By the US GO EU Austrian Team · Last updated July 11, 2026
1–2
Weeks to register — once notarized documents and share capital are in place, the Firmenbuch processes applications quickly
23%
Corporate income tax rate — one of the more competitive rates among German-speaking EU economies, reduced in recent years
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Countries bordering Austria — making it one of the most strategically connected business locations in the EU single market
Why Americans Register Companies in Austria
Austria offers a business environment built on decades of political stability, a highly developed legal framework, and an economy deeply integrated with both Western Europe and the fast-growing markets of Central and Eastern Europe. For American entrepreneurs and investors, an Austrian company provides a premium EU address, access to the full single market, and a jurisdiction with a well-established infrastructure for international business.
The country's extensive double taxation treaty network — including a treaty with the United States — reduces the risk of being taxed twice on the same income. Austria's workforce is among the most highly educated in Europe, and the country ranks consistently high for quality of life, rule of law, and ease of doing business. Vienna in particular is a hub for finance, professional services, and international organisations.
Business StructuresWhich Entity Type Is Right for You?
Austria offers several business structures suited to different sizes and purposes. The GmbH is the default choice for the vast majority of foreign entrepreneurs — it limits liability, is well understood by Austrian banks and partners, and has a straightforward governance structure. A January 2024 company law reform cut the GmbH's minimum share capital from €35,000 to €10,000 and introduced the FlexCo as a startup-oriented alternative. Here is how the main options compare.
Most Popular★ Recommended for Americans
Limited Liability Company
GmbH — Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung
The standard choice for small to medium-sized businesses and foreign entrepreneurs. Liability is limited to contributed capital. Well understood by Austrian banks, partners, and institutions. Straightforward governance with no mandatory supervisory board for smaller companies.
Larger Businesses
Public Limited Company
AG — Aktiengesellschaft
For larger businesses, companies seeking institutional investment, or those planning a public listing on the Vienna Stock Exchange. Can issue shares to the public. Requires both a management board and a supervisory board, making governance more complex.
Partnerships
General Partnership
OG — Offene Gesellschaft
Two or more partners sharing full management rights and unlimited personal liability. Simpler to establish than a GmbH but exposes all partners to the full obligations of the business. Rarely chosen by foreign nationals due to unlimited liability.
Sole Traders
Sole Proprietorship
Einzelunternehmer
For individuals operating independently — freelancers, consultants, and very small businesses. Simple to set up with no capital requirements, but the owner bears unlimited personal liability for all business obligations. Generally not suitable for non-residents.
New Since 2024
Flexible Company
FlexCo — Flexible Kapitalgesellschaft
A hybrid form introduced in January 2024, sitting between the GmbH and AG. Designed for startups and growth companies, it allows multiple share classes and simplified employee equity participation (ESOP/VSOP) — features a standard GmbH does not offer. Worth considering if you plan to raise venture capital or issue equity to employees.
Austria's Corporate Tax Structure
Austria applies a standard corporate income tax on profits earned by Austrian-registered companies. Unlike Latvia's deferred-tax model, Austrian corporate tax is assessed annually on taxable profits. However, Austria's rate has been reduced in recent years and compares favourably with Germany and other German-speaking neighbours. A comprehensive US-Austria tax treaty helps prevent double taxation for American-owned businesses.
Austrian Corporate Tax — Key Numbers
Austria Tax Framework
23%
Corporate income tax rate — applied to annual taxable profits. Reduced from 25% (2022) to 23% (2024–2026) as part of Austria's eco-social tax reform
20%
Standard VAT rate (Umsatzsteuer) — mandatory registration when annual turnover exceeds €55,000 (raised from €35,000 on 1 January 2025)
€10k
Minimum GmbH share capital — of which at least €5,000 must be paid into a bank account before registration (reduced from €35,000 in a January 2024 reform)
Austria has an extensive double taxation treaty network covering over 90 countries, including the United States. The US-Austria tax treaty provides relief mechanisms for American shareholders and directors operating Austrian companies. A minimum corporate tax of €500 per year applies regardless of profit — a fixed amount payable even in loss-making years. All companies are subject to Austrian social contribution requirements for any employees.
⚠️ US Tax Obligations Apply to Austrian Company Owners
US citizens and Green Card holders are taxed by the United States on worldwide income regardless of where their business is incorporated. Owning an Austrian GmbH creates US tax obligations — including FBAR reporting for Austrian bank accounts exceeding $10,000, potential Controlled Foreign Corporation (CFC) reporting, and GILTI (Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income) rules that may bring undistributed Austrian profits into your US tax return annually. The US-Austria tax treaty provides important relief, but cross-border tax planning is essential. Consult a US-qualified international tax advisor with US-Austria treaty expertise before incorporating.
How to Register a Company in Austria
Registering a GmbH in Austria involves notarization, banking, and a formal application to the Austrian Commercial Register (Firmenbuch). Because notarization can be completed remotely by video, the process is more streamlined than it once was — but it still requires more preparation than some other EU jurisdictions, particularly around banking due diligence for non-residents. Plan for 2 to 4 weeks from start to completion.
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Choose Your Business Structure
For most American entrepreneurs, the GmbH is the correct choice — it limits personal liability and is the most widely recognised and trusted structure in Austria. Confirm the appropriate structure with an Austrian business attorney, particularly if your intended business involves regulated sectors such as financial services, healthcare, or food production.
Decision
2
Choose and Check Your Company Name
The company name must be unique, not misleading, and compliant with Austrian naming regulations. It must include the entity type suffix (e.g., "GmbH"). Name availability can be checked through the Austrian Business Authority (Wirtschaftskammer Österreich — WKO) and the Firmenbuch database before committing to a name.
~1 day
3
Draft and Notarize the Articles of Association
The Articles of Association (Gesellschaftsvertrag) — the founding document outlining the company's purpose, share structure, and governance rules — must be drafted by or in consultation with an Austrian notary (Notar) and then officially notarized. This step is mandatory and cannot be bypassed, but Austrian notaries have offered remote video notarization since 2020, so non-resident founders generally do not need to travel. The notary will also verify the identity of all founding shareholders during the video session.
Notarization required
4
Open a Corporate Bank Account and Deposit Share Capital
Open a corporate bank account with an Austrian bank and deposit the required share capital — at minimum €5,000 in cash (half of the €10,000 GmbH minimum) before registration. The bank will issue a confirmation letter (Einzahlungsbestätigung) that must be submitted to the Firmenbuch with your registration application. Austrian banks apply AML due diligence procedures — allow extra time for this step as a non-resident.
Banking
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Submit Application to the Austrian Commercial Register (Firmenbuch)
Submit the registration application — including the notarized Articles of Association, bank confirmation of share capital deposit, identification documents of shareholders and directors, and proof of registered office address — to the Austrian Commercial Register (Firmenbuch). In most cases the notary handles this submission directly. Once approved, your company receives a unique Company Registration Number (Firmenbuchnummer).
1–2 weeks processing
6
Register for Tax with the Austrian Tax Office (Finanzamt)
After receiving your Firmenbuchnummer, register the company with the Austrian Tax Office (Finanzamt) for corporate income tax purposes. If your expected annual turnover exceeds €55,000, register for VAT (Umsatzsteuer) at the same time. The Finanzamt will issue a tax identification number (Steuernummer) for the company.
Post-registration
7
Register Employees with Austrian Social Insurance (if applicable)
If your company will hire employees in Austria, register with the Austrian Social Insurance (Österreichische Sozialversicherung) before the first employee begins work. Austrian social security contributions cover health, pension, accident, and unemployment insurance and are split between employer and employee.
If hiring
8
Obtain Business Licences (if applicable)
Certain business activities in Austria require a trade licence (Gewerbeschein) issued by the local trade authority (Bezirksverwaltungsbehörde), or sector-specific licences for regulated industries such as financial services, healthcare, or food production. Regulated activities must be licensed before commencing commercial operations — verify requirements with an Austrian attorney or the WKO before registration.
Regulated sectors
What Does It Cost to Register a Company in Austria?
Austria's company formation costs were reduced by the January 2024 capital reform, which cut the GmbH's minimum share capital from €35,000 to €10,000. Notary and court fees, which scale with share capital, fell accordingly — though Austria's mandatory notarization still makes it somewhat costlier to incorporate than some Eastern European EU jurisdictions. These costs reflect a premium, highly regulated jurisdiction with strong institutional credibility.
| Cost Item | Notes | Est. Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Notary fees | Mandatory notarization of Articles of Association and founding documents (can be completed remotely by video — see below). Fee is regulated and scales with share capital. | €800–€2,000 |
| Firmenbuch registration fee | State fee for entry into the Austrian Commercial Register. Additional court fees may apply. | €300–€500 |
| Minimum share capital (GmbH) | €10,000 total required; at least €5,000 must be paid up in cash at registration. This remains as company capital — it is not a fee. | €5,000 paid up |
| Registered office address | Every Austrian company requires a local registered address. Virtual office and registered address services are available. | €500–€1,200/yr |
| Legal & advisory fees | Attorney assistance with Articles of Association, structuring, and registration coordination. Recommended for non-residents. | €800–€2,500 |
| Accounting & annual compliance | Annual financial statements and tax returns mandatory. Statutory audit required for larger companies. | €1,500–€4,000/yr |
Post-Registration Requirements
Austrian companies face robust ongoing compliance obligations. Accounting standards are strict, annual reporting is mandatory, and corporate governance requirements must be maintained. Factor compliance costs into your business plan from the outset.
Annual Financial Statements & Tax Returns
All Austrian GmbHs must prepare annual financial statements in accordance with Austrian accounting standards (UGB) and submit corporate tax returns to the Finanzamt. Financial statements must be filed with the Firmenbuch and are publicly accessible.
Corporate Governance — Managing Director
A GmbH must appoint at least one managing director (Geschäftsführer), who is registered in the Firmenbuch. The managing director can be a foreign national but must be personally registered. For larger GmbHs, a supervisory board may be required.
Accounting Records
Austrian companies must maintain double-entry bookkeeping records in accordance with the Austrian Commercial Code (UGB). A statutory audit is mandatory for GmbHs exceeding two of the following thresholds: €5M annual turnover, €2.5M total assets, or 50 employees.
Beneficial Ownership Register (WiEReG)
Austria maintains a mandatory beneficial ownership register (Wirtschaftliche Eigentümer Registergesetz — WiEReG). All companies must register and keep current information on their ultimate beneficial owners — individuals who own or control more than 25% of the company or otherwise exercise effective control. Annual confirmation is required.
What Americans Should Know Before Registering in Austria
Notarization is mandatory — but Austria is one of the few EU countries where it can be done entirely by video, with no travel required
Austrian GmbH formation still requires a notarial deed for the founding documents, but since 2020 Austria has allowed remote online notarization by secure video call under §90a of the Notarization Act (Notariatsordnung) — a measure introduced during COVID-19 and made permanent afterward. Identity is verified via video with an ID document (such as a passport), and the notary handles the deed, signatures, and Firmenbuch filing digitally. This makes Austria, alongside Estonia, one of the EU's most advanced jurisdictions for remote company formation — American founders generally do not need to travel to Austria or route the process through a consulate. Confirm video-notarization availability with your chosen notary before starting, as procedures can vary slightly by office.
Banking due diligence for non-residents has become more stringent
Austrian banks apply thorough AML (Anti-Money Laundering) due diligence to all new corporate accounts, particularly for foreign-owned companies. Non-resident founders should prepare detailed documentation — including corporate structure, source of funds, business plan, and expected transaction flows — before approaching banks. Some Austrian banks decline non-resident-owned companies outright; engage an advisor who can recommend banks with a track record of working with international clients. Directories like LocalVouch can help you find vetted, English-speaking Austrian attorneys and notaries with direct experience serving American founders.
The Gewerbeschein (trade licence) is required for many business activities
Austria's trade licensing system (Gewerbeordnung) requires a Gewerbeschein for a wide range of regulated commercial activities — including retail, construction, hospitality, personal services, and many professional services. The licence must be obtained before commencing those activities. Some activities are "free trades" (freie Gewerbe) requiring only notification, while "regulated trades" (reglementierte Gewerbe) require proof of professional qualifications. Verify your activity's licensing status with the WKO or an Austrian attorney before registration.
Minimum corporate tax applies even in loss-making years
Austria imposes a minimum corporate income tax (Mindestkörperschaftsteuer) on GmbHs regardless of whether the company is profitable. This is currently set at €500 per year (€125 per quarter). While modest, it is a fixed cost that applies from the first year of registration and must be accounted for in any business plan covering the early years of operation.
Austria's US tax treaty is valuable — but cross-border planning is still essential
The Austria-United States tax treaty provides important relief from double taxation, including reduced withholding rates on dividends, interest, and royalties paid between the two countries. However, US CFC rules, GILTI provisions, and FBAR requirements still apply to American owners of Austrian companies. The treaty reduces — but does not eliminate — US tax obligations. Engage a cross-border tax advisor with specific US-Austria treaty expertise before incorporating.
Registering an Austrian Company Is Right for You If…
- →You want a premium, highly stable EU business address with strong institutional credibility and a long track record for international business.
- →You need access to Central and Eastern European markets alongside the full EU single market — Austria borders eight countries and is a natural hub.
- →You want to benefit from Austria's extensive double taxation treaty network, including the US-Austria treaty that provides withholding tax relief.
- →You are establishing a business in a sector where Austrian regulatory standing and credibility matters — finance, professional services, pharmaceuticals, or manufacturing.
- →You are prepared for a slightly more involved registration process (notarization, higher share capital) in exchange for operating in one of Europe's most business-friendly and legally predictable jurisdictions.
We work with trusted Austrian corporate attorneys, notaries, and accountants who specialise in company formation for non-EU nationals. From choosing the right entity structure and managing the notarization process to post-registration compliance and US cross-border tax coordination — we guide you through every step.