Lustenau scraps second-home levy early

The municipality of Lustenau will abolish its second-home levy at the end of November, ORF Vorarlberg reports, citing the administrative burden involved in collecting it.

Since June 2025, staff have spent about 3,000 working hours processing nearly 2,600 cases, the municipality said. The workload had delayed other tax department tasks, including debt collection. The levy was originally due to remain in force until the end of the year.

The municipality also said the levy had not achieved its goal of reducing vacant housing. Because of numerous legal exemptions, fewer than 20 percent of cases resulted in payment. Outstanding proceedings for the 2024 and 2025 levy years will still be completed, while the early repeal avoids having to process the 2026 levy year in full.

By September 30, the levy had raised 347,621.17 euros. The municipal assembly approved its early repeal by 26 votes to 10, with the ÖVP, FPÖ and NEOS supporting it. The SPÖ and Greens opposed the move, arguing that waiving revenue from second-home owners while raising fees would be unfair to lower-income residents.

The assembly also approved increases to several charges for next year. Cemetery fees, municipal newspaper advertising rates and music school tariffs will mostly rise in line with the index. Dog tax, sewer charges and rubbish bag fees will also increase. Charges for some sports facilities will rise by double-digit percentages, drawing further criticism from the opposition.