Address for Service of Documents
A registered address (capable of receiving service of documents) is an address at which a person or company can be reached by post and at which official documents can be served with legal effect. It must be stated in the commercial register, the trade register and the imprint.
Explanation
The registered address serves as the official place of service for authorities, courts and business partners. Under Austrian law it is a prerequisite for entry in the commercial register, for trade registration and for fulfilling the imprint obligation. Unlike a post office box, a registered address must be a physical address at which post can actually be received. For companies it is the legal anchor through which they remain reachable in business dealings. The address is also referred to as the business address or registered office address and must be reported to the competent authorities.
Why does this matter?
Every company in Austria needs a registered address. Without one, neither a commercial register entry nor a trade registration is possible. For founders, freelancers and e-commerce entrepreneurs, using a professional business address is often the most practical solution to protect their private address while still meeting all legal requirements.
Legal basis
Section 3 FBG (Commercial Register Act), Section 63 BAO (Federal Fiscal Code), Section 5 ECG (E-Commerce Act)
Relation to postservice.at
postservice.at offers registered business addresses in 1010 Vienna that are accepted for commercial register entries, trade registrations and as an imprint address. The address Seitenstettengasse 5/37 is a genuine physical address with daily incoming post.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a registered address and a post office box?
A registered address is a physical address at which post and official documents can actually be served. A post office box, by contrast, is not a registered address, as no service in the legal sense is possible there.
Can I use a rented business address as a registered address?
Yes, a rented business address is capable of receiving service of documents, provided post is actually received there. At postservice.at, incoming post is accepted daily and you are notified promptly.
Which authorities accept a virtual office address?
All Austrian authorities accept a virtual office address as a registered business address, provided it is a genuine physical address. This includes the commercial register court, the trade authority and the tax office.
Related terms
The registered office (also seat of the company) is the address of a company ent...
Business AddressA business address is the official address of a company under which it appears i...
Imprint ObligationThe imprint obligation requires operators of websites, online shops and other te...
Commercial RegisterThe commercial register is a public register in Austria in which all corporation...
Deemed Service (constructive service)Deemed service means that an official document is considered to have been served...