Forming a company in Austria: registered office and business address
From a GmbH to an association: start your company formation with a registered business address in 1010 Vienna. For the commercial register and trade registration.
Forming a company in Austria starts with choosing a legal form. Where required, you register the trade (recorded in the GISA; a free trade is free of charge), have corporations entered in the commercial register by notarial deed, and need a registered business address plus registration with the SVS social insurance. A sole proprietorship starts without capital, a GmbH from EUR 10,000 share capital (of which EUR 5,000 in cash). Formation takes a few days to a few weeks depending on the legal form.
You will find a detailed step-by-step company formation guide in our blog. Sources: the Business Service Portal (USP) and the RIS.
The right legal form for your company
Every legal form has its advantages. Choose the right company structure and start with a professional business address in Vienna.
Company formation
Your company in the register, with a Vienna business address
We provide the registered business address in 1010 Vienna that your company-register entry requires.
Legal forms compared: capital, liability, commercial register
The five most common legal forms for a company formation in Austria at a glance. Every legal form links to the detailed guide.
| Legal form | Minimum capital | Liability | Commercial register | Formation / notary | Typical for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sole proprietorship | None | Unlimited, personal | Optional (mandatory above accounting threshold) | Trade registration, no notary | Solo founders, freelancers |
| OG | None | Unlimited, joint | Yes (mandatory) | Register filing, no notarial deed | Two or more partners |
| KG | None | General partner unlimited, limited partner up to contribution | Yes (mandatory) | Register filing, no notarial deed | Active plus capital-providing partners |
| GmbH | EUR 10,000 (5,000 cash) | Limited to company assets | Yes (mandatory) | Notarial deed (single-person formation also digital) | Liability-conscious founders, teams |
| FlexCo | EUR 10,000 (5,000 cash) | Limited to company assets | Yes (mandatory) | Notarial deed, enterprise value shares possible | Start-ups with employee participation |
Minimum capital and commercial register obligations under the GmbHG, FlexKapGG and Commercial Register Act. Sources: Business Service Portal (USP), RIS (GmbHG) and RIS (FlexKapGG). The AG from EUR 70,000 nominal capital and the association are in the legal-form overview above.
Why a business address when forming a company?
Every company formation in Austria requires a registered business address.
Commercial register entry
Our address is recognised as a registered office by all Austrian commercial register courts.
Trade registration
For trade registration with the responsible district authority, you need a location.
Official recognition
Our address is recognised as a business location by all Austrian authorities.
Tax office and VAT ID
Apply for your tax number and VAT ID with a professional business address in Vienna.
Form your company in 7 steps
From choosing a legal form to starting operations. Each step stands on its own and applies to all legal forms in Austria.
- 1
Choose a legal form
Decide whether to form a sole proprietorship, OG, KG, GmbH or FlexCo. Liability, capital needs and taxation are the deciding factors.
- 2
Company name and articles of association
Choose your company name and, for partnerships and companies, set the articles of association; for a GmbH and FlexCo as a notarial deed.
- 3
Secure a business address
Every company needs a registered business address in Austria. Through Postservice.at you get a business address in 1010 Vienna for the commercial register and authorities.
- 4
Register the trade
Register your trade with the district authority. Free trades are free of charge and are recorded in the GISA.
- 5
Commercial register entry
Register corporations and registered partnerships for entry in the commercial register. A GmbH only comes into existence with this entry.
- 6
Tax office and SVS
Apply for your tax number and VAT ID at the tax office and register with the SVS for social insurance.
- 7
Business account and start
Open a business account, pay in the share capital and start operations.
„In der Regel erlangt die Gesellschaft mit der Eintragung in das Firmenbuch Rechtspersönlichkeit.“
Company formation in Austria in figures
Company formation in Austria is growing: in 2024, 39,554 companies were newly founded, around five percent more than in 2023. The formation rate was 6.3 percent, and each formation created 1.2 jobs on average (source: Statistics Austria, Business Demography 2024). You will find all figures in our company formation statistics.
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Frequently asked questions about company formation
Which legal form is right for me?
It depends on your requirements: for individuals, a sole proprietorship is a good fit, and for teams a GmbH or OG. The decisive factors are liability, capital and tax considerations.
Is the address accepted by the commercial register?
Yes, our address at Seitenstettengasse 5/37, 1010 Vienna is a registered business address and is recognised as a registered office by all Austrian commercial register courts.
Which documents do I receive for the formation?
You receive a contract as proof of the registered office. This document is accepted as proof of location by commercial register courts, district authorities and the tax office.
How quickly can I form my company after booking?
After booking, your contract is prepared and signed on site or digitally. You can then directly apply for the commercial register entry and trade registration.
How much does a business address for company formation cost?
Our business address is available from €49 per month. The price includes the address, contract, company nameplate and incoming mail.
How much does it cost to start a company?
It depends on the legal form. Registering a free trade is free of charge, and a sole proprietorship starts without capital. For a GmbH or FlexCo you need EUR 10,000 share capital, of which at least EUR 5,000 in cash. Notary and commercial register fees apply on top. A business address at Postservice.at is available from €49 per month.
How long does it take to form a GmbH?
Forming a GmbH usually takes one to three weeks. After the notarial deed and payment of the share capital, the company is entered in the commercial register. The GmbH only comes into existence with this entry. The simplified single-person formation via the Business Service Portal is often faster.
Can I form a company without my own office?
Yes. You do not need a physical office, but you do need a registered business address in Austria. A mere PO box is not sufficient. Postservice.at provides a real business address in 1010 Vienna that is recognised by the commercial register, authorities and the tax office. It is available from €49 per month.
Which legal form suits a one-person formation?
For solo founders, a sole proprietorship is a good fit: fast, no minimum capital and no notary. If you want to limit liability, choose a single-person GmbH or FlexCo with EUR 10,000 share capital. The choice depends on liability, tax and capital needs.
Sources
- Austrian Limited Liability Companies Act (GmbHG) in the Legal Information System (RIS)
- FlexCo Act (FlexKapGG) in the Legal Information System (RIS)
- Commercial register: information and obligations (Business Service Portal)
- Trade registration (Business Service Portal)
- Federal business start-up guide (USP)
- Statistics Austria: Business Demography 2024 (30 June 2026)
- Public commercial register search (JustizOnline)