Mortgage for Foreigners in Austria: Requirements, Documents & Best Banks
Can immigrants and foreigners get a mortgage in Austria? This guide explains residency requirements, which documents banks ask for, which institutions are most open to non-EU applicants, and what the typical obstacles are.
Ahmet Parlak
Mortgage & Property Finance Expert, Vienna
Quick answer: Mortgage for foreigners in Austria
- Valid residence permit (min. 1 year remaining) is required.
- Minimum 20% equity under KIM-V.
- EU citizens are treated similarly to Austrians.
- Non-EU nationals need salary slips, tax return, and residence proof.
Last updated: 2026-01-15
TL;DR
- Valid residence permit is the baseline requirement.
- Stable income is rigorously assessed.
- Higher equity can offset a weaker residency situation.
- Not all banks are equally open — worth enquiring selectively.
Residency requirements
Austrian banks primarily assess repayment capacity. Legal residency status matters because it reflects long-term stability in the country.
| Residency status | Mortgage chance | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Austrian / EU citizen | very good | No extra hurdles |
| Permanent settlement permit | good | Treated like locals |
| Temporary permit (>2 yr remaining) | possible | Higher equity recommended |
| Temporary permit (<1 yr remaining) | difficult | Few banks offer this |
| Asylum / pending status | very difficult | Rarely available |
Document checklist
Most Austrian banks require the following documents from foreign applicants:
- Valid passport or ID card
- Residence permit (front and back copy)
- Last 3 payslips
- Latest tax assessment or tax return
- Bank statements for the last 3–6 months
- Proof of equity (savings account, portfolio, gift deed)
- Employer confirmation letter or employment contract
- For self-employed: financial statements for last 2–3 years
- Purchase contract or offer for the property
Best banks for foreign applicants
These Austrian banking groups are known for working with foreign applicants (case by case):
| Bank | Openness | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Erste Bank / s Bausparkasse | high | Wide branch network, multilingual service |
| Raiffeisen Landesbanken | good | Regional variations possible |
| Bank Austria (UniCredit) | good | Broad product range, international experience |
| BAWAG | medium | Online-focused, individual assessment |
| Wüstenrot | medium | Building savings models with equity build-up |
FAQ for foreign mortgage applicants
Yes, with a valid residence permit, stable income, and sufficient equity.
At minimum a temporary permit with enough remaining validity (recommended: 2+ years). Permanent settlement is ideal.
Not legally (KIM-V applies to all), but banks may set higher internal thresholds. 25–30% equity can help.
Doubly challenging: provide 3 years of financials, stable income, and solid equity.
Yes – Erste Bank, Raiffeisen, and Bank Austria have multilingual staff including Turkish.
Not directly, but the linked residency status does. EU citizens are treated like locals.
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