Do You Need Home Insurance in Austria? A Complete Guide for Renters and Property Owners

05 May 2025

Is Home Insurance Legally Required in Austria?

From a legal standpoint, Haushaltsversicherung (household contents insurance) and Privathaftpflichtversicherung (personal liability insurance) are not mandatory by law.

However, in practice, these types of insurance are often required by landlords or mortgage lenders, and lacking coverage can result in significant financial loss if something goes wrong.

Key Types of Home Insurance in Austria

1. Haushaltsversicherung — Household Contents Insurance

This insurance covers damage or loss to your personal property inside the home, such as:

Furniture, appliances, electronics
Clothing and personal belongings
Theft, fire, flooding, natural disasters
Broken windows, doors, or locks

Strongly recommended for tenants. Many landlords specifically require this insurance in the rental agreement.

2. Haftpflichtversicherung — Personal Liability Insurance

Covers accidental damage you cause to other people or their property, including:

Flooding a neighbor’s apartment (e.g. from a broken washing machine)
Damage to rented furniture
Incidents involving children or pets that damage someone else’s property

Essential for renters, since without this coverage, you’ll be personally responsible for all damages.

3. Gebäudeversicherung — Building Insurance (for Property Owners)

If you own a property (house, apartment, or investment real estate) in Austria, you’ll need building insurance to protect against:

Fire, explosions
Storms, hail, flooding
Vandalism and natural disasters

In most cases, this insurance is arranged automatically through the bank when purchasing a property via mortgage.

Combined Insurance Packages

Many insurers offer bundled packages that include:

Household insurance (Haushaltsversicherung)
Liability insurance (Haftpflichtversicherung)
Legal protection insurance (Rechtsschutzversicherung)

These are convenient and cost-effective, especially for:

Expats
Families with children
Renters of high-end apartments
Self-employed individuals and entrepreneurs living in Austria

Real-Life Insurance Scenarios

You’re renting an apartment in Vienna, and your dishwasher floods the unit below — your liability insurance covers the damage.
Your apartment in Graz is damaged in a fire — household insurance pays for the furniture and appliance repairs.
You own an investment property in Salzburg, and a storm damages the roof — building insurance covers the repair costs.

Home Insurance Costs in Austria (2025)

Type of Insurance: Household Insurance
Average Monthly Cost (2025): from €10 to €25
Type of Insurance: Liability Insurance
Average Monthly Cost (2025): from €5 to €15
Type of Insurance: Building Insurance
Average Monthly Cost (2025): from €20 to €50 (for owners)
Type of Insurance: Combined Insurance Package
Average Monthly Cost (2025): from €20 to €40

Prices vary depending on:

Size of your home or apartment
Location (e.g. Vienna vs. Tyrol)
Type and value of furnishings, electronics, or antiques
Coverage level and extra options

Tips for Expats and Foreigners

Before moving in, ask your landlord if insurance is required (in 90% of cases, the answer is yes).
If you’re buying property to live in or rent out, make sure to arrange building insurance immediately.
For short-term rentals (under 6 months), look for flexible policies.
Compare offers using insurance comparison platforms like: Durchblicker.at, Check24.at, Versichern24.at
Major companies like UNIQA, Wiener Städtische, Allianz, and Helvetia offer English-speaking support, which is ideal for expats.

Conclusion: Home Insurance in Austria Is More Than Just a Formality

Whether you’re:

An expat moving to Austria with your family
A freelancer renting a studio in Vienna
An entrepreneur investing in property

The right home insurance policy protects you from high costs and legal trouble. It offers peace of mind when the unexpected happens — and helps ensure a smooth life in one of Europe’s safest countries.