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Affordable housing: EU Commissioner Jørgensen sees Vienna as a model

by AI | 23.Dec 2025 | Europe in brief AI

EU Commissioner Dan Jørgensen is to combat the housing crisis in Europe. At a meeting with Mayor Michael Ludwig, he praised Vienna’s housing policy. Both consider short-term rentals for tourist purposes to be a problem.

Archive image - EU Commissioner Dan Jørgensen wants to make affordable housing possible. Photo: Nicolas Tucat/AFP

Vienna (APA) – The EU Commissioner for Energy and Housing, the Dane Dan Jørgensen, on Friday described Vienna’s housing policy as a model. It could serve as an inspiration for other cities, he said after a meeting with Vienna’s mayor Michael Ludwig – at which Jørgensen presented the EU plan for affordable housing. Europe is facing a housing crisis that is also a social crisis, the EU Commissioner warned.

So far, the issue has not been particularly high on the agenda of the European Union, the guest emphasized. That has now changed. After all, millions of citizens are affected and cannot live in adequate housing. For example, everyone should be able to live near their place of work, which is becoming increasingly difficult in many cities.

Creating housing as a challenge

“The EU is also there for people’s concerns,” Jørgensen assured. When it comes to housing, Vienna has been a model for more than 100 years. Mayor Ludwig, in turn, expressed his satisfaction that the EU is taking up the issue and has now also set up a department for it. The Commission’s plan for affordable housing is also important: “It is a first strong move.”

Jørgensen and Ludwig agreed that, above all, the creation of housing – even in times of tight budgets – is necessary. According to the EU Commission, around 650,000 apartments would have to be built in the Union in addition to the current level of around 1.6 million units. The additional properties would cost around 150 billion euros, it was said today.

No privatizations in Vienna

The mayor further reaffirmed that there are no plans for privatizations. No municipal apartments are being sold; instead, new ones are even being built, he stressed. In addition, it is also about creating framework conditions for the commercial sector.

Both considered short-term rentals of apartments for tourist purposes to be a problem. Ludwig expressed his conviction that Vienna is also setting a good example here. He pointed out that apartments may only be offered on the platforms for a maximum of 90 days per year.

With regard to a possible vacancy tax, however, he was skeptical. Expectations should not be set too high here. It is difficult to check or define vacancy, Ludwig cautioned. (19.12.2025)

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