Application for a business licence

Application for a business licence is a necessary step in Austria to take up certain commercial activities.

Here are some basics and information you should know:

1. Business registration authority: The registration of a licence takes place at the competent district administrative authority (Bezirkshauptmannschaft or Magistrate) in whose district the registered office is located.
2. Certificate of competence: You need a certificate of competence for a regulated licence. This serves as proof that you have the necessary qualifications for the business. Examples of regulated commercial activities are electrical engineering, gastronomy or carpentry.
3. Free licences: There are also so-called free licences, for which no certificate of competence is required. In this case, a simple registration is sufficient. You can find a list of free licences at the Federal Ministry for Digital and Economic Affairs.
4. Fees: Fees are charged for business licence registration. The exact amount may vary depending on the municipality and type of business.
5. Obligation to notify: If there are any changes to the circumstances stated in the registration (e.g. business address, business purpose, management), these changes must be reported to the business licence registration authority immediately.
6. Business premises licence: In some cases, you will also require a business premises licence, particularly if the activity could have an environmental impact or is safety-relevant.
7. Trade licence: After successful registration, you will receive a trade licence confirming that you are permitted to carry out the trade.
8. Membership of the Chamber of Commerce: When you register your business, you automatically become a member of the regional and specialized group of the Chamber of Commerce responsible for you. This entails contribution obligations, but also various services and counselling opportunities.
9. Further obligations: In addition to registering your business licence, you must also observe other legal aspects, such as registering with the tax office (for VAT, income tax), possibly setting up a company, registering with social insurance, etc.
10. Register a sleeping business: If you do not wish to carry out your business temporarily, you can register it as inactive. During this time, no chamber contributions are due, but the business cannot be operated. The business can be registered as “resting”, which means temporarily not operating. If the licence is resumed at a later date, this must be reported to the relevant state chamber. Finally, the business licence can end in various ways. Without a successor, the business must be stopped if the licence ends.

For foreign persons or companies, there are special options and requirements for exercising a business licence in Austria. 

If you wish to register a business in Austria, it is advisable to seek professional advice (e.g. from a tax consultant, lawyer or the Chamber of Commerce) to ensure that all legal requirements are met and to get the best overview of your obligations and rights.