An investor who wants to open a company in Austria can select the GmbH when opting for a small business. The GmbH is equivalent to the LLC (found in other jurisdictions) in some respects, but completely different in others. The registration and operation of a GmbH in Austria are governed by the GmbH Act (GmbH-Gesetz – GmbHG). GmbHs are permitted to conduct any legal business activities, except for insurance and reinsurance, banking, and political operations. The procedure for setting up a GmbH in Austria lasts about 1 month. Our specialists in company formation in Austria will help interested entrepreneurs incorporate a GmbH and assist with all the documents and legal requirements.
| Quick facts | |
|---|---|
| Minimum share capital |
EUR 10,000 (At least EUR 5,000 must be paid in cash.) |
|
Minimum number of directors |
1 |
|
Minimum number of shareholders |
1 |
| Bank account required (YES/NO) |
YES |
| Law for opening a GMBH in Austria |
Austrian Act on Limited Liability Companies (GmbH Gesetz) |
| Company name |
It must include the designation “GmbH” (Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung). |
| Annual report to submit |
No later than 9 months after the end of the company’s financial year. |
| Time frame for the incorporation (approx.) |
1 month |
| Local address required (YES/NO) |
YES |
| General required documents for company formation |
– Articles of Association, – signatures of the managing directors, – proof of deposited capital, – proof of registered address, – formal statement from managing directors, etc. |
| CIT (corporate income tax rate) |
23% |
| Number of double taxation treaties (approx.) |
90 |
| Tax incentives and reforms |
Research and development (R&D) incentives; Eco-social tax reform |
| Advantages of a GmbH in Austria |
– flexbile structure, – 100% possible foreign ownership, – simple company registration process, – tax benefits, etc. |
| Assistance |
Our team can help you open a company in Austria. We also offer post-incorporation support. |
| Notary requirement (YES/NO) | Yes, notarization of the Articles of Association is mandatory. |
|
Language of incorporation documents |
German (official), with certified translations accepted if needed |
|
Digital incorporation (YES/NO) |
Yes, online procedures are increasingly available, including e-filing. |
| Trade license required (YES/NO) | Yes, most business activities require a trade license (“Gewerbeberechtigung”). |
| Registration authority |
Austrian Commercial Register (Firmenbuch) at the local court (Landesgericht) |
| VAT registration threshold |
EUR 35,000 annual turnover |
| Accounting standards |
Austrian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (UGB) |
| Audit requirement |
Required if two of the following are exceeded: EUR 5M turnover, EUR 2.5M balance sheet, or 50 employees. |
| Shareholder liability |
Limited to their capital contribution |
| Company accounting obligations | Annual filings, financial statements, and tax declarations must be submitted to keep the company active. |
| Corporate bank account opening timeline |
Usually opened within 1–2 weeks after documentation submission |
| Shelf companies available |
Yes, ready-made GmbHs can be purchased for a quicker start. |
| Capital verification |
Deposit must be verified by a bank confirmation before registration. |
| Trademark protection (Yes/No) |
Yes, available via Austrian Patent Office (Österreichisches Patentamt) |
| Beneficial ownership disclosure | Required under Austrian anti-money laundering laws; beneficial owners must be registered in the Austrian Register of Beneficial Owners |
Table of Contents
The process of opening a GmbH in Austria
If you have decided to set up a GmbH in Austria, it is required to select an available business name. It must be unique and reflect the nature of the business, while respecting the Austrian legislation. Additionally, the name must end with the abbreviation GmbH. Our specialists in company registration in Austria can help you research and find a suitable name for your company.
Every company in Austria must have a local registered address, used for official correspondence. A business plan is not mandatory, but recommended. Minimum one director and shareholder are required for opening a GmbH in Austria. They can be foreigners or Austrian citizens, legal entities or natural persons.
A bank account is needed in order to deposit the minimum share capital which is EUR10,000 and at least 50% must be paid in cash.
Another important step in setting up a GmbH in Austria is drafting the Articles of Association. This document, among others, will be submitted to the Commercial Register. Our team lists some of the other required documents below:
- resolution on the appointment of management (if it is not included in the Articles of Association);
- authorized signatures of managing directors;
- proof of paid registration fee;
- proof of payment of the cash contribution and declaration of all managing directors.
Our company formation specialists in Austria will handle this procedure for you. After successfully registering the GmbH, we will also obtain any necessary permits or licenses for your company, depending on your business activities.
Regarding taxes, we will register your GmbH in Austria with the tax office and obtain a corporate tax and VAT identification number. If you are hiring employees, we can help with registration with the appropriate social insurance institution. Additionally, our partner accountants in Austria can offer more details and services related to your financial obligations.
However, as of 2025, the taxation process is now more streamlined due to digitalization. The use of Austria’s Business Service Portal (USP) allows for faster processing, especially in terms of the registration with the Commercial Register and the Tax Office. This has helped reduce wait times, and the registration process could be completed in a shorter time frame for certain businesses.
Tax benefits for green investments
Regarding the corporate tax rate in 2025, Austria has introduced reforms under the Eco-Social Tax Reform that impact the overall taxation of companies. The reforms aim to motivate companies that are environmentally responsible and invest in renewable energy and sustainable practices. Such companies may receive tax benefits such as deductions and credits for green investments.
Digitalization of the GmbH incorporation process
Austria has significantly improved the registration process for GmbHs through the digitalization of government services. This includes verifying the company name, submitting the Articles of Association, registering with the Commercial Register (Firmenbuch), and obtaining a tax number. Digital notarial services—such as online authentication of founding documents and signatures—have reduced the need for physical presence, particularly beneficial for foreign founders.
Key considerations for foreigners establishing a GmbH in Austria
Foreign investors can fully own and operate a GmbH in Austria, with no restriction on foreign shareholding. However, for the purpose of registration, at least one managing director (Geschäftsführer) must be an EEA resident to act as the company’s legal representative. This individual must be named in the Articles of Association and registered with the Commercial Register. Foreign founders who do not have a local partner often appoint a qualified Austrian accountant to fulfill this role. In addition, all corporate documents—including the founding resolution, Articles of Association, and director declarations—must be submitted in German. Official translations and certified copies may be required if the documents are issued abroad. These formalities must be completed before the GmbH can be legally entered into the Firmenbuch and receive its tax number.
Statistics about Austrian companies
GmbHs in Austria are well-suited for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Our team has gathered some statistics about the SMEs in Austria for the year 2022:
- There were 334,543 SMEs in Austria;
- 292,946 micro-sized enterprises had between zero and nine employees;
- 36,096 companies had employed between 10 and 49 people.
You may contact our specialists in company formation in Austria for more details about incorporation of a GmbH in Austria or other types of companies available in this country and also for company registration in Serbia.