KIM-V 2025: Changes, Current Rules & Impact on Your Mortgage
Austria's KIM-V regulation (mortgage lending standards) underwent significant changes in 2025. This guide explains what KIM-V is, what changed, which LTV and DTI limits currently apply, and what this means for your property financing.
Ahmet Parlak
Mortgage & Property Finance Expert, Vienna
Quick answer: KIM-V 2025 changes
- KIM-V was introduced in 2022 and reformed in 2025 (partly relaxed).
- Currently: max 90% LTV (min 10% equity as a legal exception); 80% LTV recommended.
- DSTI: max 40% of monthly net income.
- Maximum loan term: 35 years.
Last updated: 2026-01-15
TL;DR
- KIM-V governs LTV, DSTI (debt service ratio), and loan term.
- 2025: exception quotas raised, but practice remains conservative.
- Recommendation: at least 20% equity for smooth approval.
- Max 40% DSTI remains in force.
What is KIM-V?
KIM-V stands for "Kreditinstitute-Immobilienfinanzierungsmaßnahmen-Verordnung" — the Austrian FMA regulation on residential mortgage lending, introduced in July 2022 to limit systemic risk in the property credit market.
The regulation sets binding minimum standards. Banks may grant exceptions within defined quotas but must actively manage them.
The three core parameters apply cumulatively: LTV must not exceed 90%, debt service (DSTI) must not exceed 40% of monthly net income, and loan term must not exceed 35 years. A single loan must comply with all three limits simultaneously. In practice, most Austrian banks apply a stricter internal LTV cap of 80% (i.e. 20% equity) to maintain an adequate risk buffer. The FMA publishes semi-annual compliance reports on KIM-V implementation. (Source: FMA.gv.at/KIM-V; BGBl. II Nr. 223/2022)
KIM-V changes 2025
The FMA reviewed KIM-V in 2025. Key changes:
- Exception quotas increased: banks may issue more loans outside standard limits.
- Easing for first-time buyers of owner-occupied properties.
- Better alignment with EU Mortgage Credit Directive.
- Core parameters (LTV 90%, DSTI 40%, term 35 yr) formally unchanged.
Current KIM-V limits (as of 2026)
The table below shows the currently applicable upper limits:
| Parameter | Limit | Exception possible? | Recommended |
|---|---|---|---|
| LTV (loan-to-value) | max. 90% | yes, limited | ≤ 80% (20% equity) |
| DSTI (debt-service-to-income) | max. 40% | yes, limited | ≤ 35% |
| Loan term | max. 35 years | no | 25–30 years |
| Minimum equity | min. 10% | no | min. 20% |
Impact on your financing
KIM-V has direct implications for your mortgage planning:
- Equity: 20% + closing costs (5–7%) = at least 25–27% of purchase price in cash.
- Payment: check affordability — max. 40% of net income as monthly loan payment.
- Term: 35 years means lower payments but more total interest.
- Exceptions: ask your bank about available exception quotas — they are limited.
KIM-V FAQ
No. KIM-V was reformed and some exceptions expanded, but the regulation remains in force.
Loan-to-value: ratio of loan amount to property value. LTV 80% = 20% equity.
Debt-service-to-income: ratio of debt payments to net income. Max. 40% under KIM-V.
Yes, but only within the bank's exception quota. Rare and requires strong creditworthiness.
Yes, all licensed Austrian credit institutions must comply.
Use our calculator: loan ÷ price ≤ 0.90 (LTV) and monthly payment ÷ net income ≤ 0.40 (DSTI).
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