Promotion of Green Roofs in Vienna

Since 2014, the City of Vienna – Environmental Protection (MA 22) has been continuously providing funds to promote green roofs within the city area. Eligible applicants include private individuals, companies, non-profit organizations, and public institutions, provided that the buildings are not owned by public legal entities and a legally binding building permit exists for the greened area. Funding is provided for substrates (peat-free), planting areas and troughs (minimum volume of 300 liters), trellises, irrigation systems, and pitched roof greening in accordance with ÖNORM L 1131. Garden tools, labor costs for self-execution, trough greening, as well as maintenance and repair work are not eligible for funding. It is also important that no double funding occurs from EU, federal, or state funds. The funding is granted as a direct subsidy and amounts to a maximum of 5 euros per cm of substrate height and m² of greened roof area or 10 euros/m² for pitched roofs, with an upper limit of 30,000 euros per project.

The funding application is submitted online and requires a cost estimate, photos before greening, land register excerpt, funding contract, and consent to rights transfer. Upon completion of the work, invoices, payment confirmations, and photos of the finished green roof must be submitted. The measure not only strengthens urban biodiversity but also supports climate change adaptation and enhances the quality of life in Vienna. Applications can be submitted until the budget is exhausted – currently a total of 1.5 million euros per funding period. Applicants receive approval after positive review, and payment is made after settlement. Both private and legal applicants are invited to transform their roofs into green oases and make an active contribution to sustainable urban development.