Lending in Austria: Hope for Häuslbauer from 2025!

Lending in Austria: Hope for Häuslbauer from 2025!

Niederösterreich, Österreich - The strict regulations on the awarding of residential loans in Austria, known as the KIM regulation, are facing the end. From July 2025 it will be much easier for house builders to get a loan again. This is the result of the decision of the financial market stability committee (FMSG), which supports the view that the strict rules introduced in August 2022 have achieved their goals. In the past few months, banks have received fewer reclaims from borrowers, which has stabilized the situation in the banking sector, such as SN.AT reported .

Before the KIM regulation, this was different: borrowers had to apply at least 20 percent of their own funds, the term was limited to 35 years and the monthly rate was not allowed to exceed 40 percent of the net income. These requirements have led to a decline in lending in Lower Austria since the introduction. From 2,021 loans awarded in July 2022, the numbers fell to only 869 in September 2024, reported noe.orf.at . Industry representatives celebrate the expiry of the regulation as a great relief, since the strict regulations were regarded as a significant hurdle for real estate acquisition. The chairman of the real estate association expressed that the guidelines had massively hindered the acquisition of property and the end of which was "very gratifying".

praise and criticism

Finance Minister Gunter Mayr expects that the flexibility in lending will increase again with the expiry of the KIM regulation and that the acquisition of residential property is facilitated. Lower Austrian politicians, such as Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner, also welcome this development as a positive news for Häuslbauer. However, critical voices, such as those of Greens MP Nina Tomaselli, warn of the high risks associated with a loss of strict rules, especially in times of rising real estate prices.

The FMSG has clarified that strict lending standards will have to be observed in the future. Further measures such as guidelines and additional capital buffers are to be checked to ensure the stability of the financial market. The anti -cyclical capital buffer will also play a role to react appropriately to the economic situation and to facilitate lending in difficult times.