Starting a business

Start a business

You want to become self-employed and start your own business. For this you often need a Gewerbe, a permission for your kind of work. This plan shows you the registration and what matters afterwards.

Check what applies to me

No account · Answers stay in your browser

Steps: 8 key steps, up to 20 depending on your situation
For you: 5 short questions, then you see your steps
Main office: Gewerbebehörde
Costs: No stamp fees / federal administrative charges; check other costs separately
Online: possible for 5 of 20 steps

How it works

These are the key steps, in the right order. Answer the short questions; then you see exactly what applies to you and what is added.

Have your type of work classifiedA Gewerbe is self-employed work that needs to be registered. The Gewerbewortlaut is the exact name of your activity. The Gewerbeordnung is the law for this.For everyone
Why?
The right name decides which rules apply to you. The search here does not decide this bindingly.
What you do
Ask the trade authority or the WKO. The WKO is the chamber of commerce. There you clarify the exact wording and whether the Gewerbeordnung applies.
Where?
Gewerbebehörde / WKOOpen official service
In detail
Have your activity classified
Clarify the exact trade description and whether the activity falls under trade law. Search does not provide binding classification.
SourceGewerbeanmeldung
Gewerbeanmeldung
BMWET · Unternehmensserviceportal · retrieved on 08/10/2026
Open original source
Get advice from the WKOThe WKO is the chamber of commerce. It represents businesses. Its Gründerservice advises people who start a business.For everyone
Why?
With a Gewerbe you are automatically a member of the WKO. Then you may pay fees. The advice helps you not to forget anything.
What you do
Go to the Gründerservice. Clarify the trade wording and the duties of your sector there. Also ask about your industry group and the fees.
Where?
WKO · GründerserviceDirectly with the named service
Related plansFind funding for your business
In detail
Clarify startup advice and WKO membership
Clarify trade wording and outstanding industry duties with startup advice. Activities under trade law involve WKO membership; agree the specific industry group and contributions with the chamber.
SourceGewerbeanmeldung: Gründungsberatung
Gewerbeanmeldung: Gründungsberatung
Wirtschaftskammer Österreich · retrieved on 09/10/2026
Open original source
Prepare your Gewerbe registrationWith the Gewerbeanmeldung you register your trade with the authority. In Vienna the district office or the MA 63 is responsible, depending on the trade.Key step
Why?
You may carry out a free trade from the day you register. For this all conditions must be met and the documents handed in.
What you do
Register in person, in writing or online via GISA. Bring your ID, proof of citizenship, criminal record certificate from your home country and, if needed, your residence permission. The criminal record certificate shows whether you have a criminal record. There are no stamp duties; check other costs separately.
Where?
Zuständige GewerbebehördeElectronic, written or in person as described by the official service
Costs
No stamp fees / federal administrative charges; check other costs separately
What you need
- Identity and citizenship evidence
  Document explained
  Register lookup or an existing GISA entry may replace submission.
  Requirement
  Check for your case
  Submission format
  Clarify format with the service
  Translation
  No specific rule recorded; clarify foreign-language records with the service.
  Authentication
  No specific rule recorded; clarify need before obtaining records.
  Recency
  No fixed age limit recorded; clarify currency with the service.
  SourceGewerbeanmeldung
  Gewerbeanmeldung
  BMWET · Unternehmensserviceportal · retrieved on 08/10/2026
  Open original source
- Criminal record certificate from the home country
  Document explained · Depends on your case
  For residence abroad or less than five years in Austria according to the USP list.
  Requirement
  Check for your case
  Submission format
  Clarify format with the service
  Translation
  No specific rule recorded; clarify foreign-language records with the service.
  Authentication
  No specific rule recorded; clarify need before obtaining records.
  Recency
  No older than three months according to USP; clarify the case.
  SourceGewerbeanmeldung
  Gewerbeanmeldung
  BMWET · Unternehmensserviceportal · retrieved on 08/10/2026
  Open original source
- Residence permission for self-employment
  Document explained · Depends on your case
  For third-country citizenship evidence the relevant permission.
  Requirement
  Check for your case
  Submission format
  Clarify format with the service
  Translation
  No specific rule recorded; clarify foreign-language records with the service.
  Authentication
  No specific rule recorded; clarify need before obtaining records.
  Recency
  No fixed age limit recorded; clarify currency with the service.
  SourceGewerbeanmeldung
  Gewerbeanmeldung
  BMWET · Unternehmensserviceportal · retrieved on 08/10/2026
  Open original source
In detail
Prepare trade registration
The trade authority at the location is responsible, in Vienna the municipal district office or MA 63 depending on the trade. Register in person, in writing or online via GISA, with or without ID Austria; if all conditions are met, GISA Express allows release without processing by the authority. A free trade may be exercised from the day of registration if all conditions are met and the records are submitted. No stamp duties or federal administrative fees.
SourceGewerbeanmeldung
Gewerbeanmeldung
BMWET · Unternehmensserviceportal · retrieved on 08/10/2026
Open original source
Register your Gewerbe online via GISAIn Vienna you can register your trade online via GISA. The online form shows you which documents to upload.Key step
Why?
That way you do not have to go to the office. The procedure is free.
What you do
With ID Austria or EU Login you are entered directly. Without ID Austria you can still send the form. An optional publication in the Amtsblatt der Stadt Wien costs €7.
Where?
Stadt Wien · MA 63 / BezirksamtDirectly with the named service
Related plansSet up ID Austria
In detail
Register online via GISA in Vienna
The online form in GISA shows the trade-specific records to upload. With ID Austria or EU Login direct entry into GISA is possible; without ID Austria the form can still be submitted. The procedure is free; optional publication in the City of Vienna’s official gazette costs €7.
SourceGewerbeanmeldung in Wien
Gewerbeanmeldung in Wien
Stadt Wien · MA 63 · retrieved on 11/10/2026
As of, according to the source: 01.07.2026
Open original source
Check your insurance with the SVSThe SVS is the social insurance for self-employed people. It covers your health, accident and pension insurance.For everyone
Why?
The notice from the authority is not enough. You must clarify yourself with the SVS from when you are insured.
What you do
Send the insurance declaration as the SVS explains. Clarify the start, other jobs and possible exceptions. Keep all replies.
Where?
SVSOpen official service
In detail
Check SVS notification and insurance
Authority notification does not replace your own clarification with SVS. Submit the insurance declaration following SVS guidance and clarify coverage start, other employment and possible exceptions. Keep responses.
SourceVersicherungsanmeldung für Gewerbetreibende
Versicherungsanmeldung für Gewerbetreibende
SVS · retrieved on 09/10/2026
Open original source
Register your business with the tax officeHere you report your business to the Finanzamt Österreich. You may then get a tax number. That is your number for taxes.Key step
Why?
The tax office must know that you have a business. As a rule, you report it within one month after starting.
What you do
Write down what you do and roughly how much you expect to earn. Fill in the right questionnaire; for individuals the source names Verf 24. Check the way to submit it separately.
Where?
Finanzamt ÖsterreichOpen official service
When?
Generally within one month of opening; no automatic due-date calculation.
In detail
Prepare tax organisation
Notify the tax office about opening the business and clarify allocation of a tax number. Prepare the activity description and expected turnover/profit for the appropriate questionnaire. The source lists Verf 24 for individuals; verify legal form and submission route.
SourceBetriebseröffnung: Meldung beim Finanzamt
Betriebseröffnung: Meldung beim Finanzamt
Unternehmensserviceportal · retrieved on 09/10/2026
Open original source
Set up your bookkeepingBookkeeping means you record all income and spending. Receipts are bills and invoices.For everyone
Why?
That way you know how much you earn. You also need it for taxes.
What you do
Keep private and business receipts apart. Set up clear files for invoices, payments and contracts. Ask a tax adviser how long you must keep everything.
Where?
Steuerliche Beratung / USPDirectly with the named service
In detail
Set up bookkeeping and receipt records
Organise private and business records separately. Set up a clear filing system for invoices, payments and contracts. Clarify the appropriate accounting method and retention duties with tax advice.
SourceGründung
Gründung
Unternehmensserviceportal · retrieved on 08/10/2026
Open original source
Make an invoice templateAn invoice is a paper with which you ask for money for your work. A template is a pattern you use again and again.For everyone
Why?
Invoices must contain certain details. Different rules apply depending on the customer.
What you do
Check the rules for private customers, companies and public bodies. Clarify VAT, the tax on sales. For federal government orders the invoice goes electronically.
Where?
USP / steuerliche BeratungDirectly with the named service
In detail
Prepare an invoice template for your customers
Check official invoice duties for consumers, businesses and public customers. Clarify VAT treatment and electronic invoicing for federal contracts before using the template.
SourceRechnung: Pflichten nach Kundenkreis
Rechnung: Pflichten nach Kundenkreis
Unternehmensserviceportal · retrieved on 09/10/2026
Open original source

Depending on your situation, this is added

Show that you can do the work
Check if your residence permit allows this work
Choose business type and the person in charge
Have your business premises checked
Attach your proof and wait for the decision
Find the office outside Vienna
Check your GISA entry
Prepare your till and receipts
Show your prices clearly
Add the required details to your website
Plan your business alongside your job
Expand or move your Gewerbe

Use the questions to find out which of these apply to you

Frequently asked questions

Can I do this online?

5 of 20 possible steps mention an online channel in their text. Requirements are in the official source.

What does it cost?

Costs or fees are stated for 1 step according to the source; details are listed with the step.

Do I need an einfach.wien account?

No. The plan works without registration; answers stay in your browser.

Does einfach.wien submit my application?

No. einfach.wien helps you prepare and links official channels. You submit applications yourself to the responsible service.

What this page is based on

The information is based on official sources. einfach.wien is a private project; the content has not been professionally reviewed. All information without guarantee, no legal advice. The responsible office is always authoritative.

SourceGewerbeanmeldung

Gewerbeanmeldung

BMWET · Unternehmensserviceportal · retrieved on 08/10/2026

How it works

What you need

Depending on your situation, this is added

Frequently asked questions

What this page is based on

Similar plans

How it works

What you need

Depending on your situation, this is added

Frequently asked questions

What this page is based on

Similar plans