How do I get a cooperative flat?
- Through the Wiener Wohn-Ticket: since September 2026 the city has been allocating part of the subsidised flats by bonus points, with the same requirements as for council flats.
- Directly with the housing association: many flats are allocated by the associations themselves. Register with several; often the date of registration decides.
- Flats available now: vacant flats in existing buildings and leftover flats in new projects are listed on the associations' websites, without commission.
What is the financing contribution?
Many cooperative flats ask for a one-off payment towards land and building costs when you move in (Finanzierungsbeitrag). The higher it is, the lower the monthly rent usually is. Depending on the project it can be a five-figure sum. For SMART flats under Vienna's housing subsidy it is capped at €60 per m².
If the association is a cooperative, you also become a member and pay a small cooperative share. For non-profit companies (GmbH or AG) there is none.
How much do I get back when I move out?
The Non-Profit Housing Act (WGG) sets it out: you get the financing contribution back within eight weeks of returning the flat, reduced by 1 % for every year. The years count from the building's completion, not from your move-in. So if you move into an older flat, you also only pay the already depreciated amount. The association may deduct justified open claims from the tenancy.
What does the rent cost?
Non-profit housing associations may only charge what covers their costs: loans, upkeep, reserves and administration. That usually makes their rents well below the private market, where the median gross rent is currently €22.2 per m² (as of 27 October 2026). Once the building's loans are repaid, the rent often falls further.
If you think the rent or service charges are wrong, you can have them checked for free at the Schlichtungsstelle, as with a private old-building flat. You can also reclaim a forbidden Ablöse there.
Can I buy the flat later?
Some subsidised cooperative flats come with a purchase option. You can apply at the earliest five years after the building was first occupied. The conditions include a subsidised flat over 40 m² and a financing contribution above €50 per m² (index-linked). The association sets the price under the rules of the act. If you resell the bought flat within the speculation period, you have to hand over part of the profit.
Tips for your search
- Register with several associations at once and ask how they allocate: by date, by urgency or through the Wohn-Ticket.
- Read three numbers in every offer: the financing contribution, the monthly rent and the service charges. A low contribution often means a higher rent.
- For subsidised flats the association checks the income limits and your main residence before the contract. Have payslips and your Meldezettel ready.
- You don't need an agent: cooperative flats are usually commission-free.