Focus on the Vienna housing market: Strict controls against illegal Airbnb use

Focus on the Vienna housing market: Strict controls against illegal Airbnb use

The city of Vienna is tightening the reins when it comes to renting holiday apartments. Strict new rules will apply from mid-2024: apartments may be rented to tourists for a maximum of 90 days a year. Anyone who violates this regulation must expect severe penalties of up to 50,000 euros per apartment Exchange Express reported. A special construction police control group will now target the online platforms and monitor advertisements.

These measures come as part of an ambitious housing construction program that Vienna has been pursuing for many years. With over 22,200 subsidized apartments for more than 45,000 people, the city focuses on sustainability, green architecture and social infrastructure. 60 percent of Viennese already live in subsidized or municipal housing, which helps keep rents moderate.

Illegal rentals under scrutiny

Against this background, the City of Vienna has also uncovered numerous illegal sublettings via platforms such as Airbnb. Hundreds of cases of illegal rentals in municipal housing have become known. Affected tenants must expect terminations and will be banned from accessing council housing for life My district reported. Around 250 cases have been identified in recent years, around 100 of which involved regular and profitable rentals.

The strict regulations have been in force since summer 2022. Deputy Mayor Kathrin Gaál emphasizes that protecting living space is of the utmost importance. The ban on subletting municipal housing, which was confirmed by the Supreme Court in 2022, is particularly strict. Violations not only threaten the termination of the rental agreement, but also the recovery of illegal profits.

Controls and tracking of revenue

In response to the illegal rentals, Wiener Wohnen has introduced comprehensive information and control measures. By the end of March 2025, 887 advertisements related to short-term rentals had already been registered and 163 criminal complaints had been submitted. This shows that despite the challenges, the city is in an ongoing battle against unlawful housing rentals. Two illegal hotels on the Wiedner Belt were also discovered during extensive checks that take place several times a week.

In addition, the new building police department responsible for monitoring the regulations has taken strict measures. After the regulation came into force, 808 applications for short-term rentals were already examined. Despite these intensive controls, there is still a critical voice: The opposition party The Greens is calling for further measures against the “theft of living space”, while the ÖVP is calling for the controls to be intensified.

With its dual strategy of strict controls and innovative housing construction, Vienna wants to continue to actively address the challenges on the housing market. The city's model is also seen as exemplary internationally; competitors such as Barcelona, ​​Amsterdam and Paris have introduced similar regulations.

If everything goes according to plan, Vienna will not only enforce the strict regulations, but will also continue to be a role model in housing construction and housing security.