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Austria at a glance
Austria is an EU member state with its own national company forms and registration rules. Compare company types, capital, tax, timing and signing requirements before you choose. The proposed 28th Regime (EU Inc) is a separate option that is not available yet.
Company types in Austria
- GmbH (Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung) The most common private limited company. Minimum capital EUR 10,000 (at least EUR 5,000 paid in cash), formed by notarial deed and entered in the commercial register (Firmenbuch).
- FlexCo / FlexKapG (Flexible Kapitalgesellschaft) A flexible company introduced on 1 January 2024 for startups: the same EUR 10,000 capital, plus enterprise-value shares for employee equity, fractional shares from EUR 1, and easier share transfers.
Company formation in Austria: key facts (last reviewed July 2026)
- Corporate tax
- Flat corporate income tax (Körperschaftsteuer) of 23% on profit, down from 24% in 2023. A minimum corporate tax of EUR 500 per year applies to a GmbH or FlexCo since 1 January 2024.
- VAT rate
- Standard VAT (Umsatzsteuer) is 20%, with reduced rates of 13% and 10% (for example food, books, cultural events and accommodation).
- Dividends & payroll taxes
- Dividends carry the 27.5% capital-yields tax (KESt). Personal income tax climbs to 55% at the very top, and employer contributions plus payroll levies add roughly 29% around salaries. Budget for the GmbH's EUR 500 minimum corporate tax in lean years.
- Minimum share capital
- EUR 10,000 for both the GmbH and the FlexCo (reduced from EUR 35,000 on 1 January 2024), of which at least EUR 5,000 must be paid in cash. The per-shareholder minimum is just EUR 1 for a FlexCo. An AG requires EUR 70,000.
- Setup time
- Typically about 1 to 3 weeks: a notarial deed (online or in person), depositing the cash capital and obtaining a bank confirmation, then entry in the commercial register (Firmenbuch), which the court usually completes within 1 to 10 working days.
- Remote setup
- Yes. The notarial deed can be signed fully online in a video call with a qualified electronic signature, so non-resident founders can incorporate without travelling to Austria.
- Director / residency
- At least one managing director (Geschäftsführer) is required, with no residency or nationality requirement. A local address for correspondence is useful, and certain regulated trades need an EEA-resident trade-license manager.
- Banking options
- A business account is needed to deposit the cash contribution and obtain the bank confirmation for registration. Common banks are Erste/Sparkasse, Raiffeisen, Bank Austria (UniCredit) and BAWAG; fintechs (N26, Wise, Revolut) are used for daily banking.
- Our formation service
- from around €100 to €200 (estimated). You get a fixed quote in your free plan before you commit.
On 1 January 2024 Austria cut the GmbH minimum capital from EUR 35,000 to EUR 10,000 and launched the FlexCo for startups, which allows employee enterprise-value shares with tax deferred until exit. Incorporation can now be done entirely online by video notarisation.
How to register a company in Austria
Step by step, this is how a Austria formation actually runs:
- Choose GmbH or FlexCo. The GmbH needs EUR 10,000 capital (half paid in); the FlexCo variant adds startup-friendly share classes and employee participation.
- Notarise the deed. The notarial act can be completed fully online by video with qualified e-signatures, workable for non-residents.
- Deposit the capital. Pay at least EUR 5,000 into an Austrian account and obtain the bank confirmation for the court.
- Register in the Firmenbuch. The commercial court enters the company, typically within 1 to 3 weeks in total.
- Tax and trade registrations. Register with the tax office for CIT and VAT; regulated trades also need the business licence (Gewerbeberechtigung).
We can help coordinate documents, address requirements and filings with licensed local counsel. The steps and timing depend on your company and circumstances.
What company formation in Austria costs
Notary and court costs for a standard GmbH commonly total EUR 400 to 900, and first-time founders can use NeuFöG exemptions to waive several fees. Plan for the minimum corporate tax of EUR 500 a year even in loss years. Accounting for a small GmbH typically costs EUR 150 to 300 a month.
Plan your Austrian company formation
Tell us where you live and what you are building. Our formation service fee is from around €100 to €200 (estimated). We help you compare structures and prepare a quote with the scope, costs and expected timing. Government charges, capital and ongoing services are separate unless included in that quote.
Get your free planWho can form a company in Austria
Check ownership eligibility separately from director, local-address and licensing requirements. Permission to own shares does not automatically give you permission to live or work in Austria. The director and residency information above identifies the main formation conditions to review.
Austria fits businesses serving the DACH market that want GmbH credibility with lower capital than Germany, and startups using the FlexCo for employee equity. Running costs sit at the German level, so purely remote micro-businesses usually find lighter homes elsewhere.
After registration: what Austria expects each year
Annual financial statements are filed with the Firmenbuch within nine months of year end (small companies file abbreviated versions). Corporate tax and VAT returns are annual with periodic prepayments, and the EUR 500 minimum CIT applies regardless of profit. Payroll adds monthly municipal and social filings.
Plan beyond the registration fee
Use these guides alongside the national rules for your company. The cost and filing examples cover Estonia, Ireland and Portugal.
Austria and the 28th Regime (EU Inc)
EU Inc, the proposed 28th Regime, would add a harmonised company form in EU member states. Registration is not open and no launch date is confirmed. A national company in Austria is available under existing rules, but a later EU Inc conversion would depend on the adopted law and eligibility. Read how to prepare an EU Inc company, or compare current options in company formation in Europe.
Sources and review scope
Use the linked registries, authorities and specialist references to check the requirements for your company. A review of formation costs and filings does not replace a review of your tax position.
No separate topic-level check date is recorded for this profile. Confirm the current requirements with the linked authority before proceeding.
Reference links
Frequently asked questions
Can a foreigner open a company in Austria?
At least one managing director (Geschäftsführer) is required, with no residency or nationality requirement. A local address for correspondence is useful, and certain regulated trades need an EEA-resident trade-license manager.
How long does company formation in Austria take?
Typically about 1 to 3 weeks: a notarial deed (online or in person), depositing the cash capital and obtaining a bank confirmation, then entry in the commercial register (Firmenbuch), which the court usually completes within 1 to 10 working days.
What corporate tax does a company in Austria pay?
The headline summary is 23%, with standard VAT of 20%. Company form, activity, size and where the business operates can change the treatment. Read the detailed tax information and confirm the rules for your case.
Can I form a company in Austria remotely?
Yes. The notarial deed can be signed fully online in a video call with a qualified electronic signature, so non-resident founders can incorporate without travelling to Austria.
What does it cost to form a company in Austria?
Notary and court costs for a standard GmbH commonly total EUR 400 to 900, and first-time founders can use NeuFöG exemptions to waive several fees. Our formation service fee is from around €100 to €200 (estimated). Government charges, capital and ongoing services must be budgeted separately unless the written quote includes them.