Innsbruck

Innsbruck’s city administration is actively targeting affordable and sustainable housing through several significant programs and investments. The most prominent initiative is the partnership with the European Investment Bank (EIB) and local savings banks, mobilizing up to €150 million for constructing around 750 new affordable and energy-efficient rental flats by 2028. These homes will adhere to high energy-efficiency standards, contributing to climate goals and ensuring rent levels remain accessible for low- and middle-income residents.

A key focus is integrating climate action, with at least 25% of new investments dedicated to sustainability and environmental measures. Recent construction projects, especially those led by the nonprofit developer Neue Heimat Tirol, prioritize energy efficiency, district heating, and photovoltaics, frequently exceeding national standards for building performance.

For students and vulnerable groups, dedicated projects are underway—including the development of modern student residences equipped with communal spaces and green technologies, aiming to relieve pressure on the housing market and offer affordable, climate-friendly accommodation.

Regional programs such as the WOHNRAUM support scheme have seen significant funding increases, with efforts to stimulate housing construction and promote space-saving building practices. Municipal strategies are aligned with broader EU directives on sustainability and social inclusion, ensuring new housing contributes to integrated, balanced urban development.

Overall, Innsbruck’s communicated targets are to expand the affordable rental stock, prioritize sustainability, promote energy efficiency, and address the needs of disadvantaged groups by blending social, environmental, and economic objectives in housing policy.

Innsbruck’s housing market remains highly competitive in 2025, with strong demand and limited supply continuing to push prices upward. The average purchase price for apartments is currently around 5,500 to 6,000 euros per square meter, depending on location. Rental prices for long-term accommodation average about 15–18 euros per square meter per month. Currently, about 70% of Innsbruck residents are renters, while only 30% are homeowners—making it a predominantly rental city. Publicly owned and subsidized housing (often called “social housing”) plays a significant role, though not as large as in Vienna. Public and social housing together constitute roughly 25–30% of the city’s housing stock. In the Austrian context, “public housing” (gemeindebau) is strictly city-owned and operated, while “social housing” also encompasses developments by limited-profit housing associations supported by public funding. Both types serve to maintain affordability and social integration, but social housing may include private or cooperative ownership models, not just city-owned units. Recent years have seen a slowdown in new construction, especially for owner-occupied housing, due to high costs and stricter regulations, further tightening the market. Overall, public and social housing remain crucial to Innsbruck’s housing mix, helping to buffer rent increases and ensure access to affordable homes for a diverse population. All figures are in euros.