AustriaIn Austrian tourism regions, housing shortages and high costs have led to various measures by federal states to address vacant properties and second homes. Currently, there are 1.433 million cases of secondary residences in Austria, up from around 147,000 five years ago. Four states, Styria, Salzburg, Tyrol, and Vorarlburg, have implemented formal vacancy fees, while Carinthia plans to expand its secondary residence fee to include vacant homes starting January 1, 2027. Other states like Lower Austria, Upper Austria, Burgenland, and Vienna do not currently have such fees. A vacancy fee aims to encourage property owners to make unused housing available again, typically applying if a home remains unoccupied for six months or 26 calendar weeks. This differs from a secondary residence fee, which applies to homes used as vacation or second homes but not as primary residences. In Salzburg, the first state to implement a vacancy fee, many municipalities initially adopted the measure, but now only 45 out of 119 have done so due to administrative burdens and low revenue.
Bias read (Center): The article provides a balanced overview of different regional policies regarding secondary residences and vacant properties across Austria. It explains the distinctions between vacancy fees and secondary residence fees, highlights the varying approaches among federal states, and includes quotes and
