Starting a Business in Austria

You are thinking about starting a business in Austria. The team of ABA – Invest in Austria will support you.

Even after realizing your project in Austria, we offer long-term consulting, support and service, and are at your disposal as a service center to assist you with respect to further investments and development steps.

Foreign citizens may establish a business in Austria, act as managing directors or purchase companies. Here you find basic information that will be important for you as an investor when establishing a business.

Austrian company law

Austrian company law provides for different types of companies, tailored to the specific needs of companies with respect to the stipulations contained in tax and liability laws. Basically, a distinction is made between two types of companies: corporate entities (corporations, joint stock companies) and business partnerships.

Corporations

• Limited liability company (GmbH)

• Stock corporation (AG)

• Societas Europea (SE)

• General partnership (OG)

• Limited partnership (KG)

• Dormant partnership (stG)

• Civil law partnership

Business partnerships

The limited liability company (GmbH) has proven to be the most popular form of company in the Austrian economy.

In order to provide you with an initial overview of how to set up a company, you will find a guide to setting up a GmbH or a branch office in Austria.

How to start a business in Austria - Support and consulting services

ABA - Invest in Austria is the first point of contact for foreign companies aiming to establish their own business in Austria. We offer international investors tailor-made information, support and consulting services free of charge.

Detailed information and checklists "Starting business in Austria"

Download detailed information on company formation, tax and legal aspects in Austria can be found in our online brochure "Establishing a Business in Austria".

Contents

• Overview of, and legal basis for, the establishment of a business
• Asset and share deals (M&A)
• Employment law, foreign alien employment authorisation
• Trade licensing and other approval requirements
• Tax law
• Industrial property rights and protection of intellectual property

In addition you will be given basis information required to help you prepare for your discussions with a lawyer or tax consultant, as well as a checklist for starting up a company and a list of addresses which could assist you in establishing a company.

Further information about the business location Austria

In our download area you will find comprehensive information on the economic sectors of Austria.

Go to download area