Buy a second home
in the Salzburg region

Yes, but not with every property. In the province of Salzburg the use as a second or leisure residence is strictly regulated under the Salzburg Regional Planning Act: only specifically designated properties may be used in this way. We flag designated second homes and point them out to you in advance — the binding clarification for the individual case, however, rests with the notary or the municipality.

In everyday language the terms are often treated as the same; legally they are not quite: a leisure residence refers to use for holiday and recreational purposes and is separately regulated and subject to designation under the Salzburg Regional Planning Act. A second home is the broader term for any residence alongside the main one. What matters for the purchase is always whether the specific property is zoned or designated for the intended use — we check this in advance, the notary confirms it bindingly.

Whether a property may be used as a leisure or second home follows from the zoning in the municipality's land-use plan and from existing permits — not from the listing alone. At Ferstl, designated second homes are marked among our properties; we disclose the documents to you and state clearly what is permitted. The final legal check is carried out before purchase by a notary or lawyer.

As is usual in Austria, on top of the purchase price there are, among others, the real-estate transfer tax, the land-register registration fee, notary or contract-drafting costs and the agent's commission. The exact amounts depend on the purchase price and the circumstances. You will find a detailed breakdown in our guide to incidental purchase costs — and we are happy to calculate them specifically for your chosen property.

Yes. Buyers from Germany, the Netherlands and the rest of the EU are largely on an equal footing in Austria; we look after them regularly. The main points to observe are the second-home zoning of the property and the property-acquisition formalities. We advise in German, English and Dutch and guide you through the entire process — details are also in our guides for buyers from Germany and the Netherlands.

Yes. We provide a sound, market-based valuation for leisure and second homes too, based on current comparables, location, condition and permitted use — free of charge and without obligation. For properties with second-home zoning in particular, the permitted use has a marked effect on the value.

Many Salzburg municipalities charge an annual second-home levy for properties not used as a main residence. Each municipality sets the amount and tiers itself, usually based on living area. The exact levy for a specific property is best clarified directly with the relevant municipality. We tell you what to watch for regarding location.

We first clarify your wishes and the permitted scope of use, show you designated properties, review zoning, running costs and value prospects with you, and guide you through to the purchase contract at the notary. The binding legal review in each case is handled by the notary or a lawyer.