If rent consumes a large part of your income, a housing allowance can noticeably reduce the burden. In Austria there is no uniform federal law for this: each federal state regulates housing promotion and allowances itself. This guide explains which types of support exist, which requirements are typical, and shows, using the example of Vienna, what a state regulation looks like in practice.
Why there is no uniform housing allowance for all of Austria
Housing promotion is a matter for the Länder in Austria. There are nine different regulations, which change frequently [S1]. The amount of the allowance and the income limits also vary from federal state to federal state [S2]. What applies in Graz therefore need not apply in Innsbruck or Vienna. Reliable information is always provided by the funding authority of your federal state [S3].
Two routes: subsidised dwelling or personal allowance
Fundamentally, two types of support can be distinguished:
- Promotion of the building (object Förderung): Non-profit and private developers receive public funds for the construction of rental apartments. These apartments are usually cheaper in both one-off and ongoing costs than those financed on the open market. Those who want to obtain such an apartment generally have to comply with income limits and demonstrate an urgent housing need; this also applies to subsequent tenants [S2].
- Promotion of the person (housing allowance — Wohnbeihilfe): It is an ongoing subsidy towards your housing costs. Its amount typically depends on income, household size and housing costs [S2][S1].
Typical requirements for a housing allowance
The details differ, but some points recur regularly in the state regulations [S2][S1]:
- You permanently occupy the apartment and have an urgent housing need, usually proven by the main residence.
- You have a valid tenancy or usage contract.
- Your household income falls within the specified limits.
- Household size and apartment size are taken into account, often only up to a reasonable area.
- The allowance is approved only for a certain period and must be reapplied for afterwards.
Allowances are generally not granted retroactively or are granted retroactively only for a short period. Therefore submit the application in good time [S2].
Example Vienna: how the housing allowance is regulated there
In Vienna the Wiener Wohnbeihilfegesetz has applied since 1 March 2024 [S4]. The following points concern Vienna only:
- Who can apply: adult Austrian citizens and persons equated under the Wiener Mindestsicherungsgesetz. No entitlement exists if someone in your household has (co-)ownership of the property or is close to the owner, for example as a close relative [S4].
- Cooperative apartments also count: The usage contract of a cooperative also counts as a tenancy [S4].
- Income: Household income must be between a minimum and a maximum amount. Both are linked to the minimum standard of the Wiener Mindestsicherung. Special payments such as holiday and Christmas pay are not counted as income [S4].
- Main residence: All household members must have their main residence in the apartment in Vienna [S4].
- Area and costs: An area of 60 square metres is considered appropriate for one person, plus 15 for the second and 10 for each additional person. Housing costs are counted at most up to the Vienna reference value without surcharges plus an inflation-protected flat-rate amount for operating costs per square metre [S4].
- Application and duration: If you submit the application by the 15th of a month, the allowance is granted from that month. Retroactive payment is possible on application for a maximum of four months. It is approved for a maximum of two years; amounts of up to five euros per month are not paid out [S4].
- Notifications: You must notify changes in household, housing costs or tenancy within one month, and changes in income when the change exceeds the annual inflation adjustment [S4].
The responsible authority is Magistratsabteilung 50 of the City of Vienna, the application is free of charge and can be submitted online [S5].
Fictitious example: A couple with one child lives in Vienna in 80 square metres. The appropriate area for three persons is 85 square metres. The entire living area can therefore be considered in the calculation, but the costs only up to the upper limit per square metre.
Further support you can ask about
In addition to the housing allowance, there are further aids depending on the federal state [S2]:
- Heating cost supplements, which are paid out once a year in some federal states and must be applied for.
- Grants within the framework of social assistance or minimum income support in cases of particular need.
- Subsidies for the barrier-free conversion of an apartment.
Note for Vienna: Those who receive minimum income support there do not receive housing allowance for that period [S4].
How to proceed
- Find out which authority is responsible in your federal state. In Burgenland, Carinthia, Lower Austria, Upper Austria, Salzburg, Styria, Tyrol and Vorarlberg these are the housing subsidy departments at the offices of the respective state governments, in Vienna the Municipal Department 50 (Magistratsabteilung 50) [S2][S5]. An overview with links to all federal states is provided by oesterreich.gv.at [S3].
- Check with the information or calculators of the state whether you meet the limits.
- Gather documents: rental agreement, income proofs of all household members, identity documents, registration certificate (Meldezettel) and bills.
- Submit the application as soon as possible after moving in or after a change in income.
- Report any relevant changes later, otherwise recoveries may be imposed.
Help with the application is also offered by the Chamber of Labour, tenant organisations and social counselling centres.