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TopicsSee all 154 plans
  • Arriving & residence
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  • Money & pension
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ToolsNo sign-up, free of charge
  • Understand a letterTake a photo or paste the text. You learn who is writing, what they want and by when.
  • Fill in a formExplained field by field, for example the registration form or the housing allowance application.
  • What am I entitled to?A few questions, then you see which support may apply to you.
  • Find an officeWho is responsible for what? With address, opening hours and map.
  • Remember deadlinesAdd a date and get a reminder by e-mail or in your calendar.
  • Words explained simplyOfficial German like “Bescheid” or “Frist” in everyday words.
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Starting a business

Close your business

Official name: Surrender a trade licence and organise business closure

A Gewerbe is the permission to run your own trade or business. Here you learn how to end this permission. You also see what still matters afterwards, for example tax and insurance.

Check what applies to me

No account · Answers stay in your browser

Steps
6 key steps, up to 17 depending on your situation
For you
5 short questions, then you see your steps
Main office
Gewerbebehörde
Costs
none named in the sources
Online
possible for 4 of 17 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. 1Tell apart giving up a trade and closingZurücklegung means you give up your trade licence. The licence is the permission for your trade. Betriebsaufgabe means you stop your whole business.Key step
    Why?
    These are two different things. If you give up the whole licence, all its locations end too. But your business is not fully closed by this.
    What you do
    The Gewerbebehörde is the office for trade licences. There you can find out what applies in your case.
    Where?
    GewerbebehördeDirectly with the named service
    In detail

    Define licence surrender and business closure

    Surrendering the entire licence also ends its additional locations. It does not complete full business dissolution.

    SourceGewerbeberechtigung zurücklegen
    Gewerbeberechtigung zurücklegen

    Unternehmensserviceportal · retrieved on 10/10/2026

    Open original source
  2. 2Report giving up the trade to the officeHere you tell the office that you give up your trade. This report is called an Anzeige.Key step
    Why?
    The notice counts from arrival or from a later day you state. After that you cannot take it back.
    What you do
    You report in person, in writing or electronically. In Vienna the Bezirksamt or MA 63 is responsible, depending on the trade. Bring an official photo ID and your old Gewerbeschein. Keep the receipt safe.
    Where?
    Zuständige GewerbebehördeIn person or in writing

    What you need

    • Notice details
      Document explained

      Name/company, trade wording, location, GISA number and later date if applicable.

      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.
      SourceGewerbeberechtigung zurücklegen
      Gewerbeberechtigung zurücklegen

      Unternehmensserviceportal · retrieved on 10/10/2026

      Open original source
    • Official photo identification
      Document explained

      Prepare official identification.

      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.
      SourceGewerbeberechtigung zurücklegen
      Gewerbeberechtigung zurücklegen

      Unternehmensserviceportal · retrieved on 10/10/2026

      Open original source
    • Old trade certificate and existing credentials
      Document explained

      Coordinate return with the authority.

      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.
      SourceGewerbeberechtigung zurücklegen
      Gewerbeberechtigung zurücklegen

      Unternehmensserviceportal · retrieved on 10/10/2026

      Open original source
    In detail

    Submit a considered surrender notice to the authority

    Submit in person, in writing or electronically; in Vienna the district office or MA 63 depending on the trade. Effective on receipt or stated later date; irrevocable once received. Retain receipt.

    SourceGewerbeberechtigung zurücklegen
    Gewerbeberechtigung zurücklegen

    Unternehmensserviceportal · retrieved on 10/10/2026

    Open original source
  3. 3Tell the tax office you are closingAn Einzelunternehmen is a business owned by one person. The Finanzamt is the tax office.Key step
    Why?
    The tax office needs to know that you have stopped. Report it within one month after your activity ends.
    What you do
    You report in person, by post, by fax or through FinanzOnline. An informal letter is enough, or the form Verf25. Open taxes and any closure gain are checked separately.
    Where?
    Zuständiges FinanzamtDirectly with the named service
    When?
    Within one month after closure.

    What you need

    • Informal notice or Verf 25
      Document explained

      Prepare the official form or signed notice; tax details stay outside this platform.

      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.
      SourceBetriebsaufgabe beim Finanzamt anzeigen
      Betriebsaufgabe beim Finanzamt anzeigen

      Unternehmensserviceportal / BMF · retrieved on 10/10/2026

      Open original source
    In detail

    Report sole-business closure to the tax office

    Within one month after activity ends; in person, by post, fax or FinanzOnline. Clarify outstanding tax and closure gains separately; no tax calculation here.

    SourceBetriebsaufgabe beim Finanzamt anzeigen
    Betriebsaufgabe beim Finanzamt anzeigen

    Unternehmensserviceportal / BMF · retrieved on 10/10/2026

    Open original source
  4. 4Deregister your employeesEmployees are people who work for you. Deregistration means you sign them off with the insurer.Key step
    Why?
    Ending your trade does not replace this deregistration. You must do it separately.
    What you do
    Arrange this with your payroll service and the responsible insurer. Payroll handles the wage statements. The insurer is the office where the employees are insured.
    Where?
    Payroll / Insurance providerDirectly with the named service
    In detail

    Organise employee deregistration separately

    Coordinate employee deregistration with payroll and the competent insurer. Trade closure does not replace it.

    SourceEinzelunternehmen beenden
    Einzelunternehmen beenden

    Unternehmensserviceportal · retrieved on 10/10/2026

    Open original source
  5. 5Check the letter from the SVSThe SVS is the social insurance for self-employed people. A Verständigung is a notice from the office.Key step
    Why?
    Normally the trade office informs the SVS. Still check that your insurance end is correct.
    What you do
    Look for the notice or the decision (Bescheid) about the surrender. A Bescheid is a written decision from the office. Is it missing, or is it urgent? Contact the SVS with this proof.
    Where?
    SVSDirectly with the named service

    What you need

    • Surrender notice or decision
      Document explained

      Prepare for enquiries and an urgent direct notification.

      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.
      SourceEinzelunternehmen beenden
      Einzelunternehmen beenden

      Unternehmensserviceportal · retrieved on 10/10/2026

      Open original source
    In detail

    Check SVS notice and insurance end

    The trade authority normally informs SVS. Check its notice; if missing or urgent, contact SVS with the evidence. Check other licences and insurance grounds separately.

    SourceEinzelunternehmen beenden
    Einzelunternehmen beenden

    Unternehmensserviceportal · retrieved on 10/10/2026

    Open original source
  6. 6Sort out your insurance afterwardsInsurance cover means, for example, you are insured when you see a doctor. This is about the time after your trade.Key step
    Why?
    Not all insurance ends automatically. But you are also not automatically insured further.
    What you do
    Ask the SVS or your future insurer. They tell you how it continues for you.
    Where?
    SVS / künftiger VersicherungsträgerDirectly with the named service
    In detail

    Clarify subsequent insurance cover

    Do not assume all insurance ends or continued cover is automatic. Clarify actual subsequent coverage with SVS or the future insurer.

    SourceGewerbetreibende: Beginn und Ende
    Gewerbetreibende: Beginn und Ende

    SVS · retrieved on 10/10/2026

    Open original source

Depending on your situation, this is added

  • Decide how much you want to end
  • Report a break instead of an end
  • Close only the branch
  • Find out who may report it
  • Have seizures or restrictions checked
  • Find out when the notice takes effect
  • Finish the open steps afterwards
  • First sort out the insolvency route
  • Check other reasons for your insurance
  • Sort out closing the company separately
  • Have the company removed from the Firmenbuch
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

Have you already told the office that you are giving up your trade licence?

What is meant? How far are you? Zurücklegung means giving up your trade licence. Reported means you have told the office.

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?

4 of 17 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.

SourceGewerbeberechtigung zurücklegen
Gewerbeberechtigung zurücklegen

Unternehmensserviceportal · retrieved on 10/10/2026

Open original source
SourceRuhendmeldung und Wiederaufnahme
Ruhendmeldung und Wiederaufnahme

Wirtschaftskammer Österreich · retrieved on 10/10/2026

Open original source
SourceWeitere Betriebsstätte zurücklegen
Weitere Betriebsstätte zurücklegen

Stadt Wien · retrieved on 10/10/2026

Open original source
SourceBetriebsaufgabe beim Finanzamt anzeigen
Betriebsaufgabe beim Finanzamt anzeigen

Unternehmensserviceportal / BMF · 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
SourceEinzelunternehmen beenden
Einzelunternehmen beenden

Unternehmensserviceportal · retrieved on 10/10/2026

Open original source

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