Company Formation in Austria: Register an Austrian Company
Company formation in Austria is the process of legally establishing a new Austrian business, almost always a GmbH (limited liability company) or, since 2024, the new FlexCo. The company is created by a notarial deed and entered in the companies register, after which it can trade across the EU. A 2024 reform cut the GmbH minimum capital from €35,000 to €10,000, so setting up an Austrian company is now more accessible than most older guides suggest. This page walks through the entity choices, the capital, the registration steps, the cost, the tax, and the faster ready-made route, with a focus on foreign founders.
To be clear at the outset, this guide is about forming a new company. If speed matters more than starting from zero, you can instead buy a ready-made Austrian GmbH that is already registered and transfers in days.
What company formation in Austria means
An Austrian company is brought into existence by a notarial deed (Notariatsakt) and then registered in the Austrian companies register, the Firmenbuch. Until that register entry is made, the company does not yet exist as a separate legal person. Once it is registered, the entity can hold a bank account, sign contracts, employ staff, and trade in its own name with limited liability for its owners.
Austria sits in the centre of the EU single market and is part of the German-speaking DACH region, which makes it a natural base for founders who want European reach with a stable legal system and a skilled, multilingual workforce. The Austrian Business Agency (Invest in Austria) actively supports inbound investment, and the process is open to residents and non-residents alike.
Austrian company types: GmbH, FlexCo, AG and partnerships
Choosing the right legal form is the first real decision. Each form has its own capital, liability, and use case.
| Entity | Minimum capital | Liability | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| GmbH (limited liability company) | €10,000 (≥€5,000 cash) | Limited to company assets | Most founders and SMEs |
| FlexCo (Flexible Kapitalgesellschaft) | €10,000 | Limited to company assets | Startups, employee participation |
| AG (stock corporation) | €70,000 | Limited to company assets | Larger ventures, outside capital |
| OG / KG (partnerships) | None set | General or mixed | Small groups, family businesses |
| Einzelunternehmen (sole proprietor) | None | Personal, unlimited | Solo founders, low risk |
For most international founders the GmbH is the obvious choice, because it gives limited liability with a modest capital requirement. The terms gmbh austria and austrian company types almost always come back to this form. We advise on the alternatives where they genuinely fit your plan rather than defaulting to one package.
The new FlexCo (Flexible Kapitalgesellschaft)
The FlexCo, or Flexible Kapitalgesellschaft, was introduced in 2024 as a modern sibling to the GmbH. It also has a €10,000 minimum capital, but it offers more flexible share classes and governance rules, including easier employee participation through a dedicated category of shares. It was designed with startups and growth companies in mind. If you expect to bring in investors or give equity to your team, the FlexCo can be worth considering instead of a standard GmbH, and we are happy to compare the two for your situation.
- €25,000 — Germany — GmbH
- €10,000 — Austria — GmbH
- CHF 20,000 — Switzerland — GmbH
- CHF 50,000 — Liechtenstein — AG
Bar length is scaled to an approximate EUR equivalent; capital is stated in each country’s statutory currency. Sources: GmbHG §5, Austrian GesRÄG 2023, Swiss CO, Liechtenstein PGR.
Share capital: what changed in 2024
This is where many guides are out of date, so it is worth being precise. Under the Company Law Amendment Act 2023 (GesRÄG 2023), which took effect on 1 January 2024, the minimum share capital for an Austrian GmbH is now €10,000, of which at least €5,000 must be paid in cash before registration.
That reform abolished the old €35,000 minimum entirely, along with the previous “formation privilege” that let companies start lower and ramp up to €35,000 over ten years. If you read elsewhere that you need €35,000, or that you must increase your capital to €35,000 within a decade, that information describes the old regime and no longer applies. The lower capital also reduced the annual minimum corporate tax, which now stands at €500 a year for a GmbH (calculated as 5% of the €10,000 minimum capital).
The capital is not a fee paid to anyone. It belongs to your company and can be used in its business once the company is registered, so it is working capital rather than a sunk cost.
How to register a company in Austria, step by step
The route from decision to a registered, trading company follows a consistent path. We manage each milestone so nothing stalls.
- Choose the entity and draft the articles. Select GmbH, FlexCo, or AG, and prepare the articles of association (Gesellschaftsvertrag), including the company name, registered seat, and business purpose.
- Notarise the formation. The formation is recorded by an Austrian notary as a notarial deed (Notariatsakt).
- Open a bank account and pay in the capital. A corporate bank account is opened and the cash capital is deposited, at least €5,000 for a GmbH, with the bank issuing confirmation.
- Register in the Firmenbuch. The formation documents and capital confirmation are filed with the companies register; the company exists once the entry is made.
- Register for tax and VAT. The company registers with the tax office (Finanzamt) and obtains a VAT ID (UID) where its activity requires one.
- Join the Economic Chamber and obtain any licence. Membership of the Austrian Economic Chamber (Wirtschaftskammer, WKO) is automatic, and a trade licence (Gewerbeberechtigung) is applied for if your activity is regulated.
- Set up accounting and compliance. Bookkeeping, payroll if you employ staff, and ongoing filings are arranged so the company stays in good standing.
Forming a company in Austria as a foreigner
There is no nationality or residency requirement to own an Austrian GmbH, so company formation in Austria for non-EU citizens is fully possible. EU and EEA founders set up freely. Non-EU founders can also own and run an Austrian company, although depending on the business activity and structure, local representation can be helpful and certain regulated trades carry their own conditions.
Most of the process can be handled remotely. You can grant a power of attorney so that the notarial and registration steps are completed on your behalf without travelling to Austria, although a bank may ask to meet a director or beneficial owner before opening the account. We routinely assist founders who register a GmbH in Austria from abroad, including clients from India, the UAE, and beyond, and we coordinate the cross-border paperwork end to end. If you intend to relocate, company ownership can also support Austrian residence and business immigration, for example through the Red-White-Red Card route for self-employed key workers. We can also arrange managing-director services where a local presence helps.
What you need to provide
To keep the file moving and to meet anti-money-laundering checks, you will typically need to supply identification for each shareholder and managing director (passport or ID), confirmation of the planned business activity and company name, a registered Austrian address for the company, and the bank confirmation of the capital deposit. If a shareholder is itself a company, we will also need the corporate documents and the ownership chain up to the beneficial owners.
- 1. Consultation — We propose the right company and structure for your goals.
- 2. Due diligence — We confirm the company is clean, debt-free and compliant.
- 3. Notarial transfer — Ownership passes to you — remotely if needed (GmbHG §15).
- 4. Setup — Banking, tax, registered address and director are put in place.
Timeline: how long does formation take?
Once the notarial deed is signed and the capital is paid in, registration follows the standard Firmenbuch process. How quickly you reach that point depends mainly on how fast documents are prepared, identity checks are cleared, and the bank account is opened, which is often the slowest single step for non-residents. Because the exact duration varies with these factors, we give a realistic estimate for your case rather than a fixed promise. If you need to be operational immediately, a ready-made company removes the wait altogether, which is why many time-pressed founders choose one.
What it costs: included vs extra
Many providers quote a single “from” price or a tiered package without explaining what sits inside it. We prefer to separate the two parts of any honest figure: what every Austrian company needs, and the optional extras you choose.
| Always part of it | Optional extras |
|---|---|
| Share capital (€10,000 for a GmbH; ≥€5,000 in cash) | A registered office or virtual office |
| Notarial fees for the formation deed | A nominee or local managing director |
| Firmenbuch registration fees | VAT registration support |
| Economic Chamber (WKO) membership | Ongoing accounting and tax service |
| Trade-licence handling for regulated activities | |
| The faster ready-made alternative |
The key point is that the share capital is not a service fee; it is money that belongs to your company. So a large part of any genuine formation cost is simply capital you keep working for you. For a clear, all-inclusive quote tailored to your plan, contact us, and see the comparison with Germany and Switzerland if you are still weighing jurisdictions.
Thinking about an Austrian company? Request a free callback with our lawyers, with no commitment. Talk to our team.
Tax for an Austrian company
Austria applies a flat corporate income tax (Körperschaftsteuer) of 23% on company profits, reduced from earlier rates as part of recent reforms. A GmbH also pays a minimum corporate tax of €500 a year even if it makes no profit, which reflects the lower €10,000 capital. The standard VAT (Umsatzsteuer) rate is 20%. For the full picture, including dividends, group taxation, and double-tax treaties, see our guide to corporate tax in Austria.
This section is general information, not tax advice. Tax rules change and depend on your circumstances, so confirm your position with a qualified adviser before acting.
Ongoing compliance after formation
Registering the company is the beginning, not the end. An Austrian company carries real ongoing duties, and we stay with clients to meet them:
- Bookkeeping and accounting in line with Austrian requirements.
- Annual financial statements and their filing with the Firmenbuch where required.
- Tax returns for corporate income tax and VAT, plus correspondence with the Finanzamt.
- Payroll and social security if you employ staff.
- Register upkeep, including changes of director, shareholders, registered seat, or business purpose.
- Economic Chamber obligations that come with automatic WKO membership.
Keeping these current is what keeps your company in good standing, and it is exactly the part that most formation pages leave out.
The faster alternative: buy a ready-made Austrian company
If your priority is to start trading now, forming from scratch is not the only option. A ready-made Austrian GmbH is already registered, with its capital paid in, so ownership simply transfers to you.
| Factor | Form a new company | Buy a ready-made company |
|---|---|---|
| Register status | Pending until registration completes | Already entered and active |
| Time to a usable company | Depends on documents and bank | Days, after the transfer |
| Capital | You deposit it during formation | Already paid in |
| Main legal act | Notarial formation deed | Notarial share transfer |
We handle both routes, so you are not locked into one. The ready-made option is set out on our buy a GmbH in Austria page, and you can also look at a shelf company in Vienna specifically.
Why form your Austrian company with a lawyer-led firm
There is no shortage of websites offering Austrian company formation, but an Austrian company is a real legal entity with real obligations, so who guides you matters. With Müller Konsult you get advice grounded in the current law, including the 2024 capital reform and the FlexCo that many providers still omit, genuine cross-border experience with non-EU and non-resident founders, transparent pricing rather than a vague figure, and a named, accountable adviser with a real office. We also support you in Germany, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein, so you can compare jurisdictions honestly, and we cover the wider picture in our European company registration guide and our overview of company types.
Frequently asked questions
Can a foreigner form a company in Austria?
Yes. There is no nationality or residency requirement to own an Austrian GmbH. EU and EEA founders set up freely, and non-EU founders can own and run a company too, although certain regulated activities and structures may call for local representation.
How much capital do I need for an Austrian GmbH now?
€10,000, of which at least €5,000 must be paid in cash before registration. This has applied since 1 January 2024 under the Company Law Amendment Act 2023.
Did Austria reduce the GmbH capital?
Yes. The minimum fell from €35,000 to €10,000 with effect from 1 January 2024, and the old formation-privilege rule that ramped capital up to €35,000 over ten years was abolished.
What is a FlexCo?
The FlexCo (Flexible Kapitalgesellschaft) is a company form introduced in 2024. It has a €10,000 minimum capital like the GmbH but offers more flexible share classes and governance, including easier employee participation, aimed at startups.
Should I choose a GmbH or a FlexCo?
The GmbH remains the standard choice for most founders. The FlexCo is worth considering if you plan to raise investment or give equity to employees, because of its more flexible share rules.
Do I need a notary to form an Austrian company?
Yes. A GmbH or FlexCo is created by a notarial deed (Notariatsakt), so an Austrian notary is involved in the formation.
Where is an Austrian company registered?
In the Austrian companies register, the Firmenbuch. The company comes into existence as a legal person once the register entry is made.
What corporate tax will my Austrian company pay?
A flat corporate income tax of 23% on profits, plus a minimum of €500 a year for a GmbH even with no profit. The standard VAT rate is 20%.
Can I form an Austrian company remotely or by power of attorney?
Generally yes. Most steps can be completed remotely under a power of attorney, although a bank may ask to meet a director or beneficial owner before opening the account.
Do I need an Austrian resident as managing director?
Not strictly to own the company, but local representation can help in practice, especially for banking and for some regulated activities. We can arrange managing-director services where useful.
How long does company formation in Austria take?
It depends mainly on document preparation, identity checks, and bank account opening, which is often the slowest step for non-residents. We give a realistic estimate for your case; a ready-made company avoids the wait.
What is the minimum capital for an Austrian AG?
€70,000 for a stock corporation (AG), which is why the AG is generally used for larger ventures rather than typical SME formations.
Can owning an Austrian company help me get residence?
It can support a residence application, for example through the Red-White-Red Card for self-employed key workers, which generally expects an investment of at least €100,000 plus a macroeconomic benefit. See our Austrian immigration guide.
Is it faster to buy a ready-made Austrian company?
Yes. A ready-made company is already registered with its capital paid in, so ownership transfers in days rather than waiting out a fresh formation.
Do I have to join the Economic Chamber?
In most cases yes. Membership of the Austrian Economic Chamber (WKO) is automatic for companies carrying on a trade, and it brings certain fees and obligations alongside its services.
Should I form in Austria or Germany?
Austria now has a lower GmbH capital (€10,000 versus €25,000 in Germany) while offering the same EU single-market access. The right choice depends on tax, market, and structure, which we compare for you.
What documents do I need to provide?
Identification for each shareholder and director, confirmation of the business activity and name, a registered Austrian address, the bank confirmation of the capital deposit, and corporate documents if a shareholder is itself a company.
Official sources
- Austrian business register (Firmenbuch) — European e-Justice Portal
- Austrian Economic Chamber (Wirtschaftskammer Österreich, WKO) — wko.at
- Austria, taxes on corporate income — PwC Tax Summaries
Ready to register your Austrian company?
Contact Müller Konsult for full legal support with company formation in Austria. We confirm the right entity, handle the notarial and Firmenbuch steps, and stay with you for tax and compliance afterwards. Müller Konsult · Königsallee 27, 40212 Düsseldorf · +49 211 5403 8800 · info@gmbhforsale.com · Request a callback
Reviewed by Stefan Stelthove, Corporate & Commercial Lawyer, Müller Konsult. Last updated 7 June 2026.
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