Vienna is a city that attracts people from all over the world - for work, studies, quality of life, and often because of the desire to escape from the chaos of the Balkan systems. If you come from Serbia and plan to live, study, rent or even buy an apartment in Vienna, one thing is certain - you will be overwhelmed with information, ads and advice from all sides. But what do you really need? Specific information, without foiling. Where to look for an apartment, how do you know you haven't been scammed, what are the real prices and what are the rules of the game?
This guide is written just for you - someone who wants to know what awaits them before packing their bags.
Is it better to rent or buy an apartment in Vienna?
It all depends on your situation. If you come to study, as a temporary worker or to test whether you like Vienna at all - publishing is a logical choice. It is cheaper, more flexible and you are not tied to one location.
If you have been living in Austria for a long time, have a stable income and think long-term, buying can be profitable. Vienna's real estate market is stable, prices are rising, and many people buy apartments as an investment and rent them out.
In short:
- Renting is the best for a start and a temporary stay.
- Buying is a long-term option - but not simple, especially for non-residents from Serbia.
- Some people from Serbia buy apartments in Vienna as a form of investing in "safe" EU property.
The most popular parts of Vienna for living and their prices
Vienna is divided into 23 bezi(r)ka (municipalities). They are not all the same - some are elite and expensive, some are full of students, some are "Balkan" to the bone. Here is an overview of the most sought-after parts of Vienna:
| Bezirk | Features | Rent (€/m²) | Purchase (€/m²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Innere Stadt | City center, luxury, historical core | 18.0 | 10,000 |
| 2. Leopoldstadt | Near Danube, family quarter | 13.0 | 6,000 |
| 3. Landstraße | Diplomatic districts, good connectivity | 14.0 | 6,000 |
| 4. Wieden | Close to the center, popular with young people | 13.5 | 6,200 |
| 5. Margareten | Urban, good for students and young couples | 13.0 | 5,800 |
| 6. Mariahilf | Famous shopping street, trendy district | 14.0 | 6,300 |
| 7. Neubau | Hipster, galleries, alternative scene | 14.5 | 6,500 |
| 8. Josefstadt | Quiet but close to the center, more expensive | 15.0 | 7,000 |
| 9. Alsergrund | Hospitals, universities, family | 14.0 | 6,500 |
| 10. Favoriten | Affordable, mixed population | 11.0 | 4,000 |
| 11. Simmering | Industrial, bargain prices | 10.5 | 3,900 |
| 12. Meidling | Quiet, family friendly | 11.5 | 4,200 |
| 13. Hietzing | Green part, near Schönbrunn | 13.0 | 6,000 |
| 14. Penzing | Green, peaceful, family | 11.0 | 4,200 |
| 15. Rudolfsheim-Fünfhaus | Cultural mix, affordable | 12.0 | 4,500 |
| 16. Ottakring | Diversity, Balkan Community | 11.5 | 4,200 |
| 17. Hernals | Residential, hills, quiet | 11.5 | 4,300 |
| 18. Währing | Family, more middle class | 13.0 | 5,500 |
| 19. Döbling | Luxury villas, vineyards | 15.0 | 8,000 |
| 20. Brigittenau | Urban, accessible | 11.5 | 4,200 |
| 21. Floridsdorf | New development, available | 11.0 | 4,100 |
| 22. Donaustadt | Large space, families, new neighborhoods | 11.5 | 4,300 |
| 23. Liesing | Suburb, quiet, affordable | 11.0 | 4,100 |
Where to look for an apartment in Vienna - reliable sites and resources
Think of Vienna as a maze with different rules than ours. If you don't know where to look, you'll end up like many people - you'll click for days and get annoyed because you don't know if someone is hooking you up on an ad.
Here's where you should really be looking for an apartment:
- Willhaben.at - The largest Austrian classifieds site. Everything is there - from furniture to apartments. But be careful, search quickly, because good apartments disappear in half a day.
- ImmobilienScout24.at - More professional ads, more brokerage firms, but also a better chance of not being scammed.
- Wiener Wohnen - This is the largest urban landlord in Europe. The city of Vienna manages more than 220,000 apartments, which means that almost every fourth resident of Vienna lives in an apartment rented from the city. The prices are low, but the procedure is not simple, you have to wait in line, you need proof of residence and income. And yes, it's not for tourists or short-term renters.
- Genossenschaften (housing cooperatives) – These cooperatives offer apartments with membership and certain payments. They are cheaper than the market, but entry requires capital and patience.
- Facebook groups and forums - Only if you are tired of trusting people you have never met. There is also a group "Serbs in Vienna - apartments and ads" - useful, but without guarantees.
Note: If the ad says "Provisionsfrei" - it means no agency commissions. If it says “Caution 3 BMM”, it is a deposit in the amount of three months' rent. It's not a scam, just the Austrian reality.
What to look out for when renting or buying an apartment
People from Serbia often make the same mistake - they only look at the price of the monthly rent, and forget that the rent is not everything. Here are the most important things you need to know:
1. Commission (agency commission)
- If the apartment is provided by an agency, you will also pay it. That can be 1 to 2 rents plus VAT, once.
- Apartments without commission are the most sought after. Recognize them by the word “provisionsfrei” in the ads.
2. Deposit (deposit)
- Standard is 3 rents, although some ask for 6. You get it back when you move out, but only if you have not caused any damage.
- You have to have money immediately on hand, it is not negotiable.
3. Betriebskosten (building costs)
- Not included in the basic rent. Always check what is included: water, elevator, cleaning, garbage...
- Usually additional €100-250 per month, depending on the building.
4. Contract and Termination
- The minimum duration of the lease is often 1 year. Termination without penalty is only possible after that period, with a notice period of 3 months.
- If you move earlier, you have to find a replacement (Nachmieter), otherwise you pay empty months.
5. Fraud = if the price is "too good"
If you see a luxury apartment in the 1st bezirk for €500, and the description is in bad English and they ask you to pay money in advance without seeing the apartment - run away from it.
how does a typical apartment in Vienna?
If you expect apartments like ours - with a bar, air conditioning and a terrace with a view of the Danube - you might be surprised. Here is what you can really expect when looking for an apartment in Vienna:
1. Square footage and layout
- Most apartments have high ceilings (3m and more) and a classic layout: hallway, separate kitchen, large room.
- Apartments are often unfurnished, and when I say unfurnished - it means no kitchen, no wardrobe, sometimes no lighting. If it has a kitchen, it says: Einbauküche.
- Studios are from 25 to 35m², one-room from 40 to 55m², two-rooms go from 60 to 80m².
2. Heating
- The most common is the so-called Gasetagenheizung – gas boiler in the apartment that heats water and radiators. You control the cost, but you have to take care of service and security.
- Newer apartments have central heating, and some even floor.
3. Elevator, basement, bike room
- Elevator is not standard in all buildings. If your apartment is on the 3rd floor without an elevator - prepare your feet.
- Almost all apartments have a basement room (Keller) and a place for bicycles (Fahrradraum).
- Terrace? A rarity. A balcony? Appear. Loggia? You ask, then you hope.
What are the monthly housing costs in Vienna?
People often see that an apartment is €600 and think: "Great, I can pay that." And then utilities, deposits, taxes, insurance... and it doesn't sound so great anymore.
Here real monthly cost calculations:
| Item | Average cost (€) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (Miete) | 600–1,000 | depends on size and square footage |
| Building costs (Betriebskosten) | 100–250 | water, garbage, cleaning, elevator |
| Heating and hot water | 60–120 | depends on the type of heating |
| Electricity | 30–60 | average for a one-room apartment |
| Internet | 30–40 | A1, Magenta or Drei |
| TV and radio tax (GIS) | 20 | paid monthly if you have a TV/radio |
| Home insurance (optional, but smart) | 10-20 | covered damage, theft, etc. |
Total: between €850 and €1,500 per month, depending on location, type of heating and habits.
How to register your stay in Vienna and what documentation you need
There is no such thing as "just stopping by Vienna" if you plan to live and rent an apartment. Austrians love order, and if you don't respect it - the punishment comes faster than you thought.
1. Meldzettel (address registration)
Without this paper – no internet, no bank account, nothing. This is a residency application and you must submit it within 3 days of moving in.
You need:
- passport
- lease contract (Mietvertrag)
- completed form (available online or in the municipality)
- signature of the apartment owner
It is easy to fill out, but you often need to schedule an appointment in MA 35 (Magistrate).
2. Residence permit (if you are a citizen of Serbia)
If you are not an EU citizen and you plan to live longer than 90 days - you need a residence permit (Aufenthaltsbewilligung).
Most common options:
- Student
- Worker with a contract
- Family Reunification
They also check your income, health insurance, housing, and look for proof that you have a place to live and something to support yourself.
3. Registration of TV and radio (GIS)
If you have a reception device in your apartment (TV, radio, even a laptop with a TV tuner) - you have to pay for GIS. Unreported viewership = penalty. If you don't use it - you can log out, but you need to prove that you don't use the device.
4. Opening a bank account
No address in Vienna - no account. When you get Meldzettel, you can go to Sparkasse, Erste Bank, BAWAG or other banks. You also need a passport.
What are your rights and obligations as a tenant or owner
Austria is a legal state. This means that, when you sign the contract - the rules are followed. Not like with us "you can move out whenever you want". You can, but pay.
1. Minimum duration of the lease
Most often it is 3 years - with the option of termination after 1 year, with a notice period of 3 months. If you sign for 5 or 10 years - you respect that, unless otherwise stated.
2. Rent increase
The owner cannot raise your rent whenever he wants. There are rules, inflation indices and national borders. If you settle on a fixed price - it must not change the price until the deadline.
3. Repairs and maintenance
- You pay for small repairs (light bulbs, taps).
- Major faults (heating, installations) are solved and paid for by the owner.
- If he does not maintain the apartment - you have the right to complain to Arbeiterkammer or even to court.
4. Moving out and deposit
When you move out - the apartment must be in the condition in which you took it over. If there is damage - part or all of the deposit can be kept from you. Everything is written in the handover of the apartment (Übergabeprotokoll).
5. What if the owner doesn't play by the rules?
Austria has tenant protection. You can contact the Mietervereinigung, Arbeiterkammer, and even file a lawsuit. Have everything documented - messages, pictures, contract.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the average rent for a one-room apartment in Vienna?
On average between €700 and €1,000 per month, including building costs, excluding utilities. Prices vary by district - the 10th district is significantly cheaper than the center.
Can I rent an apartment in Vienna without an agency?
Yes. At Willhaben and Wiener Wohnen you can find apartments without provisions (provisionsfrei). Also in Facebook groups, but with more caution.
How many apartments does the city of Vienna rent out?
The city of Vienna manages over 220,000 apartments, making it the largest public landlord. in Europe. More at wien.gv.at.
Can I as a citizen of Serbia buy an apartment in Vienna?
You can, but you have to go through additional administrative steps, including a permit to buy real estate as a foreigner (Grundverkehrsgenehmigung). It is best to hire a notary or a lawyer who knows the procedures for non-residents.
What do I need to apply for residence in Vienna?
- Meldezettel - a form you sign together with the landlord
- Rental agreement
- Passport
All information: Meldezettel PDF and instructions
How do I calculate all monthly housing costs?
Add:
- Rent
- Betriebskosten
- Electricity and heating
- Internet
- GIS (TV and radio tax)
Total: €850-€1,500 per month, depending on the apartment and location.
Is there government assistance for low-income tenants?
Yes. Vienna offers housing subsidies (Wohnbeihilfe), but you have to have a registered residence and a low income. More information: Wohnbeihilfe Vienna
useful links for apartment search and registration
- Willhaben.at - Austria's largest classifieds
- ImmobilienScout24 - Apartments, houses, business premises
- Wiener Wohnen - city apartments
- Meldezettel - registration of residence (PDF)
- MA35 - Immigration and residence
- GIS - TV and radio tax
- Wohnbeihilfe – Subsidies for housing
- Mietervereinigung Wien – Protection of tenants' rights