Vorarlberg Land Transfer Act
Agricultural and Forestry Land Transactions in the State of Vorarlberg
The acquisition of agricultural and forestry land in Vorarlberg is generally subject to approval. If the acquirer is not a farmer, the acquisition must also be reported.
Exceptions to this include:
- Acquisitions with an area of less than 0.1 ha
- Acquisitions by the state or the municipality
- Acquisitions due to a forced sale or by inheritance
- Acquisitions of land designated as prospective building land
- Acquisitions for the purpose of changing co-ownership shares
Acquisitions of ownership are generally to be approved if the public interest in the preservation of agricultural or forestry land is met, and if:
- the creation, preservation, and strengthening of an efficient farming community, or
- the preservation or creation of economically viable landholdings is ensured.
Exceptions to land transfer authority approval (exceptions apply to agricultural and forestry land transactions, building land transactions, and foreign acquisitions):
- Acquisitions between relatives
- Acquisitions between spouses and registered partners, even after the dissolution of the marriage/registered partnership in the course of asset division
- Acquisitions by reason of death
- Acquisitions within the scope of hospitality accommodation
- Acquisitions for measures related to public transport, public safety, and public energy supply
- Exceptions to the provisions of Sections 13 and 15 of the Land Partition Act
- Acquisitions of agricultural and forestry land up to a maximum area of 300m², provided that a required permit for the division has been granted
Building Land Transactions in the State of Vorarlberg
The acquisition of building land in Vorarlberg requires a declaration from the buyer to develop it within 10 years. Exempt from this declaration requirement are:
- The acquisition of land by a natural person with an area of up to 800m²
- The single acquisition of land by a business of an immediately adjacent undeveloped building plot up to 3,000m², if it is suitable for business expansion.
- The acquisition of undeveloped building plots which, due to their size, shape, or location, are not suitable for orderly development.
Exceptions to land transfer authority approval (exceptions apply to agricultural and forestry land transactions, building land transactions, and foreign acquisitions):
- Acquisitions between relatives
- Acquisitions between spouses and registered partners, even after the dissolution of the marriage/registered partnership in the course of asset division
- Acquisitions by reason of death
- Acquisitions within the scope of hospitality accommodation
- Acquisitions for measures related to public transport, public safety, and public energy supply
- Exceptions to the provisions of Sections 13 and 15 of the Land Partition Act
- Acquisitions of agricultural and forestry land up to a maximum area of 300m², provided that a required permit for the division has been granted
Foreign Acquisition in the State of Vorarlberg
The acquisition of land by foreign persons in the State of Vorarlberg is subject to approval. The acquisition may only be approved if state policy interests are not prejudiced and a cultural or national economic interest in the acquisition exists.
Exceptions to land transfer authority approval (exceptions apply to agricultural and forestry land transactions, building land transactions, and foreign acquisitions):
- Acquisitions between relatives
- Acquisitions between spouses and registered partners, even after the dissolution of the marriage/registered partnership in the course of asset division
- Acquisitions by reason of death
- Acquisitions within the scope of hospitality accommodation
- Acquisitions for measures related to public transport, public safety, and public energy supply
- Exceptions to the provisions of Sections 13 and 15 of the Land Partition Act
- Acquisitions of agricultural and forestry land up to a maximum area of 300m², provided that a required permit for the division has been granted
