COREDO – EU Legal & Compliance Services Expert legal consulting, financial licensing (EMI, PSP, CASP under MiCA), and AML/CFT compliance across the European Union. Headquartered in Prague, we provide seamless regulatory solutions in Germany, Poland, Lithuania, and all 27 EU member states.
Alena Mach
26.11.2025 | 6 min read
Updated: 15.10.2026
Austria is a popular EU entry point for international companies. The Austrian market shows steady GDP growth, and the country is among the top 10 for business transparency in Europe. But behind these figures lies a real dilemma for an entrepreneur: how to open a business in Austria quickly, legally and taking into account all regulatory nuances?
Many face bureaucratic barriers, difficulties in communicating with banks and reporting requirements that differ significantly from the familiar standards of the CIS and Asia. The real challenge is not just Company registration in Austria, but a long-term strategy for entering the Austrian market and scaling the business in the EU in line with all legal and tax requirements.
If you need a practical guide based on the experience of COREDO rather than a "universal instruction", this article gives you answers and strategic ideas for successful integration into the European business space. I recommend reading to the end: you will learn how to minimize risks, choose the optimal corporate structure and ensure transparent processes.
Main forms of companies in Austria: GmbH and AG
Two legal forms dominate in Austria: GmbH (Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung) and AG (Aktiengesellschaft). A GmbH is the optimal choice for small and medium-sized businesses, IT companies, startups and family-run enterprises. The minimum capital for a GmbH in Austria is €10,000, of which at least €5,000 must be paid in cash before registration. A GmbH allows the founder to be the sole shareholder and director, which is convenient for sole entrepreneurs and investors testing the market.
An AG is an instrument for large-scale projects, attracting investment through the issuance of shares and listing on the stock exchange. The minimum capital for an AG in Austria is €70,000, and a single founder is sufficient. COREDO's practice shows: AGs are chosen by international holdings, financial groups and companies planning to go public.
Both forms require mandatory notarization of the founding documents and annual reporting, as well as compliance with European standards of corporate governance and transparency.
Company registration in Austria: step by step
Preparation and selection of the company name
The company name must be unique and correspond to the area of activity. Checks are carried out through the Austrian commercial register (Firmenbuch). It is important to note that the designation GmbH or AG must be included in the company name. The solution developed by COREDO for clients includes a preliminary availability analysis and legal expertise of the name, which helps avoid rejection at the document submission stage.
Determination of founders and directors
Founders can be individuals as well as legal entities, residents and non-residents of the EU. Both a GmbH and an AG can be founded by a single shareholder. company registration with foreign founders in Austria is possible without restrictions, but identity verification and proof of the source of funds of each beneficiary will be required. In the case of registering a company with multiple shareholders or legal entities, the COREDO team conducts a multi-level ownership structure check and prepares the founders' meeting minutes in accordance with Austrian law.
Choice of legal address
The company's legal address in Austria must be confirmed by a lease agreement or ownership. It is permissible to use a nominee service if the company does not carry out active operational activities in the country. COREDO's experience confirms: a correctly chosen legal address speeds up the registration process and reduces the risks of subsequent tax audits.
Formation of the share capital
Minimum capital for a GmbH: 10,000 euros (at least 5,000 euros paid in cash prior to registration). For an AG: 70,000 euros. Payment of the share capital is made to a dedicated bank account before submitting documents to the commercial register. When registering a company with the minimum capital, it is important to documentarily confirm the legality of the source of funds. COREDO's practice includes client support at the capital formation stage and preparation of supporting documents for banks and regulators.
Preparation and notarial certification of founding documents
The deed of incorporation, the company's articles, the founders' meeting minutes and the participants' resolution: mandatory elements of the document package. All documents must be notarized by an Austrian notary. In the case of remote registration or registration by power of attorney, COREDO organizes video verification and an electronic signature using eIDAS or BankID, and also provides an apostille for documents if the founders are located outside the EU.
Opening a bank account and payment of share capital
Banks in Austria impose strict KYC and AML requirements. To open a bank account you will need proof of the source of funds, identification of the true owner (beneficiary) and to undergo an AML check. The solution implemented by COREDO includes a preliminary audit of the document package, preparation of statements on the legal origin of funds and client support at all stages of communication with the bank.
Registration in the commercial register
After preparing and notarizing all documents, the company submits the package to the Austrian commercial register (Firmenbuch). Registration is accompanied by the publication of company details in the Wiener Zeitung. COREDO's experience shows: a correctly prepared document package makes it possible to obtain an extract from the register within 5–10 business days.
Registration for tax purposes
The company must obtain a tax number and, if necessary, register as a VAT payer. An application is submitted to the tax authority, and the founding documents, information about the legal address and the bank account are provided. In the case of creating a tax group or integration with European tax systems, the COREDO team develops an individual strategy for optimizing the tax burden.
Registration of foreign founders
Austrian legislation allows remote company registration using a power of attorney, electronic signature, eIDAS and video verification. This is especially relevant for entrepreneurs from the CIS and Asia who do not plan to personally visit Austria at the incorporation stage. Registering a company with foreign founders in Austria requires thorough preparation of a KYC file, confirmation of the source of funds and, if necessary, apostilling documents. COREDO's solution: comprehensive company registration with minimal risks and maximum transparency, including support at all stages of remote interaction with the notary and the bank.
Reporting and audit requirements
Each company must keep financial statements according to Austrian standards, and under IFRS if necessary. An audit becomes mandatory for AGs and for GmbHs exceeding certain turnover or employee thresholds. COREDO's practice: organizing processes for preparing reports and interacting with auditors, which allows clients to timely meet all requirements and avoid fines.
Austrian tax legislation
Since 2024 the corporate income tax is 23%, the VAT rate is 20%. To optimize the tax burden, it is possible to create a tax group, integrate with European tax systems and use double taxation avoidance agreements. COREDO's solutions include strategic tax structure planning, accounting for the features of parent and subsidiary companies, and analysis of the long-term consequences of registration for the business ROI.
Documents for company registration
Beneficiary identification, confirmation of the legal origin of funds and undergoing AML checks are mandatory stages of company registration in Austria. The open register of participants ensures transparency of the ownership structure. The COREDO team has implemented a multi-level document verification system that allows clients to comply with the requirements of the Anti-Money Laundering Directive, 5AMLD, 6AMLD, FATCA, CRS and GDPR. In the case of complex structures with foreign capital, COREDO provides full support for KYC procedures, including video verification and an electronic signature.
Key findings and recommendations
- To minimize risks when registering a company in Austria, it is important to prepare a KYC file in advance, confirm sources of funds and choose a reliable legal partner.
- Comprehensive company registration taking into account AML/CTF, GDPR, FATCA, CRS and BEPS is the standard for international business aiming for maximum transparency and long-term sustainability.
- The solution developed by COREDO includes strategic planning of the corporate structure, tax optimization and integration with European regulations.
- COREDO's practice confirms: the success of registration and subsequent business development in Austria depends on the quality of document preparation, choice of partners and competent management of corporate risks.
Comparison table of GmbH and AG
| Parameter | GmbH | AG |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum share capital | 10 000 € | 70 000 € |
| Minimum number of founders | 1 | 1 |
| Notarial certification | Required | Required |
| Reporting | Annual | Annual |
| Audit | Under certain conditions | Required |
| Corporate income tax | 23% | 23% |
| VAT | Yes | Yes |
| Possibility of remote registration | Yes | Yes |
| Possibility of using a nominee service | Yes | Yes |
Conclusion of the article
Registering a company in Austria is not just a formal procedure, but a strategic step toward entering the European market and scaling a business within the EU. Starting a business in Austria means integrating into a transparent, sustainable and innovative ecosystem where requirements for corporate governance, reporting and AML/CTF comply with the most stringent international standards. COREDO's experience shows that a comprehensive approach, multi-level document checks and support at every stage of registration not only reduce risks but also lay the foundation for long-term success. If your goal is company registration that takes into account AML/CTF, GDPR, FATCA, CRS and BEPS, as well as maximum transparency and minimal risks, a strategic partnership with COREDO will provide a reliable basis for the development of your business in Austria and the EU.