What are Salzburg’s strict new Airbnb rules and how could they affect you?

Renting out your apartment on Airbnb can seem like a quick way to earn extra money—especially in a tourist hotspot like Salzburg. But recent efforts by the city’s authorities to stop the illegal use of apartments as holiday rentals have become significantly stricter and many short-term rentals are leaving the market.

So, what exactly has Salzburg done, why has it made these changes, and what does this mean for Airbnb hosts and renters in the city?

What are Salzburg’s new rules on Airbnb?

In response to rising concerns about housing shortages and unaffordable rents, the city of Salzburg has introduced a strict clampdown—known locally as “Aktion scharf“—targeting illegal short-term rentals. 

READ ALSO: EXPLAINED: What are the new Airbnb rules in Vienna?

Under these tightened rules, any apartment offered on Airbnb (or similar platforms like Booking.com) must be officially registered and specifically permitted for tourist letting. 

According to the City of Salzburg, legal Airbnb rentals are now strictly limited to certain properties, primarily those in agricultural buildings or those already approved before 2018. Properties in standard residential buildings with no special permission are prohibited from being used as holiday lets.

Additionally, short-term letting must always be registered with the city’s tax office, which administers local overnight stay taxes (Ortstaxe).

How strict are the new rules?

The rules are not new, but the increased checks and more active search for irregular properties are – and are very much working, the government says.

Since the red-red-green city government took office last year, the city has significantly expanded its investigative team, creating a specialised office to monitor and punish illegal short-term rentals, according to Der Standard.

According to Deputy Mayor Kay-Michael Dankl (KPÖ Plus), these efforts have already shown significant effects. Last year alone, the city processed around 692 cases related to short-term rental registration irregularities. The city also imposed fines totalling €168,000 in 2024, according to ORF Salzburg.

“The number of new registrations is falling, and cancellations are rising,” Dankl told Der Standard. “The initiative is working.”

Dankl believes penalties should be even higher, proposing fines of up to €50,000—following Vienna’s model—to make illegal short-term letting financially unattractive.

READ ALSO: Is finding a short-term rental the best option when you move to Austria?

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Who exactly can still rent out on Airbnb?

Under the current regulations, Airbnb rentals are permitted if the property was legally registered and rented before 2018 or is an agricultural residential property.

All other residential properties are off-limits, even if the host owns the apartment outright. That means if you’re renting a typical apartment in the city, you’re probably prohibited from listing it on Airbnb or similar sites.

Why has Salzburg introduced these strict rules?

Salzburg is battling a housing crisis, with rents rising sharply and affordable housing becoming increasingly scarce. 

Short-term rentals on Airbnb and similar platforms are widely blamed for making these issues even worse by removing apartments from the regular housing market.

According to Dankl, the crackdown aims to return these flats to regular tenants. “With these measures, these apartments can finally return to the housing market,” he told Der Standard.

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Could other Austrian cities follow Salzburg’s example?

It’s possible. Other Austrian municipalities are already expressing interest in Salzburg’s approach, Dankl said. He added that local governments frequently reach out for guidance.

You should take a few preventive steps if you currently rent a property on Airbnb or other short-term rental sites.

First, verify that your property meets the current criteria for short-term rentals. The city is investigating every suspected case, and simply claiming ignorance won’t protect you from fines.

READ ALSO: Is Vienna running out of rental apartments?

However, you must also ensure that your apartment is appropriately registered with the local authorities and the tax office and that you pay the city’s overnight stay tax (Ortstaxe).

You should switch to long-term letting if your property doesn’t qualify. Given the tough stance of city authorities, it may be the safest and financially wisest choice.

Housing availability remains a critical issue, so Salzburg’s tough new stance on Airbnb will likely remain. For hosts, careful compliance with the rules is essential to avoid expensive penalties.