Vienna at a Glance

Accommodation in Vienna

Old buildings like this one are a common sight in Vienna.

Moving to Vienna is a big step – and a wise one, too. As Austria’s capital offers various cultural and economic incentives for expats, moving to Vienna has long been a popular choice. We’ll provide you with important facts on neighborhoods, visa, housing and more before you start moving to Vienna.

Housing Prices

As is the case for most booming cities in Europe, moving to Vienna will often come at a high price. Paying between 15€ and 22€ per m² for apartments in a popular residential area near the city center is not unheard of. Thus, you might want to consider moving to Vienna’s less prestigious, but equally attractive boroughs outside the center.

Colorful and vibrant districts such as Ottakring, popular with working-class residents and home to denizens of various ethnicities, offer a great glimpse into the cultural diversity of everyday life in Vienna. If you would like to escape the busy hustle and bustle of a large city, you might want to consider moving to Vienna’s suburbs. Most of them are less than 40 minutes away from the city center.

Finding Accommodation

Housing offers can be found in the local newspapers, such as Der Standard or Der Kurier. They often provide extra pages for real-estate listings on the weekend. As moving to Vienna has considerably gained in popularity in the past few years, up-to-date ads found in Internet portals such as Immodirekt are an equally important source.

In any case, you will have to consider the costs for the security deposit and the commission for the real estate agent, although some houses and apartments are offered without commission, directly from the owner.

Tips for Tenants

Right after your move to Vienna, you will find that tenants’ rights are held in very high regard. There are several associations you can consult should any problems arise, or if any legal matter needs to be clarified.

The Wiener Schlichtungsstelle or Arbitration Board for Legal Housing Matters, with 10 offices throughout the city, should be your first contact point for any questions concerning your rights as a tenant. Another highly useful institution is the Austrian Tenants’ Association. For a comprehensive list of locations and business hours, please see the pages of the Vienna Expat Center.

Buying Real Estate

If you are moving to Vienna with the intent to stay for a longer period of time (e.g. 10 years and more), you might want to consider buying a house or apartment. Real estate in the prestigious districts has accumulated value for many years, and this trend could very well continue for years to come. Letting your place to other expats might be a nice source of additional income after your stay in the city. Please keep in mind that the usual commission of the realtor is 3% of the purchase price.

Purchasing real estate involves quite a bit of red tape. The Vienna City Administration offers an overview of the different steps involved and documents required. The service comes at a small fee, but this should not worry prospective homeowners.