Planning to stay in Austria for less than a year? Be careful!
Rental contracts in Austria come with unique terms and conditions that are very different from what you might be used to in Japan or other countries. If you sign a contract without understanding the rules, you could end up with a hefty financial loss—especially if you’re only staying short term.
🏠 Rental Contracts in Austria: Key Rules to Know
Many rental agreements in Austria include the following clauses:
❌ No Cancellation Within the First Year
Once you sign a lease, you cannot cancel it for the first 12 months—this is usually non-negotiable.
⏳ 3-Month Notice Period After 1 Year
Even after the first year, you must give three months’ notice (Kündigungsfrist) before moving out. That means you’ll still be paying rent during that period, even if you’ve already moved.
📅 Contracts Usually Start on the First of the Month
Even if you apply mid-month (e.g., October 1), your lease will typically start on November 1. So you’re essentially paying for a month you might not even need.
👉 In total, this means you’re often required to pay at least 15 months’ rent—even if you’re planning to stay for much less. And that last point is particularly frustrating for short-term renters. Why lose a whole month just waiting for the contract to begin?
Also, for some reason, just drafting the contract can take up to two weeks. Are they amateurs or what? 😤
📌 Example: Renting for a 6-Month Stay
Let’s say you plan to stay in Austria for only six months and sign a standard lease.
Bad news—you may still be obligated to pay rent for nine more months, even after you leave.
That’s a huge waste of money for a place you’re not even using.
✅ Possible Solution: Finding a New Tenant (Nachmieter)
But don’t panic—there’s a potential way out.
In Austria, it’s common to end a lease early if you can find a new tenant (called a Nachmieter) to take over your contract.
If you (or the agency) find someone to take your place, they take over the rent, and you can avoid paying for the remaining months.
Steps to Take:
- Before signing: Carefully check the cancellation terms and whether Nachmieter replacement is allowed.
- As soon as you know you’ll leave: Contact the real estate agency to ask if they can list the property online to find a new tenant.
- Help with the search: Promote the listing on social media or community boards yourself. The more proactive you are, the faster you may be able to leave.
💡 This strategy is quite common—even among Austrians. Because of the three-month notice period, locals also try to find someone to take over their lease as early as possible to save money.
⚠️ Final Thoughts: Think Before You Sign!
Austria is a beautiful and safe country to live in, but when it comes to renting, there are some hidden pitfalls—especially for short-term stays.
If you’re only planning to stay for a few months, consider more flexible options like serviced apartments, short-term rentals, or even extended-stay hotels.
And whatever you do, don’t skip the contract details—especially the cancellation terms.
✔️ Quick Recap
Always confirm the rules before signing
You’re often required to pay at least 1 year + 3 months’ rent
The “1-year + 3-month rule” applies to most standard leases
You may be able to break the lease early by finding a new tenant (Nachmieter)
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