Top 5 Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Lending Platforms in Austria 2023

If you are an investor from Austria interested in P2P lending, there are several platforms that are currently considered the top choices for investment. Here are some of the best peer-to-peer lending platforms available in Austria:

Best local platforms for peer-to-peer lending in Austria

In Austria, there exist some P2P lending platforms that are not widely known. These platforms offer financing options for small businesses, personal debts, real estate, and other ventures. Below are some of the notable P2P lending platforms in Austria:

  • Rendity
  • Zmartup
  • Finnest
  • DagobertInvest

History of peer-to-peer lending in Austria

Peer-to-peer (P2P) lending started in Austria relatively later than in some of its neighboring countries, such as Germany and the United Kingdom. In Austria, the P2P lending industry began to gain popularity around the mid-2010s, with platforms such as Lendico and Auxmoney expanding their operations into the country. The growth of P2P lending in Austria can be attributed to the increasing interest in alternative finance options, as well as the relatively high levels of internet penetration and digital financial literacy in the country.

Over time, the P2P lending market in Austria has evolved and matured, with several new platforms and services emerging in the market. Some of these platforms include Finnest, DagobertInvest, and Rendity.

While the Austrian P2P lending market has experienced growth in recent years, it still lags behind other major European P2P lending markets, such as the United Kingdom, Germany, and France. The United Kingdom, in particular, has a much more developed P2P lending market, with well-established platforms such as Zopa and Funding Circle, and a supportive regulatory environment that has allowed the industry to thrive.

Best foreign platforms for P2P lending in Austria

In Austria, there are several P2P lending platforms that provide investors with low fees and high returns. Some of the most popular options include:

  • Lendermarket: This platform is favored by Austrian investors as it offers a user-friendly interface with a range of P2P lending options. Lendermarket provides investors with low fees and high-return P2P loans.
  • Esketit: This platform specializes in short-term loans and is a popular choice for Austrian investors. Esketit offers investors the opportunity to invest in projects with high potential returns.
  • Reinvest24: This platform provides crowdfunding opportunities in a range of different European countries. It focuses on giving investors access to equity investments in real estate projects.
  • AxiaFunder: This platform stands out as it specializes in litigation crowdfunding. It is particularly suitable for investors in Austria who are looking for a unique platform to invest in various lawsuits.
  • PeerBerry: This platform offers investors a wide variety of P2P lending options, including personal, business, and real estate loans. Additionally, it provides investors with a buyback guarantee.

These platforms offer Austrian investors a range of P2P lending options. They provide low-cost loans and the potential for higher returns. Investors should conduct thorough research on each platform to determine which best suits their investment goals.

P2P lending regulations in Austria

In Austria, the peer-to-peer (P2P) lending sector is regulated within the financial services industry and overseen by the Austrian Financial Market Authority (FMA). P2P lending platforms are required to comply with various laws and regulations, including obtaining necessary licenses, adhering to restrictions, and providing consumer protection measures.

As a member of the European Union, Austrian investment-based and lending-based crowdfunding services related to business financing are also obliged to be licensed as Crowdfunding Service Providers, following EU legislation (Regulation 2020/1503).

A list of fully regulated Crowdfunding Services Providers can be found here.

FAQ about P2P lending for Austrian investors:

One benefit of utilizing international P2P lending platforms in Austria is the expanded access to potential borrowers and investment options available to lenders. Furthermore, foreign platforms may offer more favorable rates and terms compared to domestic lenders. Investing through European P2P lending platforms can also lead to increased investment liquidity and decreased risk.

One of the significant benefits of utilizing a domestic platform for P2P lending in Austria is that it offers convenient access to borrowers and lenders within the country. This is particularly useful if you wish to contribute to your local community. Furthermore, local platforms can offer customized services to Austrian borrowers who are well-versed in the local market, tax, and regulatory environment. In some cases, using a local platform can minimize the expenses involved in transferring funds from foreign lenders, owing to the currency exchange rates.