Access to private housing for undocumented migrants in Austria

If an undocumented migrant has money, he or she has access to private housing. A passport isn’t usually necessary in order to rent a flat and there isn’t any legal obstacle for an undocumented migrant to sign a rental contract. Nevertheless, problems may arise when signing up with the energy-supply companies (for gas and electricity) because these usually ask for proof that a person is registered with the local council at a particular address. Undocumented people obviously can’t provide this proof. Nevertheless there are many cases of illicitly overcrowded apartments in Austrian cities.

(back)