"Temporary apartment Vienna" is what most people search when they move to the city: a furnished place for the first weeks or months, with an address to register at while their own flat is not yet sorted. That is the honest purpose of a temporary apartment (Übergangswohnung), the first Vienna address. Whether you are relocating from Germany or moving within Austria, two things come first: a roof with the option to register, and the time to search calmly. Here is how it works.
What is a temporary apartment, and when do you need one?
A temporary apartment is furnished accommodation for the time between arrival and your own flat: fully equipped, no deposit, no long contract, with the option to register. You need one when you move to Vienna but only start looking for your own flat, when the job starts before the flat handover, or when you want to get to know the city before committing to a district. Instead of living in a hotel or signing a lease in a rush, you bridge the first weeks to months in a furnished apartment. A serviced apartment is the cleanest form, because you can register there, usually within 3 working days.
The first Vienna address: Meldezettel and main residence
In Austria you need a registered address for almost everything: a bank account, a phone contract, official matters. Registration happens within 3 working days of moving in, and the host co-signs. For anyone new to Vienna this is the real bottleneck: no address, no registration; no registration, no account. A private short-term let or a hostel often does not allow registration. In a host-run serviced apartment the signature on the Meldezettel is a single step, and for a longer stay the first Vienna address can be your main residence (Hauptwohnsitz) straight away. The logistics of moving and flat-hunting are in the long-stay and relocation guide.
Moving to Austria: can an EU citizen simply relocate to Vienna?
Yes. As an EU citizen, which includes Germans, you have freedom of movement: you may move to Austria, live, and work here without a visa. For the first three months a valid ID is enough. For a stay of more than three months you also need a registration certificate (Anmeldebescheinigung), which you apply for at the responsible authority; the official information is on oesterreich.gv.at (as of 2026). This is orientation, not legal advice. In practice the first hurdle is rarely the law but the address you register at, and that is exactly what a temporary apartment solves. How much life in Vienna costs is worked out in the Vienna budget guide.
Temporary apartment or rent a flat straight away?
Honestly: anyone who already knows the district they want, and finds a flat quickly, needs no bridge. Your own rental is cheaper over the months, once the deposit and furnishing spread out. The temporary apartment pays off for the typical gap: the first weeks to few months when you need an address but do not yet want to be tied down. Beyond 3 continuous months the Ortstaxe also falls away, and the sum tilts towards your own flat. The monthly terms for furnished apartments are in the monthly rates, and the three-month line in the long-term rental guide.
Temporary apartments at the Naschmarkt: MINT
MINT @Naschmarkt works as a first Vienna address: furnished serviced apartments right at the Naschmarkt in the 6th district, with a full kitchen, self-check-in, and the option to register, with no deposit. Five units:
- Mini MINT, 35 m² for 2 guests, from 185 euro per night. Check availability
- Double MINT, 55 m² for 3 guests, from 205 euro. Check availability
- Double MINT with balcony, 55 m² for 3 guests, from 215 euro. Check availability
- MINT Artisan, 65 m² for 4 guests, from 185 euro. Check availability
- Penthouse, 85 m² for 4 guests, from 375 euro. Check availability
From the airport the CAT brings you to Wien Mitte in 16 minutes, from there one U4 to Kettenbrückengasse, no change. The Ortstaxe has stood at 5 percent since 1 July 2026 and applies up to a continuous stay of three months. There is no private parking and no 24-hour reception, but there is self-check-in and a direct contact.
FAQ
What is a temporary apartment? Furnished accommodation for the time between arrival and your own flat: fully equipped, no deposit, no long contract, with the option to register. It bridges the first weeks to months after a move.
Can an EU citizen simply move to Austria? Yes. As an EU citizen, which includes Germans, you have freedom of movement: you may move to Austria, live, and work here without a visa. For the first three months a valid ID is enough; for a longer stay a registration certificate (Anmeldebescheinigung) is added. This is orientation, not legal advice (as of 2026).
Can a foreigner rent an apartment in Vienna? Yes. For a serviced apartment you need no Austrian residence and no credit check; you book as at a hotel. A conventional lease follows the usual deposit-and-contract terms.
How do I register in Vienna? Registration happens within 3 working days of moving in, with the Meldezettel, and the host co-signs. In a host-run serviced apartment that is a single step, and since 2024 also digital.
How long can you stay in a temporary apartment? As long as you like. As commercial accommodation there is no statutory upper limit, from one night to several months. Beyond three months the Vienna Ortstaxe falls away.
What does a temporary apartment in Vienna cost? It depends on the unit and the duration. The MINT apartments at the Naschmarkt start at 185 euro per night, with separate terms for longer stays shown during booking.
Temporary apartment or rent a flat straight away? For the first weeks to few months, the temporary apartment, because you need an address but want to stay flexible. Beyond three months your own flat becomes cheaper on running costs.
Is Ortstaxe charged on a temporary apartment? Yes. In Vienna the Ortstaxe has stood at 5 percent since 1 July 2026 and applies up to a continuous stay of three months. Beyond three months it no longer applies.
