Buying real estate property in Austria: Why acting now pays off

Do you dream of a home of your own, of cozy evenings and shared moments in a space that truly belongs to you? Now is the perfect time to turn those dreams into reality. Currently, a limited-time opportunity allows you to save up to €17,000 on your real estate purchase in Austria. But take note: this financial advantage comes with an expiration date.

Last chance: save up to 2.3% in fees – valid until June 30, 2026

In March 2024, the Austrian National Council introduced a significant relief package designed to pave the way for aspiring homeowners. The highlight of this initiative? Under certain conditions, the standard fees for registering ownership (1.1%) and mortgage liens (1.2%) are completely waived.

Why timing is everything

This exemption is a limited-time opportunity. To benefit from savings of up to 2.3% on your real estate purchase here in Austria, the application for land registry entry must be submitted by June 30, 2026, at the latest. Missing this time window means facing significantly higher closing costs once the original fees are reinstated in July 2026.

Act now to secure your advantage

Between real estate property searches, finding the right financing solutions, and processing legal applications, the road to closing takes time. To ensure you don’t miss out on this financial bonus, now is the ideal time to finalize your property search and secure your investment.

How much can you actually save with the fee exemption?

If you act now and purchase a real estate property for personal use, you can significantly reduce your closing costs. Here is a breakdown of your potential savings:

• 1.1% of the purchase price for the registration of ownership (capped at €11,000).
• 1.2% of the loan amount for the registration of the mortgage lien (if financed, capped at €6,000).

Key details to keep in mind:

• Threshold: The full fee exemption applies to a tax base (purchase price) of up to €500,000.
• Joint Purchase Advantage: If two people purchase a property together, the tax-free allowance for the registration of ownership doubles to €1,000,000.
   

Eligibility Checklist: Do you qualify?

To benefit from the fee waiver, the following criteria must be met:

• Primary residence: The property must become your primary place of residence. This is verified by officially registering your new address and relinquishing your previous place of residence.
• 5-year commitment: You are required to use the property as your primary residence for a minimum of 5 consecutive years.
• Earmarked financing: The loan must be used exclusively for the purchase, construction, or renovation of your primary home.

Limitations of the fee exemption
 

• Retroactive payment: Should you sell the property or relinquish it as your primary residence within the first five years, the waived fees may be charged retroactively.
• Luxury properties: The fee exemption does not apply to properties with a purchase price exceeding €2 million.
   

Conclusion: Why waiting could be a costly mistake

If you miss the June 30, 2026 deadline for your land registry application, you will be required to pay the full registration fees starting in July 2026. Given the current market trends, the message is clear: hesitation carries a heavy price tag, specifically, up to €17,000 in additional costs.