Business
Austria — Business: Limited Company
An Austrian GmbH or FlexCo needs at least EUR 10,000 in share capital, of which half (EUR 5,000) can be paid in at formation.
VerifiedGovernment / official sourceBusiness Service Portal (USP) — capital contribution and company formsLast reviewed: 2026-10-23
Why this matters
Understanding the process for forming a limited company in Austria is crucial for entrepreneurs and business owners planning to establish a presence in the country, as it can affect tax obligations, shareholder rights, and overall business operations.
Key facts
- A GmbH or Flexible Company must have at least EUR 10,000 in share capital.
- It is legal and common practice to contribute only half (EUR 5,000) at the start.
- Online formation through the USP requires citizenship of an EU, EEA or Swiss state or an Austrian residence permit, plus a main domicile in Austria.
- Electronic start-up is available only for a sole proprietor, a single-member GmbH and a single-member FlexCo.
Steps
- 1. Choose a Name for the GmbH — The name of the GmbH must not be identical or similar to an existing company name in Austria, and must indicate that it is a GmbH.
- 2. Register the GmbH with the Commercial Register — The registration process typically takes several weeks and involves submitting the articles of association (Satzung) and the managing director's ID and address.
- 3. Register for Tax and Social Security — The GmbH must register for tax and social security with the relevant government agencies, including the Austrian Federal Tax Authority (Bundesministerium für Finanzen) and the Austrian Social Insurance Institution (Sicherheitskasse).