New-build prices in Vienna are one of the most common questions buyers bring to us in 2026. After the price correction of 2022–2024, many expected apartments in new buildings to keep getting cheaper, but the market took a different path. According to Statistik Austria, Austria’s house price index reached an all-time high in the second quarter of 2026, surpassing the 2022 peak for the first time. New builds are no exception: the price per square metre in Vienna is rising again, though more slowly than the Austrian average. In this article we explain what a new-build apartment in Vienna costs today, why prices are not falling despite high interest rates, and what will happen to supply in the coming years. We rely on the latest reports from Statistik Austria, Exploreal and the Austrian Economic Chamber, so you see real figures instead of rumours. You will also learn where buyers still have room to negotiate, and at the end you will find a calculation comparing a new-build apartment with a resale apartment. All information is current as of October 2026.
What new-build apartments in Vienna cost in 2026
According to the First Austrian New-Build Report (prepared by Exploreal for the real estate professionals’ association of the Austrian Economic Chamber, WKO), the average asking price for a new-build apartment in Vienna in the second quarter of 2026 was €7,257/m². That is 1.5% more than a year earlier and 1.7% more than in the first quarter. Across Austria as a whole, new builds rose more strongly, by 4.2%, to €6,694/m². Vienna remains one of the most expensive markets in the country, but prices here are rising more slowly than the Austrian average.
Official statistics confirm the overall picture. As Statistik Austria reports, new housing in Austria became 3.8% more expensive in the first half of 2026 and 4.9% more expensive year on year in the second quarter. It is important to understand that Exploreal’s prices are developers’ asking prices, not final transaction prices, so the actual purchase price may be lower. The differences by location are also large: according to EHL data reported by Leadersnet, a first-occupancy apartment in Vienna costs roughly €5,900 to €8,100/m² depending on the district and the fit-out.
Why new builds are not getting cheaper: costs and scarcity
There are two main reasons. The first is construction costs. According to the Statistik Austria construction cost index, residential construction costs in July 2026 were 5.2% higher than a year earlier. A developer cannot sell apartments below cost, so the price floor for new builds is gradually rising. The second reason is that fewer new apartments are being built. In 2025, Austria approved only 31,979 apartments in new buildings, the lowest figure since records began in 2010. What was not approved yesterday will not be built tomorrow.
| Year | New apartments in Vienna (Exploreal data and forecast) | Change on previous year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | ≈ 11,000 | ≈ −20% |
| 2026 | ≈ 12,100 | ≈ +10% |
| 2027 | ≈ 9,600 | ≈ −21% |
So, according to Exploreal’s forecast, 2026 is only a brief recovery, after which the number of new apartments will fall again. Other analysts are even more cautious: EHL expects about 8,300 apartments in Vienna in 2026 and 8,200 in 2027. With such scarcity, rents are rising too: according to Exploreal, rent in new buildings in Vienna averages €17.69/m² and has risen by 7.9% in a year. For investors this supports returns, but for buyers it means there is no reason to expect a significant fall in new-build prices. Loan rates are not falling either: the European Central Bank raised rates twice in 2026, and the deposit rate now stands at 2.50%.
What this means for buyers
Even in a rising market, buyers of new-build apartments still have leverage. The most room for negotiation is with apartments that a developer sells after completion, and with the last apartments in a project: here discounts, a parking space or a free kitchen are possible. We looked at which season is best for negotiating in our article “Vienna market seasonality: when is the best time to buy an apartment”. In the early stages of construction the price is usually lower, but the buyer waits longer for the keys, and their money is protected by the Property Developers Contract Act (BTVG). We explained how this protection works and why payments should be made in stages in our article on escrow accounts and the BTVG, and set out a step-by-step plan in our piece on buying an apartment during construction.
Two changes in 2026 are also worth keeping in mind. On 30 June the exemption from Grundbuch registration fees for owner-occupied homes ended, so 1.1% of the price and 1.2% of the loan amount are once again payable in full. At the same time, new builds have an advantage in energy efficiency: the energy certificate class directly affects heating costs and how the bank and future buyers will value the apartment. We explained why this matters in our article on energy efficiency of homes in Austria.
Case study: Olha chooses between a new build and a resale apartment
Olha is looking for a 70 m² apartment to live in herself. She compares a new build at the average asking price in Vienna (€7,257/m²) with a resale apartment at the median transaction price for 2025 according to Statistik Austria (€5,212/m²), which would need renovation at around €1,000/m². The two prices come from different sources: the first is a 2026 asking price for new builds, the second an actual transaction price across all apartments in 2025, so the calculation only shows the order of magnitude of the difference. We calculate the additional costs using the same method as in our article on the 7 mistakes that cost apartment buyers thousands of euros: 9.7% of the price plus 1.2% of the loan amount. The loan is 80% of the price over 30 years at 3.4%, and the renovation is paid from own funds.
| Item | New build | Resale + renovation |
|---|---|---|
| Price (70 m²) | €507,990 | €364,840 |
| Additional costs (9.7% of the price) | €49,275 | €35,389 |
| Mortgage registration fee (1.2% of the loan) | €4,877 | €3,502 |
| Renovation (≈ €1,000/m²) | — | €70,000 |
| Equity required | €155,750 | €181,860 |
| Monthly loan payment | €1,802 | €1,294 |
| Total cost of the purchase (excluding loan interest) | €562,142 | €473,732 |
Even with the renovation, the resale apartment costs Olha about €88,000 less, and the monthly payment is €508 lower. However, she needs about €26,000 more equity at the start, because in this calculation she pays for the renovation herself, and it will take several months. The new build, in return, offers a better energy efficiency class, the developer’s warranty and no major building repair costs in the coming years. Olha decided to look for a new build in a lower-priced district: we wrote about where to find such projects in our article on new builds in Donaustadt.
Conclusion: what lies ahead for new-build prices in Vienna
New-build prices in Vienna are rising moderately in 2026, by about 1.5% a year. High construction costs, a record-low number of permits in Austria and fewer new apartments after 2026 give no reason to expect a significant drop in prices. For buyers, this means the advantage lies in choosing the right project, construction stage and district, and in negotiating on completed apartments that are still on sale.
At VigoImmobilien we help buyers find new-build apartments where the price matches the quality and location. We prepare a market price assessment (Marktpreiseinschätzung) to compare the developer’s offer with the market, check the contract and the BTVG payment schedule, negotiate discounts or extras and support you through to signing at the notary, while coordinating legal questions with a lawyer or notary. Find out more in our article on the services of a real estate agent in Austria.
This article contains general information as of October 2026 and is not financial, legal or tax advice. The calculations are illustrative; loan terms depend on the bank, and prices of individual projects may differ significantly from the averages.
