Only 35 reports

Speculators laugh at Salzburg’s vacancy tax

Vacant properties like the one in Getreidegasse are a problem on the housing market. They contribute to the fact that the demand for housing is higher than the supply. Salzburg is known to have Austria's most expensive rents.(Bild: Tröster Andreas)

The new law requiring owners of vacant apartments to make a payment seems to be completely toothless in the city of Salzburg. So far, only 35 voluntary reports have been received. That's the crux of the matter.

An inquiry by Vincent Pultar (SPÖ) to the City of Salzburg's Levy Office, which belongs to the office of outgoing mayor Harald Preuner, recently brought the figure of 35 to light. 35 - that's how many so-called tax declarations have arrived in the city. These are effectively voluntary declarations by homeowners whose properties are vacant, for which the vacancy tax would have to be paid according to the law from January 1, 2023.