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LIVING IN AUSTRIA

Barbecues, nudity and smoking: What am I allowed to do on my balcony in Austria?

During the summer months, it may seem that every Austrian lives exclusively on their balconies - doing all sorts of activities outdoors. But what is and isn't allowed?

Published: 13 July 2023 14:50 CEST
Updated: 30 April 2024 14:41 CEST
Barbecues, nudity and smoking: What am I allowed to do on my balcony in Austria?

Summertime in Austria is synonymous with outdoor activities, not only in parks and lakes, but people spend a fair amount of time at home on balconies and terraces. 

From sunbathing to barbecues to late-night drinks, balconies are where many Austrians go to enjoy the warmer weather and escape the heat of their apartments. But what are the rules around what you can and can’t do on your balcony?

Barbecues

There are no Austrian laws that expressly prohibit barbecues on balconies. However, some factors can affect whether or not you are allowed to have a BBQ on your balcony, including your tenancy agreement and the impact of your event on your neighbours.

If your tenancy agreement prohibits BBQs, you must comply with the clause, or you may face consequences, such as a formal warning or even termination of your lease.

Even if your tenancy agreement does not prohibit barbecues, you may still be restricted from having one if it has a negative impact on your neighbours. For example, if the smoke enters your neighbours’ homes, they may be able to complain to you or your landlord.

Some tenancy agreements may prohibit using certain types of grills, such as charcoal grills. If this is the case, you may be able to use an electric or gas grill instead. These grills do not produce smoke, which can help reduce the impact on surrounding apartments and make coexistence easier.

Ultimately, if your grill is causing your neighbours a nuisance, they may complain to you or your landlord. In some cases, they may even be able to take legal action against you.

READ MORE: Can I have a barbecue on my balcony in Austria?

Nudity

There are no Austrian laws that specifically prohibit people from being naked in their own homes or on private property – including your balcony. Additionally, past case law has clearly expressed that being naked at home and on private property (no matter how visible) is not prohibited. 

However, there are laws on public decency, which can be applied if your neighbours file complaints against you based on “public nuisance”. The presence of children can be a factor in determining whether or not someone’s nakedness is considered indecent. 

If someone’s nakedness is considered indecent, they may be subject to a fine or other legal action. However, it is important to note that the law is not always clear-cut, and what is considered indecent can vary depending on the circumstances.

READ ALSO: Everything you need to know about getting naked in Austria

Smoking

Smoking has been considered by Austrian case law as a “customary activity” in Austria and cannot be banned in apartments, balconies or gardens. However, a 2016 Supreme Court case in Austria ruled in favour of a tenant who was suing his downstairs neighbour, who smoked cigars on his balcony.

Austria’s highest court determined that the plaintiff must be allowed to ventilate his apartment three times a day without being disturbed and must also be allowed to sleep with the window open during the summer months. With that, the court set specific times when the neighbour could not smoke (from 10 pm to 6 am during summer and during three “ventilation” times during the day).

Tenant’s organisations in Austria recommend talking to the neighbour if their smoking bothers you and trying to reach a solution out of court.

READ ALSO: ‘Everyone smokes’: The biggest culture shocks of moving to Austria

Loud music

Austria has “rest periods” that generally apply from 10 pm to 6 am and all day on Sundays and public holidays (though they differ in some cases from one province to another or depending on tenancy agreements). 

If your neighbours are being too loud during those hours, tenant organisations recommend first seeking a conversation – if nothing changes, a complaint can be filed with authorities because loud noises during rest periods are considered an administrative offence. 

READ ALSO: Living in Austria: What can I do about noisy neighbours?

If you are throwing a party, be mindful of those hours – try to keep it quiet or indoors after a specific time. It’s not uncommon for people in Austria to leave a note alerting their neighbours beforehand of an event or party they are throwing. But even if this gathers some sympathy from neighbours, it’s still important to be reasonable. 

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LIVING IN AUSTRIA

‘Haushaltsversicherung’: How does Austria’s home insurance work?

'Haushaltsversicherung' is one of Austria's most popular types of insurance. It is not mandatory, but it is certainly worth evaluating, especially as it comes with many possible add-ons.

Published: 2 May 2024 15:22 CEST
'Haushaltsversicherung': How does Austria's home insurance work?

Austrians are certainly obsessed with insurance coverage, and one of the most popular and common ones is known as the “Haushaltsversicherung”—if you don’t have it already, you have certainly heard of it. Here’s what you need to know about household insurance.

Firstly, this insurance covers damages to “all movable objects within your own four walls,” as Austria’s Chamber of Labour (AK) explains. This includes furniture, carpets, and electrical appliances. It would also cover damages caused by fire, storms, water, burglary, and glass breakage. 

Certain types of insurance, such as private liability insurance or mandatory dog liability insurance, are almost always combined with household insurance—another reason why the Haushaltsversicherung is so popular in Austria.

READ ALSO: What kind of insurance do I need to have in Austria?

However, there are enormous differences in premiums and benefits, so experts suggest you check precisely what you need before taking out insurance. The AK also says you should talk to an insurance advisor to learn more about your specific case and needs, particularly if you have any valuables in your home. 

Additionally, they said: “It makes sense to check your policy every few years to ensure that you are properly insured. This guarantees that the sums insured and the risks included are up-to-date and sufficient”.

What should I keep an eye on when reviewing policies?

Of course, different companies have their own offers, and they are often highly customisable to fit your apartment and lifestyle—some things you need to be aware of, though.

Certain policies are tied to the size of your apartment, while others will have a lump sum regardless of the size of your place. Policies also usually differ depending on whether you live in an apartment or a house. 

While most insurance will cover glass breakage (such as when a hail storm breaks your window, for example), some might have it as an add-on (wahlweise mit Glasbruch). 

You may also add other types of insurance to your household insurance, the most common being mandatory dog liability insurance (Hunde-Haftpflicht), legal insurance (Straf-Rechtsschutz), and sports insurance.

READ ALSO: Should I take out insurance before skiing in Austria?

It’s worth it to read each policy, but you should know some common clauses beforehand. For example, insurance often won’t cover burglary costs if your house has not been properly secured and locked. This might seem obvious, but since door knobs don’t open from the outside without the key, people often leave their homes, especially for short errands, and don’t lock the doors all the way. Insurance and safety experts recommend you get in the habit of locking your home doors.

It’s also important to check if your insurance will pay you “Neuwert” or “Zeitwert” in case of damage. 

A Neuwert means the insurance will pay for a replacement object, regardless of how old the stolen or broken one was. However, many insurance policies still contain the so-called “Zeitwert”, something like “current value”, so you wouldn’t receive an amount that could pay for a new product. Instead, a loss of value of around 10 percent per year could be expected for most objects.

What should I do if there is damage to my home?

If you see any damage to your home from burglary, accident or other types, you need to notify your insurer immediately and report the damage you have suffered. 

The insurance conditions usually stipulate a maximum period of three days for reporting a claim in property insurance. The Chamber of Labour also recommends that you send a written notification of the claim (preferably by registered mail, they add).

“Make a list of all items that have been destroyed or lost and enclose it with your report to both the insurer and the security authorities”, they said. And, of course, in the event of fire burglary or robbery, always inform the fire department or police authorities.

READ ALSO: EXPLAINED: The Austrian insurance for if you get sued – or want to sue someone

How long does the insurance last, and how much does it cost?

The insurance term is usually specified in the counteract. In general, though, you can terminate it after the third year with one month’s notice if the contract has not already expired.

If you move house or move abroad, you can terminate your household insurance contract. You can cancel the insurance the day before the move begins (preferably by registered letter).

If you do not exercise your right of termination, the insurance will remain valid during the move and in the new home.

Regarding prices, they can be as low as a few euros a month (such as insurance specifically tailored to students living in shared flats) to several hundred a month if you have a large place with plenty of valuables or include several add-ons. 

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