartment prices around €311,814, while regions like Burgenland and Styria offer some of the most affordable investment opportunities.

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Sources used:

1. Knight Frank - Buying property in Austria
2. Expatica - Real estate guide: buying a house in Austria
3. Global Property Guide - Austria's Residential Property Market Analysis 2026
4. Vienna Property Investment - Additional fees and hidden costs when buying real estate in Austria
5. Investropa - The full list of property taxes, costs and fees in Austria (2026)
6. Investropa - Foreign ownership in Austria: all the rules explained (2026)

Sources last checked 2-Apr-2026