How do you want to use VIENNA.AT?
Forest land in Austria is changing hands more often than before. Recent years have seen a noticeable rise in gifts and inheritances, especially in Lower Austria, Burgenland, and Vorarlberg. At the same time, prices for woodland have climbed sharply in several regions over the past decade and a half.
Between 2009 and 2025, over 1.24 billion square metres of Austrian forest were bought, sold, or transferred. The trend has been particularly strong in Burgenland, where districts like Oberwart, Güssing, and Jennersdorf led the way in woodland purchases last year. Private buyers dominated the market, making up more than 90 percent of transactions. The average age of these investors stood at 48.
Land prices have surged in some areas. Salzburg saw the steepest increase, with values jumping by 46 percent over 15 years. Vorarlberg followed with a 33 percent rise, while Lower Austria experienced a 25 percent climb. Despite the growing activity, no official figures exist on how many Austrians have received forest land as gifts or inheritances in recent times. The shift in ownership reflects a broader interest in woodland, though exact regional patterns for inheritances remain unclear. Public records do not provide details on which areas see the most transfers through family or legal means.
The demand for forest land continues to grow, driven largely by private buyers in their late 40s. With prices rising steadily in key regions, the market shows no signs of slowing down. Over 1.24 billion square metres of woodland have already changed ownership since 2009, marking a significant shift in Austria’s rural landscape.
