Buying an apartment in Vienna: prices, districts and tips

Prices by district, 2026 trends, purchase costs and precautions: what you need to know before buying in Vienna.

The Remoters editorial team

Published on

1 August 2023

Updated on

6 October 2026

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Buying an apartment in Vienna costs on average a little over €5,000 per square meter. According to Statistik Austria, the median price of apartments sold to private buyers in the Austrian capital was €5,212/m² in 2025, the highest in the country, and that of houses €5,376/m². Prices remain slightly below their 2022 peak (€5,516/m² for apartments), but they are rising again.

The Viennese market has a particular feature: it is a city of tenants. According to the City of Vienna, about three Viennese in four rent their home, and nearly 60% live in municipal or subsidized housing. The ownership market is therefore narrower than in Paris or Brussels, and the gaps from one district to another are considerable: from single to double between the Innere Stadt and the outlying districts.

This guide presents the state of the market, prices by district, purchase costs and the precautions to take before buying in Vienna.

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A market on the rise again

After the 2023 drop, linked to rising interest rates, prices are recovering. Nationally, Statistik Austria reports that homes were 3.9% more expensive in the first half of 2026 than a year earlier, and that its price index reached its highest level since 2010 in the second quarter of 2026. Existing homes rose slightly faster (4.0%) than new homes (3.8%).

For Vienna alone, the index of the Austrian National Bank (OeNB) shows a rise of 2.9% over one year in the second quarter of 2026. The detail shows contrasting trends:

apartments: up 2.7%;
new apartments: up 3.1%;
older apartments: up 2.4%;
detached houses: up 5.9%.

Over the whole of 2025, the Viennese rise was more modest, 1.4%, after two years of decline (down 2.3% in 2023 and down 3.4% in 2024). The market has therefore regained momentum, without a return to the rapid rises of before 2022.

Old or new: a significant price gap

Statistik Austria's tables distinguish the age of the building. In most districts, an apartment built since 1991 costs clearly more per square meter than one from before 1960 (the Viennese Altbau). In the 2nd district, Leopoldstadt, a small apartment without outdoor space costs on average €4,914/m² in an old building and €6,760/m² in a recent one. A balcony or terrace also pushes the price up.

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Prices by district

Statistik Austria publishes average prices by district, according to floor area and the age of the building. For an apartment under 68 m² without outdoor space, built before 1960, the 2025 values give a good idea of the hierarchy:

Innere Stadt (1st): €7,077/m², and up to €9,477/m² in a recent building;
Wieden (4th): €5,956/m²;
Josefstadt (8th): €5,869/m²;
Mariahilf (6th): €5,693/m²;
Alsergrund (9th): €5,507/m²;
Neubau (7th): €5,382/m²;
Leopoldstadt (2nd): €4,914/m²;
Döbling (19th): €4,906/m²;
Donaustadt (22nd): €4,093/m²;
Ottakring (16th): €3,730/m²;
Favoriten (10th): €3,344/m²;
Floridsdorf (21st): €3,351/m².

Which district for which project?

The central districts (1st to 9th) concentrate demand. Neubau, a creative neighborhood, attracts young professionals and foreigners; Wieden and Alsergrund have a student and university atmosphere; Josefstadt and Mariahilf are central and lively. Leopoldstadt, between the Prater and the Danube canal, offers a good compromise between price and proximity to the center.

The residential districts of the north, such as Döbling, upmarket and surrounded by vineyards, appeal to families. Prices there depend heavily on the age of the building: in Döbling, a recent apartment exceeds €5,900/m².

The districts beyond the Danube and in the south, such as Donaustadt (with the new Aspern Seestadt neighborhood), Floridsdorf or Favoriten, are the most affordable. There is a lot of new construction and larger floor areas, at the price of a longer trip to the center.

The costs to plan for

On top of the price, count on several purchase costs:

The property transfer tax (Grunderwerbsteuer): 3.5% of the price for a purchase, calculated at a minimum on the value of the land and building set by law, according to the Ministry of Finance's tax portal;
The land registry registration fees (Grundbuch), which make the transfer of ownership official;
The fees of the notary or lawyer who drafts the contract and handles the escrow of the price;
The real estate agent's commission if the property is sold by an agency;
Application and guarantee fees for the loan if you borrow.

Ask for a written breakdown of these costs before signing the offer, because they come on top of the price and are generally not financed by the bank.

Pitfalls to avoid

Signing an offer too quickly. In Austria, a written purchase offer (Kaufanbot) accepted by the seller can be binding. Sign only after checking the property and your financing.
Neglecting the condominium. Ask for the rules, the latest accounts, the reserve fund and the planned works. In the Altbau, facade, roof and elevator can be expensive.
Forgetting the land registry. Have the Grundbuch extract checked: owner, mortgages, easements, rights of use.
Overestimating the yield of a rental property. In older buildings, a large share of homes fall under a regulated rent (Richtwert, €6.74/m² since April 2026 according to our city sheet). An apartment bought to let can earn less than expected.
Ignoring the rules specific to foreigners. If you are not a citizen of the European Union, have the notary check whether your purchase requires an authorization.

Buying in Vienna from abroad

Vacancy is low and well-located properties go fast. To buy remotely, you need to be ready to decide quickly, with confirmed financing and a clear idea of the districts you are targeting. Plan at least one trip on site to visit and meet the notary, or be represented by someone you trust.

If you prefer to delegate, a Remoters home finder based in Vienna can target the districts suited to your budget, visit for you, analyze the condominium documents and go with you through to signing. The first conversation and the quote are free.