Rooms to Rent in Salzburg

Renting a shared-room in Salzburg is an attractive option for many students and young professionals. Salzburg not only offers a picturesque old town with numerous sights, but also renowned universities and universities of applied sciences. At the same time, rents here are comparatively high, which is why a shared flat (WG) is a popular and more affordable form of housing.

• What is meant by a WG room in Salzburg and why is it relevant? A WG room in Salzburg is a single bedroom in a shared apartment where the kitchen, bathroom and sometimes the living room are shared by all housemates. This form of living is particularly popular with students and young professionals because it saves costs and at the same time offers the opportunity to quickly make new contacts.
• What furnishings are common in a WG room? The furnishings of a WG room vary depending on the offer: some rooms are fully furnished with a bed, desk and wardrobe, others are unfurnished so you need to bring your own furniture. In almost all WGs there is a communal kitchen, laundry facilities and Wi‑Fi, while electricity and internet costs are often split separately.
• Where are typical locations for WG rooms in Salzburg? Popular locations for WG rooms are the old town and neighborhoods near universities, as these offer short distances to lectures, cafés and leisure facilities. If you are looking for a cheaper room, you can also find offers on the city outskirts or in districts like Itzling, which still provide quick connections to the center thanks to good bus and bike links.
• Why is renting a WG room often cheaper than a private apartment? A WG room is usually significantly cheaper than a studio apartment because several people share the total rent and ancillary costs. Especially in Salzburg, where rents are high, living in a WG is an attractive way to keep monthly housing costs manageable without giving up central locations.
• What should you pay attention to when renting a WG room? It is important to check the details of the rental agreement, in particular the amount of the deposit, the duration of the tenancy and the arrangement of ancillary costs. Also check whether the room is furnished, what the apartment’s amenities are, and whether the housemates fit your lifestyle, because harmonious coexistence is crucial for the quality of life in a WG.

A WG room is a single room in an apartment that you share with housemates. That means you occupy your own bedroom and use shared spaces like the kitchen, bathroom and possibly a living room together with the other residents.

Every year many new people move to Salzburg for studies or a new job. For them, a WG room is often the first choice to quickly make contacts and save on rent.

Salzburg is known for its high quality of life – and unfortunately also for high rents. Renting an apartment on your own can become expensive, as operating costs and heating push housing costs even higher. In comparison, a room in a shared flat is usually significantly cheaper than a one-room apartment. Especially if you are new to Salzburg, you can save money and become part of a small community right away.

Many students and young professionals also appreciate the central locations of many WGs: they are often near universities or in the city center, so many places can be reached within minutes by foot or by bike. This way you benefit from city life and can get everywhere quickly – whether to lectures, work or the sights of the Mozart city.

What should not be missing in a Salzburg WG room? First of all, a WG room is usually either furnished, partly furnished or completely empty, depending on the offer. Many rooms are rented furnished – meaning a bed, desk and wardrobe are often already provided. Others are unfurnished, so you bring your own furniture.

Check the listing description to see which furnishings are provided. A bright room with a window and perhaps even a balcony or terrace is of course particularly popular. Some listings also advertise extras such as a nice mountain view or a quiet environment.

Besides the private room, WG residents share the communal areas. This usually includes a kitchen, often with a refrigerator, stove and basic appliances. A cozy living area may be present – however, in some WGs the living room is also used as an additional bedroom, especially in 3-room apartments, so that more people can move in.

The bathroom is also shared: in some apartments there is a shower, in others even a bathtub. WC and bathroom are either in the same room or separate. Laundry facilities are also important: many WGs have a washing machine in the apartment or access to a communal laundry room in the building. A small storage room or cellar compartment is sometimes also available to store suitcases, sports equipment or other items.

Regarding the ancillary costs, you should pay attention to what is already included in the rent. Usually the rent is either quoted as warm rent – which includes operating costs and often heating – or as cold rent, to which additional costs are added. Electricity and internet (Wi‑Fi) often have to be paid extra in WGs and split among the housemates if they are not included in the operating costs.

Another feature of a WG room is the matter of the contract and deposit. Often you move in with someone who is the main tenant of the apartment and become a subtenant. In such cases, similar rules generally apply as for a regular rental. Usually a deposit is required – commonly two to three months’ rent.

You will get this back at the end provided no damages have occurred. Ideally you should sign a written rental agreement, even if it is “only” a sublease. It can regulate everything important: rent, duration of tenancy, notice periods and any fixed term.

The location of an apartment is an important factor for the rent in Salzburg. Popular areas for WGs include the old town and adjacent neighborhoods, because you are in the middle of the action. There you live close to cafés, university buildings, the Salzach River and many hotspots of the city.

However, central locations are also more expensive. Living a little outside the city center can be considerably cheaper, and thanks to good bus connections and bike paths you are still 15–20 minutes from the center. Bus stops are almost everywhere within reach in Salzburg, which makes the daily commute to university or work easier.

An example of a popular student neighborhood is Itzling. This quarter is north of the old town and hosts a campus of the Faculty of Natural Sciences. Here you will find comparatively many WGs, often at slightly more moderate prices than directly in the historic center.

In general: an apartment near the university or with good transport connections is ideal, but WGs on the city outskirts with views of greenery or the mountains also have their appeal – especially if you value peace and might enjoy a mountain view from the window.

Besides location, the type of WG and the residents also play a role. In Salzburg there are a wide variety of WG types: classic student WGs where everyone studies at university, mixed WGs of students and young professionals, or also WGs made up entirely of working professionals.

Depending on the composition, everyday life in the WG can look different – in a pure student WG it might be livelier, while in a working-professional WG evenings are often quieter because everyone has to get up early for work. So think about what suits you best.

The size of the WG also varies: some WGs consist of only two people (e.g. in a 2-room apartment), others of four or more people in a large apartment or house. Accordingly, the categories of offers can differ – property portals often use categories like room, apartment or house to describe the type of property.

Many people looking for accommodation in Salzburg ask themselves this question. A one-room apartment (also called a studio apartment) means you live alone – usually in a small flat where living and sleeping areas are combined, with your own kitchen and bathroom. That offers maximum privacy, but is often very expensive in Salzburg.

A WG room, on the other hand, offers less privacy but you share costs with others. For many, a shared flat is a transitional solution during their studies or in the first years of work, until they can perhaps later afford their own apartment. Many also simply enjoy cooking together or spending evenings together instead of living alone.

• Popular with students: Because of the university, UAS and Mozarteum, the WG is one of the most common forms of housing. Young professionals also like to use it as an entry-level option.
• Rent prices: Warm rent usually 400–600 €, simple rooms on the city outskirts from about 300 €. Searching early is worthwhile.
• Deposit & contract: Commonly 2–3 months’ rent as a deposit. A written rental agreement provides security; legally similar rules apply as for main tenants.
• Fixed terms common: Many rooms are only free for a few months (e.g. for a semester abroad). Unlimited tenancy is also possible.
• More than housing: WGs offer social contacts, tips for newcomers and shared costs – but also require willingness to compromise in daily life.