Municipal and Cooperative Housing in Austria: Eligibility, Costs and Applications
Alongside private rentals, Austria has two well-known housing options that can often be more affordable: municipal housing provided by cities and municipalities, and housing offered by non-profit building associations. Both require applicants to meet specific conditions, and waiting times are common.
What is the difference between municipal and cooperative housing?
Municipal housing (Gemeindewohnung) is provided and rented out by a city or municipality. Many municipalities offer particularly affordable homes, but the application requirements vary considerably from one location to another.
Cooperative housing (Genossenschaftswohnung) is built by a non-profit building association (gemeinnützige Bauvereinigung) and made available to its members. You therefore generally have to become a member of the cooperative. Non-profit companies also build and rent out homes; these are covered by the Wohnungsgemeinnützigkeitsgesetz.
Who can apply for municipal housing?
Most municipalities require applicants to meet conditions such as:
- a specified minimum age,
- the required citizenship or residence status,
- a main residence (Hauptwohnsitz) in the municipality for a specified period,
- a combined net income of the people moving in that does not exceed a specified annual upper limit.
Depending on the rules, eligible groups commonly include:
- Austrian citizens,
- EU citizens,
- EEA citizens,
- Swiss citizens,
- people with a “Long-term Resident EU” (Daueraufenthalt EU) residence permit,
- refugees recognised under the Geneva Convention.
Each municipality sets its own minimum period for the main residence. In Vienna, at least two years are required. In some municipalities, including Vienna, applications can already be made from a person’s 17th birthday.
Since October 2002, two people living together, such as partners, can also register jointly on the waiting list.
Who can rent cooperative housing?
The conditions for cooperative homes built with housing subsidies (wohnbaugefördert) vary between Austria’s federal provinces. They may include the following:
- Citizenship or status: Austrian, EU or EEA citizens, non-EU citizens with a residence permit, or refugees recognised under the Geneva Convention.
- Age: 18 years; applications can already be made at 17.
- Income: the combined net income of the people moving in must fall between a lower and an upper limit.
- Use: the home must not be used as a second residence (Zweitwohnsitz).
An important difference is that cooperative housing may have not only an upper income limit but also a lower income limit.
How much does cooperative housing cost?
There are two main cost items:
- One-off financing contribution (Finanzierungsbeitrag): a contribution towards land and/or construction costs (Grund- und Baukostenbeitrag). It helps reduce the monthly rent. The amount depends on the age, location and size of the home.
- Monthly charge (Entgelt, Mietzins).
The financing contribution is repaid when the tenancy ends, but reduced by annual depreciation of 1%.
In Vienna, subject to certain conditions, you may be able to apply for a loan replacing personal funds (Eigenmittelersatzdarlehen) to finance the contribution. Information about support available in the other federal provinces is also available.
How and where can you apply?
Municipal housing: in many places, the application (Antrag auf Zuweisung einer Gemeindewohnung) can also be submitted online. The Stadt- oder Gemeindeamt responsible for your place of residence can provide precise information about income limits.
Cooperative housing: you usually apply for a home that is still being built, so you should expect a waiting period. Vacant homes in older buildings may also be available, but these are rare. Available properties are offered by non-profit building associations.
Which documents are needed for cooperative housing?
Typical documents include:
- proof of citizenship or an EU/EEA passport, or proof of refugee status,
- birth certificate,
- passport,
- social insurance card (e-card),
- recent proof of income,
- marriage certificate, if you are married.
Additional documents may also be requested.
Practical steps before applying
- Check the rules of the relevant city, municipality or federal province, because eligibility conditions differ.
- Confirm that your main residence, age, citizenship or residence status and income meet the applicable requirements.
- Contact the Stadt- oder Gemeindeamt for a municipal housing application and current income limits.
- Contact non-profit building associations to ask about available or planned cooperative homes and waiting times.
- Prepare your identification, residence, income and family-status documents, including your e-card.
- Before signing, check the monthly Entgelt or Mietzins, the Finanzierungsbeitrag and the repayment calculation with annual 1% depreciation.
This article is based on information available online and does not constitute advice. Use is at your own responsibility. For professional advice, contact a lawyer, legal professional or another relevant specialist.
Source: oesterreich.gv.at