Real estate in Carinthia

Find your property in Carinthia

Austria's southernmost province is famous for its lakes. Real estate in Carinthia couldn't be more diverse - from affordable farms to exclusive villas in the first row to the lake, everything is represented here. Urban apartments, classic detached houses or even farms in secluded locations - there is a wide range of properties to discover in the region.

Living in Carinthia: Overview

The federal state is the southernmost region in Austria and is divided into eight districts:

• Klagenfurt-Land
• Villach-Land
• Spittal/Drau
• Hermagor
• Feldkirchen
• St. Veit/Glan
• Wolfsberg
• Völkermarkt

Within these districts there are a total of over 130 municipalities. The provincial capital of Klagenfurt and the city of Villach are statutory towns.

Carinthia is a very diverse province, famous for its lakes. There are flatter regions such as the Klagenfurt basin, but also high alpine areas. These regional differences mean that the region has a very wide range of leisure activities on offer. Skiing in winter, enjoying the lake in summer, shopping in Klagenfurt or Villach - everything is possible. And if you live here but fancy a change of scenery, simply drive a few hours further south. Thanks to its proximity to Italy, the sea is just a few hours away. A weekend trip to the beach is therefore a must for Carinthians and is even possible spontaneously. All of this contributes to the high quality of life.

The real estate market in Carinthia

While multi-storey residential buildings dominate in Carinthia's cities, especially Klagenfurt and Villach, the outskirts and rural areas are characterized by typical detached houses. Older farmhouses can also often be seen, which usually offer a lot of usable space - also due to spacious outbuildings - but are expensive to renovate.

Special properties are those that are located directly on the lake or have a view of the lake. Well-preserved alpine huts and generally properties in secluded locations with lots of grassland and woodland also have a special charm.

The real estate market therefore varies greatly from region to region. The local infrastructure, location and proximity to the city determine how sought-after certain properties are. In general, the closer to the city center or a lake, the faster properties are sold.

Second homes in Carinthia

Second homes in Carinthia, whether on the ski slopes or near a lake, are in high demand. Time and again there are legal disputes and citizens' initiatives against new construction projects that are supposedly used as second homes.

In any case, the running costs must be taken into account. This is because a monthly tax has to be paid for a second home in Carinthia. This depends on the size and location of the property. When buying a vacation property, the dedication must be checked carefully in advance. This is because the property can only actually be used as a vacation home if a secondary residence is permitted.

Affordable housing

In order to create more affordable living space in Carinthia, there are housing subsidies (for ownership) and housing assistance (for rental properties). Municipal and cooperative housing is also available. However, as the demand for affordable properties is increasing significantly, an offensive to this effect was decided in mid-2024. In addition to regular social housing, a further 900 apartments and terraced houses will be built.

If you are interested in a subsidized property, please be sure to observe the subsidy guidelines. There are precise regulations on eligibility, for example upper salary limits depending on how many people live in the household.

Real estate prices in Carinthia

Real estate prices vary greatly from region to region. In the larger cities, the price trend is fairly constant. However, in the absolute luxury segment, directly on the lake or with a view of the lake, sometimes unbelievable sums are paid. These values affect statistics on real estate prices.

Purchase prices in Carinthia

The average purchase price for a house in Carinthia is around 4,000 euros per square meter. However, there are large regional differences. Older, second-hand properties are available in rural areas in the district of St. Veit an der Glan, for example, from around 1,500 euros per square meter. If you want to buy a second-hand city apartment in Villach or Klagenfurt, you can expect to pay around 2,500 to 3,500 euros per square meter.

In direct lakeside locations, on the other hand, prices per square meter of more than 20,000 euros are common. Even an empty building plot, but directly on the lake, is often at least 3,000 - 5,000 euros per square meter. Plots that are not directly on the lake but have a view of the lake are offered from around 500 euros per square meter.

Rental prices in Carinthia

There are also major regional differences in rents. Most properties in Klagenfurt and Villach are rented for around 9 to 12 euros per square meter per month. In exclusive locations, prices are twice as high, for example for high-quality new builds with lake views. Inexpensive properties for rent in Carinthia can also be found in rural areas. Here, apartments are offered for as little as 7-8 euros per square meter.

Find a property in Carinthia

Finding a property in Carinthia is a project that can take many different forms. In the district capitals and in the provincial capital, there are definitely affordable apartments. Bargains can also be found in rural areas. However, it should be noted that the infrastructure in some municipalities leaves a lot to be desired. Long distances and few local suppliers explain the lower prices in some cases.

Properties in locations with a view of the lake or even access to the lake are exceptionally expensive. Properties directly on the lake often do not come onto the official market, but can be sold directly to agents' reserve customers.

If you are simply looking for an affordable apartment or want to buy a detached house in Carinthia, you often have to budget 3.6 percent of the purchase price for the brokerage. This is the amount that estate agents usually charge. If you want to save yourself this sum, which usually amounts to thousands, sometimes even tens of thousands of euros, if possible, look for a property that is sold without commission. All properties advertised with us are commission-free!