Closing Costs in Austria: What Buyers Pay on Top of the Price
The short answer
In Austria, buyers usually pay around 9 to 11% on top of the purchase price: 3.5% property transfer tax (Grunderwerbsteuer), 1.1% land register fee, up to 3% plus VAT in agent's commission, the cost of drawing up the contract and, if you finance with a loan, 1.2% to register the mortgage (Pfandrecht).
3.5%Property transfer tax
1.1%Land register fee
≈ 10%Total closing costs (rule of thumb)
At a glance
Property transfer tax
3.5% of the purchase price
Land register fee
1.1% (registering ownership)
Mortgage registration (if financing)
1.2% of the registered mortgage amount
Agent's commission
up to 3% + 20% VAT
Contract & escrow
depends on the notary or lawyer, plus VAT and expenses
Rule of thumb
around 9–11% of the purchase price
The main closing costs
Property transfer tax – 3.5% of the purchase price, paid to the tax office by whoever draws up the contract. Transfers within the family follow their own rules.
Land register fee (Grundbucheintragung) – 1.1% for registering you as the owner. The temporary exemption for owner-occupied homes only applied to applications filed by July 1, 2026.
Mortgage registration – 1.2% of the registered amount if you finance with a loan.
Agent's commission – up to 3% + 20% VAT if you buy through an agent.
Contract & escrow (Vertragserrichtung & Treuhand) by a notary or lawyer – a common guideline is around 1.8% including VAT. Ask for a quote in advance.
What does this mean for you as a seller?
Buyers always think in terms of the total: purchase price plus closing costs. An asking price that fits the market and a presentation that makes the value visible decide how quickly, and at what price, your property sells.
Frequently asked questions
How much are closing costs in Austria?
As a rule of thumb, around 9 to 11% of the purchase price, depending on the agent's commission, who draws up the contract and whether you finance.
How high is the property transfer tax in Austria?
3.5% of the purchase price when you buy a property.
Is the land register fee exemption still available?
No. Only land register applications received by July 1, 2026 qualified.
This article is for general information only and does not replace legal or tax advice for your individual situation. Most of the sources are in German.
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