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Vienna: Airbnb Between Housing Crisis and Legal Grey Area

Nicole Perreten’s master’s thesis shows how Vienna’s 2023 Building Act is slowing the Airbnb boom—and what that means for residents, hosts and visitors

Short-term rentals via platforms like Airbnb are booming — but the debate is intensifying in Vienna. The master's thesis by Nicole Perreten (graduate of the MSc Real Estate Management & Valuation) shows that the supply of Airbnb apartments in the city is steadily growing, particularly in the inner districts. At the same time, there is a lack of clear legal regulations for private landlords, leading to uncertainty and frustration among providers and neighbors alike.

Regulatory Gaps up to 2022 – A Status Report

In 2018, Vienna’s Building Code introduced the first restrictions on short-term rentals in designated residential zones. However, enforcement remained patchy. Many rentals were carried out without official permits, creating an imbalance compared to the traditional hotel industry and the long-term housing market. 

The study, published at the end of 2022, calls for a rethink: Vienna needs a clear strategy, similar to Amsterdam, to regulate this phenomenon without banning it completely. Only through such an approach can a fair balance between tourism use and affordable housing be achieved.

2023 Building Act Amendment: New Rules from July 2024

Two years later, a different picture emerges: with the 2023 Building Law Amendment, short-term rentals throughout Vienna have been restricted since July 2024 — not only in residential zones but citywide — and are now limited to 90 days per year. 

Anything beyond this requires a special permit from the city. The Short-Term Rental Control Group of the Building Authority is now actively pursuing violations and threatening fines of up to EUR 50,000.

Flexible Housing Option or Price Driver?

The central question remains: Is Airbnb in Vienna a flexible form of housing — or a price driver in an already strained housing market?

The full thesis can be found at:https://catalogplus.tuwien.at/permalink/f/8j3js/UTW_alma21135942480003336, opens an external URL in a new window 

About Nicole Perreten

Nicole Perreten

Nicole Perreten holds an MSc in Real Estate Management & Valuation and currently works as a consultant at IAZI AG / CIFI SA, opens an external URL in a new window.