Austria, Guest Country 2025

23-25 APRIL 2025 | IFEMA MADRID

Austria stands out as a benchmark in housing and livability policies, especially in its capital, Vienna, which has been recognized for the third consecutive year as the city with the highest quality of life in the world, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit’s livability index.

Vienna’s success lies in its public housing model, where more than 60% of the inhabitants live in apartments owned or subsidized by the city council, guaranteeing access to affordable housing. In addition, the quality of real estate supply in Austria focuses not only on quantity, but also on excellence, demanding high standards in energy efficiency, materials and common areas in subsidized housing.

This comprehensive approach has allowed the country to maintain relatively low rental prices compared to other major European cities, such as London, Dublin or Barcelona. Austria’s experience in this area extends to other cities such as Graz or Salzburg, consolidating its leadership in the creation of quality public housing.

The Austrian model is also characterized by a balance between public and private housing supply, with the public sector being the main driver of construction. With approximately one in four housing units in the country being public, Austria ranks as one of the countries with the highest proportion of state housing in Europe, behind only the Netherlands.

This approach has allowed the real estate market to maintain affordability without sacrificing construction quality. In addition, working with non-profit cooperatives to develop affordable housing has been instrumental in ensuring that various layers of the population can access decent homes, not only vulnerable people, but also professionals and middle-class families. This model of sustainable development has made Austria a benchmark for other countries interested in improving the quality of urban life and ensuring affordable housing for all.

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