Moving Into a New Home in Austria: Phone, Internet, Cable and Parking

When you move home in Austria, it is easy to overlook service providers and vehicle paperwork. Transferring phone, internet and cable services can take time, while a parking permit may need to be arranged in advance.

At a glance

• Transferring or cancelling a landline and internet service can take time, and there is usually a notice period or minimum contract term.
• You can transfer a cable television subscription if the provider’s network is available at the new address, or cancel it at the end of a month.
• The ORF contribution (ORF-Beitrag) is payable per main residence. For private individuals, it is 15,30 euros per month, plus a provincial charge in some provinces.
• Return your old parking permit (Parkerlaubnis) on time and check the requirements for the new address in advance.
• If the new address requires a new registration number and you use a digital vignette, ASFINAG charges an 18-euro processing fee.

Landline telephone: transfer or new connection?

When moving, you must arrange the cancellation or transfer of your landline telephone (Festnetztelefon), or request a new line at the new address. The exact process depends on the network provider. Some providers offer a dedicated moving service and a moving credit (Umzugsgutschrift).

Keep the following points in mind:

• Disconnecting and reconnecting a line can take a longer period of time.
• There is usually a notice period (Kündigungsfrist) or minimum contract term (Mindestvertragsdauer).
• A transfer (Ummeldung) is generally cheaper.

Taking over an existing telephone line can be legally riskier than ordering a new connection. With a takeover, the new customer enters into the previous customer’s contract and may also become liable for that customer’s debts.

If your line is with Telekom Austria but you make calls through another private landline provider, ask whether you must also cancel separately with the other provider in addition to cancelling with Telekom Austria.

Mobile phones

For a mobile phone, you generally only need to notify your mobile provider of your new address.

Internet: what happens to the old subscription?

If your internet service is with the same provider as your landline telephone, the internet service will generally move with the transferred line.

With a private internet provider, ask about the exact procedure. Often, an informal letter or fax is sufficient. It should include:

• the new address,
• your customer number (Kundennummer),
• the new telephone number.

Before cancelling your internet service, ask the provider about the applicable notice period.

Cable television: transfer or cancel?

For a cable connection (Kabelanschluss), you have two options:

1. Transfer it to the new address if the provider’s cable network is available there.
2. Cancel it, which is possible only at the end of a month, either in writing or in person at the cable company.

You can request a transfer by telephone, in writing, in person or by fax. The provider will ask for the following information:

• Customer number (Kundennummer)
• Old address (Alte Adresse)
• New address (Neue Adresse)
• Current telephone number (Aktuelle Telefonnummer)

ORF contribution: who pays and how much?

Since January 1, the ORF contribution (ORF-Beitrag, commonly called Haushaltsabgabe) has replaced the former GIS fee. It is collected by ORF-Beitrags Service GmbH (OBS). The contribution is payable regardless of whether you have or use a television or radio.

The contribution applies to every address where at least one adult private individual is registered with a main residence (Hauptwohnsitz) in the Central Residents’ Register (ZMR). Addresses registered as secondary residences (Nebenwohnsitz) have not been subject to the contribution since 2024. This is another reason why registering your address with a residence registration form (Meldezettel) is important.

• Private individual: 15,30 euros per month throughout Austria
• Provincial charge: varies by province; some provinces do not charge one
• New registration since 2024: paid once a year by payment slip
• Direct debit (SEPA-Lastschrift): can be divided into 2 or 6 instalments per year

Households received the 2026 annual payment notices between January and March 2026. With direct debit, no notice is sent by post.

When you move, you must notify OBS of the change to your main residence and, for example, a change of name. The OBS hotline is 050 200 800, available Monday to Friday from 7:00 to 19:00, except on public holidays.

Parking permits at the new address

If you had a parking permit (Parkerlaubnis) at your previous address, return it in good time. Some Austrian cities require a parking permit for your vehicle, so check the requirements at your new address before moving. In some places, you can apply using an online form.

You can find the new municipality’s website through the authority search on oesterreich.gv.at. The link to the municipal office or magistrate’s website is listed with the relevant authority details.

Car registration: do you need a new number plate?

• A different authority is responsible at the new address: deregister the car and register it again at the insurance registration office in the district of your new main residence.
• The same authority, but a different authority code on the number plate: report the change and obtain a new number plate and new registration certificate. For example, this applies between Wiener Neustadt (WN) and St. Pölten (P), even though both are under the Lower Austrian provincial police authority.
• The same authority and the same code: no action is required; the details are updated automatically through the address registration.
• Moving within Vienna: you do not need to deregister and re-register the car.

If you receive a new number plate and use a digital vignette (Digitale Vignette), notify ASFINAG as well. The fee for re-registering it is 18 euros.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to pay the ORF contribution if I do not own a television?

Yes, if you are registered at the address as your main residence. The contribution is independent of the devices you own.

When can I cancel cable television?

You can cancel it at the end of a month, in writing or in person at the cable company.

Is it advisable to take over the previous resident’s telephone line?

It can be legally riskier because the new customer may be liable for the previous customer’s debts.

Do I need a new number plate when moving within Vienna?

No. When moving within Vienna, you do not need to deregister and re-register the car.

Practical steps before and after moving

1. Check the notice periods and minimum contract terms for your landline, internet and cable services.
2. Ask each provider whether the service can be transferred to the new address and whether a moving credit (Umzugsgutschrift) is available.
3. Prepare your customer number, old address, new address and current telephone number for cable or internet requests.
4. Notify OBS of the change to your main residence and any relevant change of name.
5. Return the old parking permit and check whether you need to apply for one at the new address.
6. Check whether the move changes the responsible vehicle authority or the authority code on your number plate.
7. If you receive a new number plate and use a digital vignette, notify ASFINAG and pay the 18-euro re-registration fee.

This information is based on sources available online and does not constitute professional advice. Use it at your own responsibility and seek advice from a suitable professional if necessary.

Source: oesterreich.gv.at