Company Formation · Austria

Set up a company in Austria.

Strategic Central European base. Stable economy. Simplified post-2024 framework. We handle the structure, the registration, and the bank — you focus on the business.

Start a formation → Explore jurisdictions

€10k Min. Capital (GmbH)

23% Corporate Tax

90+ Tax Treaties

EU Single Market

17 Years Founded 2009 · UK Reg. 11575770

100+ Jurisdictions Covered

40+ Senior Consultants Globally

20+ Sectors Served

48 Hours Quote Turnaround

At a Glance

Austria — the essentials.

Capital

ViennaLargest commercial centre

Population

9.2 millionEU member since 1995

Currency

Euro (€)Eurozone member

Official Language

GermanEnglish widely used in business

Time Zone

CET (UTC+1)CEST in summer

GDP (Nominal)

~€480 billionHigh-income economy

Legal System

Civil lawEU-aligned regulation

Corporate Register

FirmenbuchCentral commercial registry

Why Austria

Six reasons clients choose Austria.

A stable, EU-anchored base with the geographic reach into Central and Eastern Europe that few other jurisdictions can match.

Central European hub

Direct access to Germany, Italy, Switzerland, and the entire CEE/SEE region. Excellent road, rail, and air links into 20+ markets.

Stable, transparent economy

One of the most politically and economically stable EU member states. Strong banking sector, predictable regulation, AAA-rated sovereign profile.

Competitive 23% corporate tax

Reduced from 25% in 2024. Effective rate around 21% after the standard investment allowance. Generous R&D credit at 14%.

Highly skilled, multilingual workforce

Strong engineering, technology, and manufacturing talent base. English widely spoken in business; multiple top-ranked universities.

Robust legal & IP framework

Strong protection of contracts, trademarks, and patents. Civil-law clarity with full alignment to EU directives and GDPR.

Simplified post-2024 framework

GmbH minimum capital reduced from €35,000 to €10,000. The new FlexCo structure is purpose-built for startups and venture capital.

Business Structures

Choose the right vehicle — six options.

Most international clients use the GmbH or the new FlexCo. We will tell you straight which one fits your situation, and why.

Structure	Min. Capital	Liability	Best for	Formation
GmbHGesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung	€10,000 €5,000 paid up	Limited to share capital	The default choice. SMEs, holdings, subsidiaries of foreign groups, professional services.	3–6 weeks
FlexCoFlexible Kapitalgesellschaft New 2024	€10,000 €5,000 paid up	Limited to share capital	Startups, venture-backed scaleups, businesses needing flexible cap tables and employee equity.	3–5 weeks
AGAktiengesellschaft	€70,000	Limited to share capital	Larger businesses, IPO-track companies, regulated industries requiring formal governance.	6–10 weeks
OGOffene Gesellschaft	None	Unlimited, joint & several	Two or more partners running an active business together; close professional partnerships.	2–4 weeks
KGKommanditgesellschaft	None	Mixed (general / limited)	Investor / operator structures where one partner manages and others provide capital.	2–4 weeks
EinzelunternehmenSole proprietorship	None	Personal, unlimited	Solo founders testing a market; minimal admin but no liability protection.	1–2 weeks

Tax & Compliance

The numbers that matter.

Headline figures every founder, finance director or international operator should know before they incorporate.

23%

Corporate Tax

Standard rate on worldwide income for Austrian-resident corporations. Reduced from 25% in 2024.

€500

Minimum CIT / Year

Charged quarterly at €125. Credited against future CIT liability with no time limit.

20%

VAT (Standard)

Reduced rates of 13% and 10% apply to specific goods and services. Input VAT recoverable.

14%

R&D Premium

Forschungsprämie tax credit on qualifying in-house and contract R&D spend — payable even at a loss.

~39%

Social Security

Combined employer + employee contribution. Employer share approximately 21%; employee share approximately 18%.

10–22%

Investment Allowance

Deductible for qualifying fixed assets. Higher rates apply for greening / environmental investments through 2026.

90+

Tax Treaties

Double taxation agreements covering most major economies, including the UK, US, NL, DE, and the Gulf.

30 Jun

CIT Filing Deadline

Electronic filing the year after the fiscal year. Extended to 31 March of the second following year via tax advisor.

Pillar Two minimum tax: Austria applies the OECD/EU global minimum effective tax of 15% to multinational groups with consolidated turnover above €750 million via the Income Inclusion Rule, Undertaxed Profits Rule, and a domestic top-up tax. Most SMEs and growth-stage businesses are not in scope.

Formation Process

From decision to trading entity.

A realistic seven-step path. Most international clients are operational within 4–8 weeks — faster with the FlexCo and digital notarisation.

Discovery & structure design

We confirm the right vehicle (GmbH / FlexCo / AG), shareholding, directorships, and tax position. Output: a one-page structure memo you can sign off.

Week 1

Name reservation & articles

Company name checked against the Firmenbuch. Articles of association drafted in German with English translation for foreign shareholders.

Week 1–2

Notarisation

Articles notarised by an Austrian notary — available remotely via digital notarisation since 2022. No travel required for most international shareholders.

Week 2–3

Capital deposit & bank account

Initial share capital paid into a designated account (€5,000 minimum for GmbH / FlexCo). We coordinate with the bank to compress timelines for international clients.

Week 2–4

Firmenbuch registration

Filing with the Austrian Commercial Register. Once registered, the company is a legal entity and obtains its FN (Firmenbuchnummer).

Week 3–5

Tax & VAT registration

Registration with the Finanzamt for corporate tax, payroll tax, and (where applicable) VAT — including the EU VAT-ID for cross-border trade.

Week 4–6

Operational setup & UBO

Beneficial owner registration (WiEReG), social security registration (Sozialversicherung), accounting setup, and any sector-specific licences.

Week 5–8

What We Handle

A single partner. End to end.

You get one senior point of contact at Grant & Graham. Behind that, a vetted local network of notaries, banks, accountants, and lawyers we have worked with for years.

01 · ADVISORY

Structure & tax design

Choosing the right vehicle, shareholding structure, and cross-border tax position before a single document is signed.

02 · LEGAL

Articles & notarisation

Drafting articles of association, coordinating Austrian notary, and arranging digital notarisation for international shareholders.

03 · FILING

Registration & compliance

Firmenbuch submission, Finanzamt registration, EU VAT-ID, beneficial owner registration (WiEReG), and ongoing filings.

04 · BANKING

Bank account introduction

Direct introductions to Austrian banks. We compress account-opening timelines for international clients and crypto-adjacent businesses.

05 · FINANCE

Accounting & tax filings

Bookkeeping, payroll, annual financial statements, and corporate tax returns through our partner accountants in Vienna and Linz.

06 · PEOPLE

HR, employment & relocation

Employment contracts, social security registration, collective agreement guidance, and Red-White-Red Card support for non-EU hires.

Best Fit When…

Austria is the right answer for specific situations.

It is not the cheapest jurisdiction, and not the lightest-touch. It is the right call when one of these scenarios applies.

You are entering CEE / SEE markets

Austria is the natural commercial gateway to the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia, and the wider Balkans. Vienna-based ops typically outperform a remote setup.

You are R&D-heavy or technology-led

The 14% Forschungsprämie is one of the most attractive R&D incentives in Europe and is payable as cash even when the business is loss-making. Material for tech, biotech, and engineering firms.

You need an EU-credible holding entity

Austria's group taxation regime, broad treaty network, and participation exemption make it well-suited to international holding structures — particularly for groups with CEE or Russian-adjacent assets to ringfence.

You are a venture-backed startup

The new FlexCo solves the legacy GmbH pain points around employee equity and venture-friendly cap tables. Designed specifically for Series-A-ready businesses with international investors.

You are in manufacturing or engineering

World-class technical workforce, strong supplier base, and stable industrial relations. Austria remains a quietly excellent location for high-end manufacturing and precision engineering.

You are a US or UK group entering Europe

English is widely spoken in business, the legal system is predictable, and the treaty position with both the US and UK is strong. A defensible alternative to Ireland or the Netherlands for specific use cases.

Cost & Timeline Planner

Get an estimate in 30 seconds.

Three quick questions. We will give you a realistic cost range and timeline for your situation, and route the answers straight into a fixed-price quote request.

Step 1 of 3

01 · Structure

Which company structure are you considering?

02 · Setup

How is the shareholding structured?

03 · Services

What do you need from us?

Estimated for your situation

All-in cost (one-off)

—

Timeline to operational

—

Recommended structure

—

Get this as a fixed-price quote →

Estimate only. Final quote depends on specific scope, sector requirements, and any sector-specific licences. Includes Austrian notary, state fees, Firmenbuch registration, Finanzamt registration, and Grant & Graham senior advisory at €250/hour.

Frequently Asked

The questions we get asked most.

How long does it take to set up a GmbH or FlexCo in Austria?

Typically 4–8 weeks from instruction to a fully operational entity with bank account and tax registration. The Firmenbuch registration itself usually completes within 7–10 working days; the longest single step is normally bank account opening, especially for non-EU shareholders.

Do shareholders or directors need to be Austrian or EU residents?

No. Foreign nationals and non-EU residents can be both shareholders and directors of an Austrian GmbH or FlexCo. There is no nationality or residency requirement. For a smooth bank account opening, however, at least one director with EU presence is helpful.

What is the difference between a GmbH and a FlexCo?

Both have a €10,000 minimum share capital and the same limited liability protection. The FlexCo, introduced on 1 January 2024, adds startup-friendly features: simpler share transfers (lawyer's deed instead of notarial deed), enterprise value shares for employee equity, fractional shares, and more flexible capital-raising mechanisms borrowed from the AG. For international groups setting up a subsidiary the GmbH is usually the right call. For venture-backed startups the FlexCo almost always is.

What is the minimum share capital and how much must be paid up?

For a GmbH or FlexCo the minimum share capital is €10,000, of which at least €5,000 must be paid in cash at incorporation (or the equivalent in audited in-kind contributions). For an AG the minimum is €70,000. The 2024 reform removed the previous €35,000 GmbH requirement, materially lowering the barrier to entry.

What ongoing compliance does an Austrian company face?

Annual financial statements filed with the Firmenbuch, an annual corporate income tax return, ongoing VAT and payroll filings, beneficial owner registration (WiEReG) and updates, and minimum corporate tax of €500 per year. We package this as an ongoing service for international clients.

Can the entire formation be done remotely?

Yes, in most cases. Austria has permitted fully digital notarisation since 2022, which means international shareholders can sign articles of association via secure video link without travelling to Vienna. Bank account opening procedures vary by bank but are increasingly remote-friendly. We coordinate the entire process so you do not need to travel for incorporation.

How They Compare

Austria vs Germany vs Netherlands.

The three jurisdictions clients most often weigh up. A side-by-side comparison on the numbers that actually matter.

	Austria	Germany	Netherlands
Primary Vehicle	GmbH or FlexCoFlexCo new since 2024	GmbHUG available for low-capital starts	BVFlex BV since 2012
Min. Share Capital	€10,000€5,000 paid up	€25,000€12,500 paid up	€0.01No meaningful minimum
Corporate Tax	23%Single national rate	~30%15% federal + solidarity + 13–17% trade tax	19% / 25.8%19% to €200k profit, 25.8% above
Formation Time	4–8 weeksFaster with FlexCo + digital notary	4–6 weeksBank account often the bottleneck	1–2 weeksThe fastest of the three
Standout Feature	14% R&D PremiumCash-payable Forschungsprämie even at a loss	EU's largest economyIndustrial & engineering depth	Holding company classicParticipation exemption + treaty network
Best Fit	CEE/SEE entry, R&D-heavy, regional HQ	DACH industrial, B2B manufacturing, regulated sectors	EU holding companies, tech HQs, fast launches
Watch Out For	German-language draftingNotary work primarily in German	Trade tax variabilityEffective rate depends on municipality	30% ruling complexitySubstance requirements increasingly enforced

Comparison data verified April 2026. Tax rates are headline figures — effective burdens vary by deductions, allowances, and structure. We can model the right answer for your situation in 48 hours.

Other Jurisdictions

Austria is one of 100+ markets we cover.

If Austria is not the right answer for your situation, here are the markets clients most often consider alongside it.

View all 100+ jurisdictions →

Start the Conversation

Ready to set up in Austria?

Tell us what you are trying to do and we will come back inside 48 hours with a fixed-price quote and timeline. No pressure to commit — just a clear answer from a senior adviser.

Start a formation → uk@grant-graham.co.uk