A cooperative flat (German: Genossenschaftswohnung) is an apartment built and rented out by a non-profit housing cooperative — not a private landlord. These cooperatives don’t aim to make a profit, so the flats are a popular, more affordable way to rent in Vienna.
Why it’s cheaper
Because the cooperative is non-profit, the monthly rent is usually lower than on the open market — and it can’t be raised arbitrarily. The trade-off is a one-off payment when you move in (see below).
The one-off contribution (Finanzierungsbeitrag)
When you move in you usually pay a one-time Finanzierungsbeitrag (also called Genossenschaftsanteil or Eigenmittel) — your share of the building’s land and construction cost. It can range from a few thousand to several tens of thousands of euros, and it is the reason the rent is low.
Good news: it’s largely refundable. When you move out you get it back, minus roughly 1% for each year you lived there. So it’s more like a deposit you mostly get back than money that’s gone.
Option to buy later
Some cooperative flats come with a buy option (Kaufoption): after a number of years you may have the right to purchase the flat. This is optional and varies by project.
Who can apply
Conditions vary by cooperative, but typically you must:
- be at least 18 years old;
- be an Austrian or EU/EEA citizen, or hold a valid residence permit;
- have an income within certain limits (not too high — these are subsidised flats);
- use the flat as your main residence.
How to get one
You apply directly to the cooperative. Many people register for flats that are still being built and wait on a list; ready-to-move-in flats also come up but go quickly. Useful documents to have ready: ID/passport, proof of registration, and recent proof of income.
How GWohnungen.at helps
GWohnungen.at gathers the currently available flats from many Vienna cooperatives in one place: we watch their “immediately available” lists and show them together, so you don’t have to check each site. We don’t handle applications — when you find a flat you like, you apply with that cooperative directly.