Legal support for your time in Vienna – renting, buying, inheritance
You may be posted to the Vienna International Centre for a few years, work at an embassy or have moved to Vienna on a fixed-term assignment. Once you rent a flat, buy property or hold assets in Austria, Austrian law applies. Kanzlei am Kai is a Vienna law firm specialising in real estate and commercial law – and we advise in English.
Your flat, your property, your assets. Legally covered.
We focus on the legal questions people most often face during a fixed-term stay in Vienna.
Lease review before you sign
We go through your lease before you sign: rent, fixed term, service charges, notice rights and any unusual clauses.
Fixed terms and the Tenancy Act
How far the Austrian Tenancy Act (MRG) applies depends on factors such as the type of building and when it was built. We tell you which minimum term, rent rules and notice rights apply to your flat.
Deposit and move-out
We support the handover at the start and the return at the end of the tenancy, and pursue the return of your deposit if deductions cannot be justified.
Buying property in Vienna
We handle the purchase of a flat or house from the land register check and the purchase agreement (in German) through to registration – including approval under Vienna's law on land acquisition by foreign nationals where needed.
Inheritance and Austrian assets
If you own property in Austria, the question is which succession law applies. We advise on the EU Succession Regulation, choice of law and drafting your will with Austria in mind.
Contracts, powers of attorney, disputes
We draft and review contracts and powers of attorney, for example so matters can be handled after you have left Vienna, and represent you in disputes with landlords.
International organisations, embassies and postings.
Vienna hosts many international organisations and diplomatic missions, and this raises legal points of its own. We take them into account when we advise you.
Staff of international organisations
If you work for an organisation such as the UN, OSCE, OPEC or IAEA, specific rules may apply depending on the organisation and your role, for example a headquarters agreement. We look at your situation before you sign a lease or purchase agreement.
Embassy personnel
Diplomats and embassy staff may have privileges and immunities; how far they extend depends on status and the kind of transaction. We advise on the tenancy and property side with that framework in mind.
Fixed-term stays
If you are in Vienna for a few years, keep the fixed term, notice rights and move-out in view from the start. For immigration, tax or employment questions, we can refer you to specialists in our network.
Your contacts
Mag.a Sabrina Oberlojer
Focus areas include property purchases and transactions, trust account services and contract drafting.
Mag. Stefan Oberlojer
Focus areas include tenancy law, property purchases and transactions, and real estate litigation.
What we do not cover
We do not advise on visas, residence permits, tax or your employment. Where needed, we refer you to specialists in our network.
Contracts and official procedures in Austria are generally in German – we explain the content to you.
FAQ for expats in Vienna.
Briefly answered. Austrian law, as of October 2026.
Can I work with you in English?
Yes, advice and correspondence can be in English. Contracts and official procedures in Austria are generally in German; we explain the content so you understand what you are signing.
What is the minimum term for a fixed-term lease in Vienna?
Where the Tenancy Act applies in full or in part, a fixed term must be agreed in writing. For leases concluded from 1 January 2026 the minimum is generally five years; if the landlord is not acting as a business, three years is enough. An invalid fixed term makes the lease open-ended. Flats outside the Act allow more freedom.
Can I leave a fixed-term lease early if my posting ends?
Where the Tenancy Act applies, tenants of flats can give notice once the first year of the lease is over, with three months' notice. Outside the Act, the lease itself decides – which is why a review before signing is worthwhile.
When do I get my deposit back?
Once the tenancy ends, the deposit and any interest must be repaid without undue delay, less any justified claims arising from the tenancy. Document the condition of the flat carefully when you move in and when you move out.
Do I need approval to buy a flat in Vienna as a non-EU citizen?
As a rule, yes. Under Vienna's law on land acquisition by foreign nationals (Wiener Ausländergrunderwerbsgesetz), people without Austrian citizenship need official approval – as do companies with predominantly foreign ownership – to acquire ownership, a building right or personal easements. Exceptions include people who can rely on EU or EEA freedoms; they still need suitable evidence for the land register. Without approval or a confirmation that none is needed, the purchase cannot be entered in the land register.
Which succession law applies if I live in Vienna and own property here?
Under the EU Succession Regulation, the law of the country where you are habitually resident at the time of death generally applies – after some years in Vienna, that may be Austrian law. In a will, you can choose the law of your nationality instead (Art 22 of the Regulation).
Can my affairs in Vienna be handled after I have left?
Yes, with a suitable power of attorney. Some transactions, such as land register matters, have formal requirements like a certified signature.
Do you also advise on visas, tax or my employment contract?
No. We focus on property, tenancy and succession law and on contracts. For immigration, tax or employment law, we can refer you to specialists in our network.
Tell us about your matter.
New to Vienna or leaving soon? Tell us briefly what you need – in English or German. We will get back to you promptly.
The initial consultation (30 minutes) is subject to a fee; we will tell you the terms in advance.
1010 Vienna, Austria