Buying land in Austria

Find your commission-free plot of land in Austria

There are many reasons to buy a plot of land in Austria. Perhaps you want to build a house, buy a plot as an investment or purchase a cheap leisure plot. The possibilities are many and varied and the supply varies greatly depending on the region.

Buying a plot of land in Austria: What you need to look out for

Before you buy a plot of land in Austria, you need to familiarize yourself with some legal aspects. We outline the most important points below.

Buying building land

If you do not have Austrian citizenship, land transactions must be registered and approved. This is usually only a formality, but can affect the timing of the purchase.

In the case of building land, you need to take a close look in advance at what options are available for building on the plot. To be on the safe side, check the building possibilities with the responsible building authority, i.e. the local municipality. Not only the construction method (closed, etc.) is regulated, but also the maximum building height and the proportion of the area that may be built on. In some regions, there are even more far-reaching regulations that also affect the architectural style. In such cases, even details such as the color of the roof tiles cannot be decided by the owner.

Check building constraints

In many municipalities, there are not only requirements that define what may not be built, but also regulations that stipulate that building must take place. Many building plots are subject to a so-called "building obligation". This means that construction must be started or even completed within a defined period of time. It is therefore essential to clarify in advance whether there is such a requirement and how it fits in with your personal plans.

Buying grassland and farmland

The purchase of grassland is relatively straightforward as long as it is not agricultural land. On grassland, you can plant fruit trees, set up sun loungers and harvest vegetables, for example. However, it is more difficult to purchase agricultural land, such as farmland or woodland. There may be restrictions on these designations, meaning that these plots may only be purchased by farmers. At the same time, there are sometimes exceptions if only small areas are involved.

Development is not permitted on grassland and farmland. In most cases, you are not even allowed to erect a garden shed. Here too, it is best to ask the local authority for the exact regulations.

Buying land as an investment

Buying a plot of land as an investment is only possible to a limited extent, as most building plots actually have to be built on quickly due to the widespread obligation to build when purchasing land. Areas that are not currently building land can be purchased in the hope that they will be rezoned. However, many municipalities have 10-year plans and defined boundaries, outside of which rezoning is completely impossible. This is why land is not widely available as an investment in Austria.

How much does it cost to buy a plot of land in Austria?

The cost of a plot of land in Austria varies greatly. Grassland is sometimes sold for as little as 2-3 euros per square meter, vineyards, for example, often range between 7 and 20 euros per square meter and prices for building land are between 15 euros per square meter (e.g. in the border region with the Czech Republic) and well over 1,000 euros per square meter in Vienna, Salzburg, Kitzbühel or other sought-after locations. A general price classification is not possible, as there can be enormous regional differences.

Tip: Buy a commission-free plot of land

Many properties in Austria are offered by real estate agents. As their commission usually amounts to a considerable sum, private offers are particularly sought after. However, buying a plot of land from a private seller also involves a bit of luck, as such offers on the market are exceptions. But: On our real estate portal, you will only find plots of land that are sold without commission. Start your search now and find the ideal plot for your requirements.