Ending Your Lease in Austria: Notice Periods, Form & Process (2026)

Moving out sounds simple — until you realise a wrong notice date can cost you an extra month's rent. In Austria, how and when you can end your lease depends above all on one thing: whether your contract is open-ended or fixed-term.

This guide explains the notice periods, the correct form, and the exact steps — so your termination is watertight and you don't pay a day longer than you have to.

First: is your contract fixed-term or open-ended?

Check your rental agreement ("Mietvertrag"). It's either:

• Open-ended ("unbefristet") — no end date. You can terminate any time, respecting the notice period.
• Fixed-term ("befristet") — a set end date (minimum three years for residential leases under the MRG). Early termination follows special rules (below).

Notice periods: how much lead time?

Open-ended contract

Under the Tenancy Act (MRG), you as the tenant can terminate with a minimum of one month's notice, always to the end of a calendar month. Many contracts set a longer period — commonly three months. The contract wins if it's longer than the legal minimum, so read the exact clause.

Fixed-term contract

A fixed-term residential lease locks you in at first — but not forever. The key rule: after the first year you may terminate early, with a three-month notice period, to the end of any month. So the earliest you can actually be out of a fixed-term lease is after roughly 15 months (12 months locked + 3 months' notice).

The right form: in writing, ideally by registered letter

A termination must be in writing. A phone call or a passing "I'm moving out" is not enough. Best practice:

• Send it as a registered letter ("Einschreiben") so you can prove it arrived, and when.
• Check your contract — some require a specific form (e.g. registered post) for the notice to be valid.
• State clearly: the address, the date you're giving notice, and your intended last day of the tenancy.

Step by step

1. Find your contract type and notice clause. Open-ended or fixed-term? What notice period does the contract state?
2. Calculate your termination date. Count the notice period to the end of a month — and don't forget the "after the first year" rule for fixed-term leases.
3. Write the termination letter. Include your name, the flat's address, the date, and your last day.
4. Send it by registered mail and keep the receipt.
5. Arrange the handover. Agree a date, and insist on a signed handover protocol with photos.

Don't forget the deposit and the final rent

Ending the lease cleanly is only half the job — the other half is getting your deposit back and proving you paid rent right up to the last day. This is where a complete record matters: whoever can show every payment holds the advantage in any dispute.

Mietto keeps that record for you: every rent payment logged with a receipt and confirmed by both sides, plus a clear tenancy timeline. When you hand back the keys, your payment history is already complete — no scrambling through old bank statements. (For the deposit itself, see our guide on getting your deposit back in Austria.)

Can the landlord terminate too?

Much harder. Under the full MRG, a landlord generally needs an important legal reason ("Kündigungsgrund") — such as serious rent arrears or major misuse of the flat — and usually has to go through the court. A landlord cannot simply end an open-ended lease because they feel like it. If you receive a termination, have it checked before you accept it.

Frequently asked questions

Can I leave a fixed-term lease in the first year?

Generally no — early termination is only possible after the first year, with three months' notice. Before that you're bound, unless you agree an early exit with the landlord (e.g. by providing a replacement tenant).

Does the notice period always run to month-end?

Typically yes — terminations take effect at the end of a calendar month. Send your letter early enough that it arrives before the deadline, not just posted on the last day.

What if I just move out without notice?

You stay liable for the rent until the lease is properly terminated. Leaving early without valid notice usually means you keep paying — so always terminate in writing.

This article provides general information and is not a substitute for legal advice. Rules vary with the degree to which the MRG applies to your flat. For a specific case, contact the Tenants' Association (Mietervereinigung), a tenant-protection group, or the Chamber of Labour (AK).