Starting a Business in Austria: A Step-by-Step Guide to the Einzelunternehmen

Starting your own business in Austria can be an attractive opportunity, but the first step is to identify exactly what type of self-employed activity you will carry out. This determines whether you need a trade licence, known as a Gewerbeberechtigung. The information below reflects the situation as of January 2026.

The four main types of self-employed activity

Before registering anything, establish which category your planned work belongs to:

• Commercial or trade activity (gewerbliche Erwerbstätigkeit): activity subject to a trade licence, such as commerce, skilled trades and hospitality.
• Primary production (Urproduktion): the production of raw natural products, including agriculture and forestry, mining, hunting and fishing.
• Professional activity (freiberufliche Tätigkeit): independent, professionally autonomous work, such as tax consultancy or economic auditing.
• “New self-employed” activity (Neue Selbstständige): work carried out under a works contract (Werkvertrag) without a trade licence, for example by authors, psychotherapists and lecturers.

When is an activity considered a trade?

This is the key starting point because it determines whether you need a Gewerbeberechtigung. An activity is considered commercial or trade-related (gewerbsmäßig) when all three of the following conditions apply:

1. Independent: you work for your own account, at your own risk and under your own responsibility.
2. Regular: you carry it out on an ongoing basis or, even if it is a one-off activity, with the intention of repeating it.
3. For profit: you intend to earn money from it.

There are exceptions. For example, someone who shops for their grandmother once a week and receives pocket money in return may formally meet the characteristics of a commercial activity. However, this is one of the simplest types of activity and therefore falls outside the scope of the Austrian Trade, Commerce and Industry Regulation Act (Gewerbeordnung, Section 2).

Free and regulated trades

Trade activities are divided into two main groups:

• Free trades (freie Gewerbe): commerce is one example. A trade licence is required, but proof of professional qualification is not listed as an additional requirement here.
• Regulated trades (reglementierte Gewerbe): skilled trades and hospitality are examples. In addition to the trade licence, you must provide proof of professional qualification (Befähigungsnachweis).

You obtain the trade licence by registering the trade through a Gewerbeanmeldung. The official business portal USP can be used for the administrative process.

What is an Einzelunternehmen?

An Einzelunternehmen is one of the possible legal forms for carrying on a business in Austria. Choosing the right legal form is one part of the initial planning process. The WKO online legal-form guide (Rechtsform-Ratgeber) can help you compare the available options.

Starting as a sole entrepreneur means that you are your own boss and can put your ideas into practice. At the same time, self-employment always involves risk. You carry full responsibility, and especially during the start-up phase you may need to invest substantial time and energy.

Useful personal qualities include perseverance, flexibility, willingness to take risks, strategic thinking, conflict management and an interest in organisation. Industry experience, specialist knowledge and basic commercial knowledge are also helpful.

Planning before registration

Good preparation covers several areas:

• choosing the legal form (Rechtsform);
• preparing a business plan (Businessplan);
• planning financing;
• finding suitable advisory services and seminars.

You can test your business idea with questions such as:

• Who benefits from your product or service?
• Why should customers buy from you?
• How is your offer different from existing alternatives?
• How will you reach customers?
• What costs do you need to expect?

You do not necessarily have to start from zero. You can also take over an existing business whose owner is looking for a successor. Such opportunities are listed on nachfolgeboerse.at.

Where to find support

• WKO Gründerservice: professional information, events and publications, including materials in other languages.
• “Einfach machen” guide (WKO): checking your idea and personal abilities, as well as covering legal and economic basics.
• Unternehmertest (WKO): an aptitude test prepared by psychologists.
• Mindestumsatzrechner (WKO): a calculator showing how much revenue is needed to cover private and business costs.
• Gründerguide (WKO): an interactive guide for people starting a business as their main or secondary activity.
• Plan4You and i2b: free business-plan software and templates.
• Austria Wirtschaftsservice (aws): the state development bank, offering programmes for businesses.

Frequently asked questions

At what age can I obtain a trade licence?

Generally, from the age of full legal capacity, which is 18.

Does every self-employed activity require a trade licence?

No. “New self-employed” people work under a works contract without a trade licence, for example authors and lecturers. A trade licence is required for trade activities.

What is the difference between a free and a regulated trade?

Both require a trade licence. For regulated trades, such as skilled trades and hospitality, proof of professional qualification is also required.

Practical steps to get started

1. Describe precisely what product or service you will offer.
2. Determine whether the activity is a trade, primary production, a professional activity or “new self-employed” work.
3. If it is a trade, check whether it is free or regulated.
4. For a regulated trade, identify how you will provide the required Befähigungsnachweis.
5. Choose a legal form, including considering whether an Einzelunternehmen is suitable for your plans.
6. Prepare a business plan and calculate the minimum revenue needed to cover private and business costs.
7. Use the WKO Gründerservice, WKO tools, Plan4You, i2b and Austria Wirtschaftsservice (aws) for information and planning support.
8. Register the trade through a Gewerbeanmeldung using the official business portal USP, where applicable.

This article is based on information available online and does not constitute professional advice. Use it at your own responsibility. If you need specific guidance, consult a lawyer, legal professional or another relevant specialist.

Source: oesterreich.gv.at