Buying, selling, leasing and developing property, including advice for non-EU citizens and foreign investors.
Filter by specialisation
Leading Austrian law firm with strong international practice. Large team, corporate and commercial focus.
Major international law firm with Vienna headquarters. Extensive corporate and commercial expertise.
Global magic circle firm with strong Vienna office. Full-service corporate practice.
Global law firm with Vienna office. International corporate and commercial focus.
Global firm with Vienna presence. Covers major practice areas for corporate clients.
Large European law firm with Vienna office. Strong in corporate and commercial matters.
Boutique Austrian law firm with focus on corporate and real estate matters.
Well-established Austrian firm with strong corporate practice and international experience.
Respected Austrian law firm focusing on corporate, real estate, and family matters.
Mid-sized Vienna firm with expertise in corporate, employment, and IP law.
Specialist firm with focus on employment law and corporate matters.
Austrian boutique firm specializing in real estate and corporate transactions.
Established Vienna law firm with broad corporate and commercial practice.
Full-service Vienna firm with strong practice in corporate and real estate law.
International firm with Vienna office, strong in IP and corporate matters.
Leading law firm in Graz with experience serving English-speaking expatriates.
Salzburg-based firm with experience in expat legal matters and corporate law.
Linz-based firm with corporate and real estate expertise.
Innsbruck firm with experience in alpine real estate and corporate matters.
Klagenfurt firm serving expatriates and international business clients.
Burgenland-based firm with focus on corporate and real estate law.
Boutique real estate law firm serving international clients in Vienna.
Mid-size firm specializing in corporate transactions and employment law.
Integrated tax and legal services for international businesses.
Innsbruck-based firm with expertise in alpine property and tourism law.
Salzburg firm focused on business law and expatriate services.
Graz-based firm with corporate and real estate expertise.
Linz firm serving business clients and expatriates.
Specialized firm for expatriate legal needs including visa, residence, and relocation.
Leading Austrian law firm with Central Europe network
Major Austrian law firm with international practice
Global law firm with strong Vienna presence
International firm with Austrian presence
Big Four firm with comprehensive legal services
Austrian law firm with international reach
Real estate and construction specialist
Vorarlberg firm with ski resort experience
Most European countries allow foreigners to purchase property, though some have restrictions for non-EU nationals. A real estate lawyer can advise on your specific situation.
Title searches, planning permission checks, mortgage encumbrance searches, and review of the sale contract. Always use an independent lawyer, not the seller's lawyer.
Browse our verified directory of law firms across Austria's major cities. All listed firms offer English-language legal services to expats and foreign nationals.
Find My Lawyer in 60 SecondsAustrian real estate transactions are governed by the Allgemeines Buergerliches Gesetzbuch (ABGB) (General Civil Code, especially paragraphs 431-446 on land register), the Grunderwerbsteuergesetz (GrEStG) 1987 for transfer tax, and the Maklergesetz (MaklerG) for agent commissions. Every property transfer must be entered in the Grundbuch (Land Register) to be effective against third parties; Austrian law is a registration system (ABGB 431).
| Consideration | Rate | Legal Basis | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to EUR 250,000 | 0.5% | GrEStG 7 Abs 1 Z 3 (close family) | Intra-family transfers use assessed Grundstueckswert; market deals use 3.5% flat |
| EUR 250,001 - EUR 400,000 | 2.0% | GrEStG 7 Abs 1 Z 3 | Tiered rate for intra-family; for arms-length: 3.5% on full consideration |
| Above EUR 400,000 | 3.5% | GrEStG 7 Abs 1 Z 1 | Standard rate; applies to full purchase price for arms-length transactions |
| Inheritance / gift (non-family) | 3.5% | GrEStG 7 Abs 1 Z 2 | Based on assessed Grundstueckswert |
The Grundbucheintragungsgebuehr is 1.1% of the purchase price for ownership registration (Eigentumsrecht) plus 1.2% for mortgage registration (Pfandrecht) on the mortgage amount - governed by the Gerichtsgebuehrengesetz (GGG). On a EUR 400,000 apartment: ownership fee = EUR 4,400; mortgage fee on EUR 300,000 loan = EUR 3,600.
Austrian Rechtsanwaelte and Notare charge under the RATG (Rechtsanwaltstarifgesetz) and Notariatstarifgesetz. For a standard residential purchase, total legal/notary fees typically run 1-2% of purchase price. The Notariatsordnung requires notarial certification for certain transfers. Maklergebuehr (agent commission): up to 3% + 20% VAT of purchase price (MaklerG 6).
Gains from property sales are subject to ImmoESt at 30% (EStG 30 ff). Key exemptions: Hauptwohnsitzbefreiung - main residence occupied for at least 5 consecutive years in the preceding 10 years before sale (EStG 30 Abs 2 Z 1); Herstellerbefreiung - self-built property (EStG 30 Abs 2 Z 2).
Beatrice, a French national, purchased a secondary market Vienna apartment for EUR 500,000. GrESt: EUR 500,000 x 3.5% = EUR 17,500. Land Register (ownership): EUR 500,000 x 1.1% = EUR 5,500. Land Register (mortgage on EUR 350,000 loan): EUR 350,000 x 1.2% = EUR 4,200. Notary/legal fees (1.5%): EUR 7,500. Maklergebuehr (3% + VAT, buyer share): EUR 9,000. Total transaction costs: approximately EUR 43,700 (8.7% of purchase price). As an EU national, Beatrice faces no restrictions on property acquisition in Austria.
