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  • Understand a letterTake a photo or paste the text. You learn who is writing, what they want and by when.
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  • Find an officeWho is responsible for what? With address, opening hours and map.
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  • Words explained simplyOfficial German like “Bescheid” or “Frist” in everyday words.
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  4. Pause or restart your business
Starting a business

Pause or restart your business

Official name: Pause or resume a trade

Ruhend (dormant) means you take a break from your business. A Gewerbe is your registered self-employed work. Here you see how to report the break or the restart.

Check what applies to me

No account · Answers stay in your browser

Steps
6 key steps, up to 13 depending on your situation
For you
5 short questions, then you see your steps
Main office
WKO Wien
Costs
none named in the sources
Online
possible for 2 of 13 steps
What applies to you?How it worksFrequently asked questionsSourcesSimilar plans

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.

  1. 1Note your trade and start dateHere you note which business it is about. And when the break starts.Key step
    Why?
    During the break you keep your licence. Some businesses have their own reporting rules.
    What you do
    Write everything down outside the app. Ask the WKO or the Gewerbebehörde if you are unsure.
    Where?
    WKO Wien / GewerbebehördeDirectly with the named service
    In detail

    Record the licence and start

    Keep the specific record outside this app. Special trades have their own reporting rules; suspension retains the licence.

    SourceRuhend- oder Wiederaufnahmemeldung
    Ruhend- oder Wiederaufnahmemeldung

    Stadt Wien · retrieved on 10/10/2026

    Open original source
  2. 2Check the rules for your tradeHere you check which rules apply to your business. The WKO is the chamber of commerce.Key step
    Why?
    This decides where and when you report.
    What you do
    Clear up your exact licence with the WKO. Then you choose the office and the time.
    Where?
    WKO WienDirectly with the named service
    In detail

    Determine the trade rule before choosing a route

    Check the exact licence and special rule with WKO. Choose the reporting service and date afterwards.

    SourceRuhend- oder Wiederaufnahmemeldung
    Ruhend- oder Wiederaufnahmemeldung

    Stadt Wien · retrieved on 10/10/2026

    Open original source
  3. 3Prepare the standard noticeHere you prepare a normal report. It is for businesses without special rules.Key step
    Why?
    From the start, a deadline of three weeks runs.
    What you do
    Choose the date and the responsible trade group. During the break you may not advertise, offer or work.
    Where?
    WKO WienDirectly with the named service
    In detail

    Prepare the general report

    Choose date and competent trade organisation. The three-week window runs from the start. During suspension neither advertise, offer nor carry out the trade.

    SourceRuhendmeldung und Wiederaufnahme
    Ruhendmeldung und Wiederaufnahme

    Wirtschaftskammer Österreich · retrieved on 10/10/2026

    Open original source
  4. 4Send the notice to the WKOHere you report the break or the restart to the WKO.Key step
    Why?
    The deadline is three weeks from the start. This way your report is on time.
    What you do
    Report online with WKO eServices or in writing. Name the business and the date. If someone represents you in writing, send the original power of attorney. Keep the receipt.
    Where?
    WKO WienWKO eServices or written contact
    When?
    Within three weeks of starting.

    What you need

    • Trade and effective date
      Document explained

      Prepare name/company, trade and start; sign where required for the written route.

      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.
      SourceRuhendmeldung und Wiederaufnahme
      Ruhendmeldung und Wiederaufnahme

      Wirtschaftskammer Österreich · retrieved on 10/10/2026

      Open original source
    • Original authorisation for written representation
      Document explained · Depends on your case

      WKO clarifies different evidence for professional representatives.

      Requirement
      Check for your case
      Submission format
      Original
      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.
      SourceRuhendmeldung und Wiederaufnahme
      Ruhendmeldung und Wiederaufnahme

      Wirtschaftskammer Österreich · retrieved on 10/10/2026

      Open original source
    In detail

    Submit the general report

    Report suspension or resumption to WKO within three weeks of starting. Use the chosen online route or written contact and retain receipt evidence.

    SourceRuhendmeldung und Wiederaufnahme
    Ruhendmeldung und Wiederaufnahme

    Wirtschaftskammer Österreich · retrieved on 10/10/2026

    Open original source
  5. 5Check the letter from the SVSThe SVS is the social insurance for self-employed people. It sends you a notice, that is a letter.Key step
    Why?
    The WKO usually reports the break to the SVS itself. You do not need to report it twice.
    What you do
    Check the letter from the SVS. If none comes, contact the SVS. Keep your receipt.
    Where?
    SVSDirectly with the named service

    What you need

    • Report receipt
      Document explained

      Retain for SVS enquiries.

      Requirement
      Check for your case
      Submission format
      Copy
      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.
      SourceUnterbrechung der Selbständigkeit
      Unterbrechung der Selbständigkeit

      SVS · retrieved on 10/10/2026

      Open original source
    • Existing SVS notice
      Document explained · Depends on your case

      Check actual insurance and effective dates.

      Requirement
      Check for your case
      Submission format
      Copy
      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.
      SourceGewerbetreibende: Beginn und Ende
      Gewerbetreibende: Beginn und Ende

      SVS · retrieved on 10/10/2026

      Open original source
    In detail

    Check or request the SVS notice

    WKO normally informs SVS; no automatic duplicate report. Check its notice. If absent, contact SVS. End and resumption dates differ.

    SourceUnterbrechung der Selbständigkeit
    Unterbrechung der Selbständigkeit

    SVS · retrieved on 10/10/2026

    Open original source
  6. 6Sort out health insurance during the breakThis is about your health insurance during the break.Key step
    Why?
    Your current cover may end. Clear this up before it happens.
    What you do
    Ask the SVS or your future health insurer. Do not rely on automatic insurance.
    Where?
    SVS / künftiger KrankenversicherungsträgerDirectly with the named service
    In detail

    Clarify continuing health cover

    Before existing cover ends, clarify coverage with SVS or the future insurer. Dependent or continued insurance is not automatic.

    SourceGewerbetreibende: Beginn und Ende
    Gewerbetreibende: Beginn und Ende

    SVS · retrieved on 10/10/2026

    Open original source

Depending on your situation, this is added

  • Find out who may report it
  • Sort out the special rule
  • Sort out restarting your special trade
  • Report the break in advance
  • Sort out a late break separately
  • Check your other trades and roles
  • Answer the request for more information
Use the questions to find out which of these apply to you
Tailored to you

What applies to you?

Answer a few short questions. The steps change right away: what does not apply to you drops out.

Question 1 of at most 5

How far along are you with the report?

What is meant? This asks how far you are. Has the break started, and have you reported it yet?

What is the current stage?
  • No sign-up needed
  • Nothing is sent to authorities
  • You submit applications yourself

Frequently asked questions

Can I do this online?

2 of 13 possible steps mention an online channel in their text. Requirements are in the official source.

What does it cost?

No costs are recorded for these steps in the linked sources. Fees may still apply.

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.

SourceRuhend- oder Wiederaufnahmemeldung
Ruhend- oder Wiederaufnahmemeldung

Stadt Wien · retrieved on 10/10/2026

Open original source
SourceRuhendmeldung und Wiederaufnahme
Ruhendmeldung und Wiederaufnahme

Wirtschaftskammer Österreich · retrieved on 10/10/2026

Open original source
SourceRuhen spezieller Gewerbe: Anzeige
Ruhen spezieller Gewerbe: Anzeige

Stadt Wien · retrieved on 10/10/2026

Open original source
SourceGewerbetreibende: Beginn und Ende
Gewerbetreibende: Beginn und Ende

SVS · retrieved on 10/10/2026

Open original source
SourceUnterbrechung der Selbständigkeit
Unterbrechung der Selbständigkeit

SVS · retrieved on 10/10/2026

Open original source

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