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Complete guide: entity types, registration, costs, taxes, labor laws, and break-even analysis
~56 days
Setup Time
~$1,950
Setup Cost
23%
Corporate Tax
100%
Foreign Ownership
#27
Ease of Business
| Entity | Min Capital | Foreign % | Liability | Min Shareholders | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Limited Liability Company Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung (GmbH) | 35,000 EUR | 100% | Limited | 1 | Most popular entity for domestic and foreign investors - EUR 35,000 minimum capital (EUR 17,500 to be paid in), well-established legal framework |
Stock Corporation Aktiengesellschaft (AG) | 70,000 EUR | 100% | Limited | 1 | Larger companies planning IPO on Vienna Stock Exchange or seeking institutional investors - EUR 70,000 minimum capital |
Branch of Foreign Company Zweigniederlassung | None | 100% | Unlimited | 0 | Foreign companies extending operations to Austria without forming a separate legal entity |
Flexible Company Flexible Kapitalgesellschaft (FlexKapG) | 10,000 EUR | 100% | Limited | 1 | New entity form (2024) designed for startups - EUR 10,000 capital, allows employee participation programs and flexible share structures |
Draft Articles of Association
Prepare the Gesellschaftsvertrag (articles of association) as a notarial deed. Must be executed before an Austrian notary.
3-7 days
~$1,500
Austrian Notary Public
Deposit Share Capital
Deposit at least EUR 17,500 (half of EUR 35,000 minimum) into a bank account and obtain confirmation
1-3 days
Free
Commercial Bank
Register at Commercial Register
File the incorporation documents with the Firmenbuch (Commercial Register) at the competent regional court
5-14 days
~$400
Regional Court (Firmenbuch)
Register for Tax
Register with the Finanzamt (tax office) for corporate income tax and obtain a tax identification number (UID)
3-10 days
Free
Finanzamt (Tax Office)
Register for Social Security
Register the company as an employer with the Osterreichische Gesundheitskasse (OGK) for social security contributions
1-5 days
Free
OGK (Health Insurance Fund)
Obtain Trade License
Apply for a Gewerbeschein (trade license) from the district trade authority for regulated business activities
3-14 days
~$50
District Trade Authority (Gewerbebehorde)
Register with Chamber of Commerce
Mandatory membership in the Wirtschaftskammer Osterreich (WKO) - registration is automatic upon trade license issuance
1-3 days
Free
WKO (Chamber of Commerce)
$1850/mo
Minimum Wage
$3500/mo
Average Wage
38.5 hrs/week
Work Hours
25 days/year
Paid Leave
1.5 weeks/year
Severance
21.2% of salary
Employer Social Security
18.1% of salary
Employee Social Security
Required
Foreign Worker Permit
Foreign Worker Quota: EU/EEA nationals have free movement. Non-EU workers need a Red-White-Red Card (points-based). Annual quotas apply for non-qualified workers. Shortage occupations list updated annually.
Work Permit Process: Employer applies for a Red-White-Red Card through the AMS (Public Employment Service). Points-based system for skilled workers, very skilled workers, and shortage occupation workers. Processing by MA 35 in Vienna.
#27/190
Ease of Business Rank
21 days
Starting a Business
20 days
Registering Property
397 days
Enforcing Contracts
71/100
Corruption Perception
93%
Internet Penetration
EUR
Currency
UTC+1
Time Zone
14
Retail (months)
12
F&B (months)
11
Tech (months)
18
Manufacturing (months)
9
Services (months)