Housing and rental regulation in Germany and Austria

In Germany, legislative and administrative changes are addressing housing and social welfare oversight. As of July 2026, revised social welfare laws allow German authorities to request data directly from landlords to assess social assistance benefits without tenant consent. Concurrently, the Bundestag is advancing rental law reforms intended to protect tenants in shortage-prone markets. These reforms target approximately 5.5 million private landlords by implementing stricter rules on furnished apartment surcharges and limiting the duration of short-term rental contracts to prevent the bypassing of rent controls.

In Austria, specifically Vienna, regulatory shifts regarding short-term rentals have prompted a surge in reclassification applications. Following a 2024 requirement for exemptions on tourist rentals exceeding 90 days per year, investors have sought to reclassify buildings as hospitality establishments. While many applications are pending or approved, Green Party officials have expressed concern that this trend reduces the available housing stock for residents.