Those looking for a suitable property for their business in the Austrian capital face many questions and options. Vienna is, as the economic center of Austria, a sought-after location for offices, retail spaces and other commercial premises.

• Definition & Variety: Commercial properties include offices, retail premises, warehouses, medical practices and law firms – they are a central component of Vienna’s economic location.
• Cost Structure: Rent consists of net rent, operating costs and 20% VAT; additionally, security deposits of 3–6 months’ rent are often required and broker commission may apply.
• Area & Amenities: Besides the square meter area, the room layout, IT cabling, sanitary facilities, heating/air conditioning as well as accessible access and an elevator are decisive.
• Location Factors: Central districts offer prestige but are expensive; peripheral locations such as business parks are cheaper and suitable for logistics, production or large spaces.
• Duties & Formalities: A valid energy performance certificate is mandatory, and many properties are offered through brokers – they make the search easier but incur additional costs.

The term commercial property refers to all properties used for commercial purposes. This includes office space, retail space for shops or gastronomy, warehouses and production facilities as well as practice spaces (e.g. medical practices) and law firms. All of these objects are considered commercial properties because they are not for living, but intended for businesses.

In Vienna, as a vibrant economic location, rental properties for commercial use are particularly relevant. The city offers both representative historic offices in the city center and modern office towers in prime locations. At the same time, there are large areas for logistics, storage and production on the outskirts and in industrial zones.

This variety of property types and locations makes Vienna attractive for companies from a wide range of industries. Renting a commercial property in Vienna therefore means choosing the right property from a broad offering according to industry, size and needs.

Listings for commercial properties usually state the net rent (base rent excluding operating costs and taxes). In addition, there are the monthly operating costs for building management, heating or cleaning.

Commercial rents are often shown plus value-added tax (VAT), usually 20%, provided the landlord is subject to VAT. The total rent — i.e. the amount actually payable — is calculated from net rent and operating costs. Depending on location, property type and equipment, the rent per square meter can vary greatly.

Area and layout: A key feature is the size of the usable area (stated in square meters). The layout of the premises is also important. Does the property consist of several rooms or a large open space?

A well-thought-out room concept – whether an open-plan office or subdivided offices – significantly influences the working atmosphere. Open spaces promote communication, while separate rooms provide more quiet for focused work.

Equipment and infrastructure: Equipment of a commercial property includes all technical and structural features that make use comfortable. These include, for example, available heating and air conditioning, modern technical facilities such as IT cabling and sufficient sanitary facilities (private toilets). In multi-storey buildings, a passenger lift and accessible entrances are important features.

Location and surroundings also play a role: good infrastructure — for example proximity to public transport, motorway connections or customer parking — increases the location’s value. Parking spaces for customers and employees (parking lots or an underground garage) can be a major advantage, especially for offices and shops.

Extras such as a terrace, bright rooms with plenty of daylight or a pleasant view from the window increase attractiveness but are not available for every property. Tenants should also pay attention to the building: Is the commercial space on the ground floor (ideal for retail with high visibility) or on an upper floor?

Does the building have multiple floors and how are they connected? Such factors can be decisive depending on the type of use. Last but not least, the energy performance certificate is an important point: it indicates the building’s energy efficiency and must be presented by the landlord when the lease is signed.

Vienna is divided into 23 districts, ranging from the historic center to peripheral industrial areas. The location of a commercial property is one of the most important influencing factors on its suitability and the rental price.

In central districts (the inner city and surrounding areas), prestigious addresses are particularly sought after — many company headquarters, law firms and businesses that value prestige are located here. Such prime locations offer proximity to decision-makers and customers, but rents are correspondingly higher.

In the outer districts and on the outskirts, tenants benefit from larger space at comparatively lower cost. There are often modern business parks or areas with lots of space available there, ideal for storage and production.

Depending on the property type, different location factors play a role. Offices and practices (e.g. medical practices) should be easily accessible for employees as well as customers or patients. A central location with good public transport connections (subway, bus) and infrastructure such as nearby restaurants can improve working quality.

Retail premises and shops also require high visibility and customer footfall — pedestrian zones or shopping streets in busy districts are optimal here. For logistics and production companies, transport-related aspects are more important: proximity to motorways, access for trucks and sufficient outdoor space. Thus, each industry has its own requirements for the location of a commercial property in Vienna, and the city offers suitable sites for almost every district.