How high are realtors´ and lawyers´ fees in the Austria? What about other property purchase costs?

Transaction Costs
		Who Pays?
Legal Fees	1% - 3% (+ 20% VAT)	buyer
Property Transfer Tax	3.5%	buyer
Registration Duty	110%	buyer
Notary´s Fee	€120 per signature (+ 20% VAT)	buyer
Real Estate Agent´s Fee	1.5% - 2% (+ 20% VAT) 1.5% - 2% (+ 20% VAT)	buyer seller
Costs paid by buyer	7.60% - 10.60%
Costs paid by seller	1.80% - 2.10%
ROUNDTRIP TRANSACTION COSTS	9.40% - 13%
See Footnotes Source: Global Property Guide

How difficult is the property purchase process in the Austria?

There are no restrictions on foreigners buying properties in Austria.

When a property has been selected, make a formal offer in writing via a real estate agent. Attached to the offer document is an itemized list (Kostenaufstellung) of related transaction costs such as legal fee, property transfer tax, registration duty, notary fee, and real estate agent´s fee.

When the seller accepts the offer, a purchase agreement or sale contract is drawn by an Austrian solicitor/notary. When the contract is signed, the buyer may be expected to pay 10% of the purchase price as deposit, which is put in a trustee or escrow account until the completion takes place. Upon completion your lawyer will register transfer detail at the local registry office and pay transfer and registration duties.

Property registration costs around 4.5% of the property value. It takes an average of 9 to 32 days to complete all the three procedures needed to register a property in Austria.

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Footnotes to Transaction Costs Table

The round trip transaction costs include all costs of buying and then re-selling a property - lawyers´ fees, notaries´ fees, registration fees, taxes, agents´ fees, etc.

Legal Fees :
The contract is usually set up by a lawyer or a notary, at 1% to 3% of the purchase price (+ 20% VAT).

Property Transfer Tax:
Property transfer tax is generally levied at a flat rate of 3.5% of the property value. The transfer tax is reduced to 2% for transfer between close relatives.

Value Added Tax (VAT)
Value Added Tax (VAT) is payable for newly-built properties.

Property owners can claim back the 20% VAT if they lease the property. However, the rental income will be liable to VAT in this case, plus a tourist tax of around €0.10 per person per night.

Registration Duty:
Registration duty is payable to the Land Register.

Notary Fee:
The signatures of the seller and buyer have to be authenticated on the contract. That can be done by notary or by court for a max of €120 per person (plus 20% VAT); the fee of the court may differ slightly to the notary´s.

Real Estate Agent´s Fee:

Real estate agent´s fee is set by law at 3% to 4% of the property´s purchase price or market value. The agent´s commission is payable by both the buyer and the seller.

ESTATE AGENT´S FEE
PROPERTY VALUE, €	RATE, €
Up to € 36,336	4% (+20% VAT)
From € 36,336 to € 48,448	maximum of €1,453 (+20% VAT)
From € 48,448	3% (+20% VAT)