Our Blog
Support measures for companies affected by COVID-19
To stimulate the economy, either new programs may be established as a result of the draft law or existing support programs (e.g. aws, ÖHT) will be expanded. All measures introduced are intended to be applicable immediately and will be in force until the end of 2020. The measures currently introduced include the following areas:
Austria's Advantages
Digitalisation of Corporate Law
On 17 November 2020, the second lockdown in the Republic of Austria was imposed based on the COVID-19 Emergency Measures Ordinance issued on 15 November 2020. The curfews once again made the decision-making bodies of Austrian companies and all consultants aware how indispensable the digitalisation of corporate law and the implementation of already existing …
Business Formation, Legal & Tax Aspects
Innovation and Digitalisation
Christmas in Austria: Customs and Traditions
Like every other country in the world, Austria has its own customs and traditions which characterise the winter holidays. Even within the country, people often disagree as to which traditions are actually the original ones. For this reason, both local residents and newcomers are often equally confused if they should happen to find themselves in an Austrian …
Austria's Advantages
5 Reasons in Favour of Launching Your Startup in Austria
Close to 40,000 new companies were founded in Austria in the year 2019. More than 9,000 of them, or close to one-quarter of the total, were established in the capital city of Vienna, making it the startup leader. 20 years ago the number of companies founded in Austria was less than 20,000 (Austrian Federal Economic Chamber). It is clear to see that …
Business Formation, Legal & Tax Aspects
Austria's Advantages
Regional support for companies affected by COVID-19
In addition to the nationwide federal initiatives for the economy, there are additional Corona measures for affected companies at provincial level.
Austria's Advantages
The renewable energy market in Austria: Full of possibilities!
Although planning for energy transition targets in Europe only dates back to 2008, some countries have not waited for a timetable to act. Perhaps driven by an ecological awareness of their population, these forerunners sometimes invested in renewable energies as early as the 1970s. But their real motivation was first and foremost the prospect that the …
Research and Development
Esports & Betting in Austria
For a long time now competitive computer games have not only been played in the dark bedrooms of teens. In fact, this has become a highly professional scene with prize money and audience ratings com-peting with sports events such as the National Football League and the Champions League. In Austria, esports have now taken their place as a mainstream …
Business Formation, Legal & Tax Aspects
Innovation and Digitalisation
Welcome to the future of legal transactions
Thanks to an initiative of the Austrian Chamber of Civil-Law Notaries, Austria is playing a pioneering role in connection with the digital foundation of companies.
Business Formation, Legal & Tax Aspects
Innovation and Digitalisation
Europe as a business location: Austria is well positioned
The factors underlying the search for the right business location have changed. Energy supply security, political and social stability as well as digitalisaiton and the overall research quota have becoming increasingly important due to the coronavirus crisis. In this regard, Austria has been upgraded in the mix of favourable business location factors. …
Austria's Advantages
Innovations from Vienna are a Growth Driver
Multinational companies invest € 2 billion in research in Austria every year. Many of the subsidiaries based in Austria carry out research and development activities in the Alpine Republic. Our company also does so. Ottobock has been operating in Austria for more than 50 years.
Research and Development
Austria's Advantages
Success Stories
The Austrian life sciences sector on the upswing - Life sciences as lifesaver and employer in Austria
For years, the life sciences sector in Austria has served as a lifesaver, employer and a significant factor in the Austrian economy. However, the importance of the sector has definitely come to the fore as a result of the current coronavirus pandemic.
Research and Development
Innovation and Digitalisation
Life Sciences
“Cash or card?” - Austria, the coronavirus pandemic and the increasing trend towards cashless payment.
The number of cashless transactions in Austria has been increasing for years. This upward trend once again experienced a tremendous boost due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Innovation and Digitalisation
Concerning Facebook and LinkedIn: Austrian companies in the social media jungle
A growing number of companies are relying on social media to inform customers, open up new target groups and identify suitable employees. Firms are increasingly investing in Facebook and other social media as each year passes, However, at the same time the continuous further development and establishment of networks are also leading to uncertainties …
Innovation and Digitalisation
Silicon Austria Labs: Top Research Centre in the Field of EBS
Since 2018, Silicon Austria Labs (SAL) has been enriching the European EBS ecosystem (EBS=Electronic Based Systems). The special feature of this research centre is that it conducts international oriented, multidisciplinary and collaborative research along the entire EBS value chain, from sensors to integrated systems.
Research and Development
Innovation and Digitalisation
Austria's Advantages
Digitale GmbH Founding
Since 2019, it has already been possible to set up a limited liability company (German: Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung, GmbH) electronically per video conference. This possibility is of major importance in the current situation. The founding of a GmbH is one of the most important acts carried out under corporate law and the most popular company …
Business Formation, Legal & Tax Aspects
Innovation and Digitalisation
COVID-19 aid package for startups
In order to secure the liquidity of Austrian startups in the current corona crisis and to preserve jobs, a startup aid package comprising a total volume of EUR 150 million is being provided.
Austria's Advantages
Austria’s business location advantages in the fields of cryptocurrencies and blockchain
Since the Bitcoin, the first and still most well-known cryptocurrency first saw the light of day in 2009, the underlying technology and idea behind it have been steadily further developed.
Innovation and Digitalisation
Austria's Advantages
Growing demand for natural active ingredients enables Phytovalley Tyrol to flourish
The comeback of plant-based active ingredients in medicine, cosmetics and food production has positive impacts on Tyrol as a business location. Austria has succeeded in playing a pioneering role in plant research thanks to the support of the federal government, the Federal Province of Tyrol, the company Bionorica and the University of Innsbruck. This …
Research and Development
Life Sciences
Austria is a top destination for coworkationists
Naturally the Alpine region is known as a popular holiday destination. Statistics Austria registered 150 million overnight stays and 45 million arrivals last year.
Austria's Advantages
The new research allowance in Germany – in competition with the Austrian research tax credit?
Companies carrying out research and development in Austria have the possibility to apply for research funding, namely the so-called research tax credit. In an international comparison, the Austrian research tax credit is a recipe for success and is designed to showcase and enhance the attractiveness of Austria as a research location. The successive …
Research and Development
Austria's Advantages
Hidden Champions: Austria’s Secret Global Market Leaders
They are immensely successful on the international market, but still hardly known to anyone: the “hidden champions” play in the big leagues of the Austrian economy. What they have in common is that they are medium-sized firms, growth-oriented, innovative and intimately linked to their specific corporate values.
Austria's Advantages
Articles of Association in Austria: what you should know
If a business consisting of at least two people is established in Austria, it is considered to be a company. The rights and duties of the individual partners, for example the management, profit and loss sharing, agreements in the case of the death or retirement of a partner or the dissolution of the company are regulated in the memorandum and articles …
Business Formation, Legal & Tax Aspects
The Automobile Industry in Transition: Designed in Austria, Produced in China
Not a day goes by without reports being published on things happening in the automobile industry - positive as well as negative. The unfavourable stories usually focus on the issues of greenhouse gas emissions and the lack of environmental compatibility. The positive coverage mainly deals with activities and announcements about electric cars. The level …
Research and Development
Innovation and Digitalisation
Insider Tip: FinTech Location Vienna
Startups and key players on the scene will gather together at the upcoming Fintech Week Vienna (18 – 24 November 2019) with the European Fintech Summit on 19 November as the highlight. Vienna, which is (still) underestimated as a European FinTech hotspot, not only spawns its own world-renowned start-ups but also attracts international FinTech companies. …
Innovation and Digitalisation
Hiring employees from abroad: What you should keep in mind
Companies are more frequently raising their voices to complain that there is a lack of qualified employees in certain areas, for example IT. This comprises an important reason to increasingly look for suitable talents, also abroad. However, there several things to pay attention to in hiring so-called expatriates, in short expats.
Austria's Advantages
Austria: Pacesetter for the Fourth Industrial Revolution
Intelligent production, cyber-physical production systems and more are only just a few of the many facets of the industrial future. The notorious reality of assembly line work in production is a relic of the past. Industry 4.0 and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) are characterised by a high level of automation and a continuous exchange of data. …
Research and Development
Innovation and Digitalisation
How Austria Shapes Its Future with AI
Artificial intelligence (AI) is certainly the most powerful new technology available today. This is probably the reason why the underlying discussion is frequently driven by fear. Hollywood has also contributed to this. Half-human, half-machine mutants resembling Frankenstein and Terminator are the spectres unleased by AI. However, as is often the case, …
Research and Development
Innovation and Digitalisation
Austria – Country of Masters
Austria’s fourth place in the IMD World Talent Ranking 2018 speaks for itself. Austria is a country of clever minds. Once each year the Institute of Management Development (IMD) evaluates the ability of countries to develop, attract and retain top talents. Austria’s special education system is a decisive factor in the good ranking.
Innovation and Digitalisation
Austria's Advantages
Not Only for Startups: The Business Plan as the Road Map to Success
A great idea has been born. The product the world is waiting for has been invented. Actually, nothing can seemingly go wrong. At least one would be inclined to think so. However, the best idea or invention is worthless without a business plan to successfully bring the idea down to earth. Here you will find out what you should take into consideration …
Business Formation, Legal & Tax Aspects
Austrian SMEs Implement Measures to Curb Climate Change
Drought, storms, floods and mass immigration: climate change is real, and its consequences will pose massive challenges to society, political decision makers and the economy. This text focuses on how Austrian SMEs face the effects of climate change and why the changes also open up economic opportunities.
Innovation and Digitalisation
