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Company formation · Austria
Company formation in Austria (GmbH) for foreign entrepreneurs
MAX Solutions coordinates the formation of your Austrian GmbH from Vienna — articles of association, notary, commercial register entry, on request trade licence and business address in 1010 Vienna — and links it with the residence procedure if you intend to work in Austria yourself. For founders from India and other non-EU countries, every mandate begins with the paid feasibility assessment.
In brief
How does company formation (GmbH) in Austria work?
The GmbH (limited liability company) is the legal form we coordinate for foreign entrepreneurs in Austria. The route runs via the articles of association, the notary and the commercial register entry; ongoing administration — bookkeeping, VAT, payroll and annual financial statements — is handled by the tax advisory group steuerexperten.at. Based on experience with complete documents and paid-in share capital: approx. 2–4 weeks until the commercial register entry.
Minimum share capital
The statutory minimum share capital of an Austrian GmbH is EUR 10,000; at least EUR 5,000 of this must be paid in in cash (as of 2026). The share capital is a third-party cost and is not included in the package price.
Until commercial register entry
Based on experience with complete documents and paid-in share capital — not a binding commitment.
The operational process
Four steps to your Austrian GmbH
A well-established process with clear responsibilities — notary, bank and official channels included.
Feasibility Assessment
Written short assessment at EUR 600 plus VAT: is your formation and residence project realistic, which documents are missing, which route is recommended?
Phase 1Articles of association & notary
Coordination of the articles of association and the notary appointment; company structure and business plan to the agreed extent.
as per offerCommercial register & trade licence
Commercial register entry, on request including trade licence; support in preparing the business account opening.
Typically approx. 2–4 weeksOngoing administration
Bookkeeping, VAT, payroll and annual financial statements via steuerexperten.at; business address and mail service in 1010 Vienna by separate agreement.
ongoingTime indications are based on experience with complete documents and are not a binding commitment. The actual duration depends in particular on authorities, banks, courts, the notary and the complexity of the individual case.
Formation and residence
Forming a GmbH — with or without residence in Austria?
Whether you also need a residence permit in addition to the company depends on whether you will be working in Austria yourself. The most important scenarios at a glance — your individual case is examined in the feasibility assessment.
| Your situation | Suitable route | Key requirement |
|---|---|---|
| I am founding my own company with capital and will run it myself in Austria | GmbH plus Red-White-Red Card — self-employed key worker | Proof of macroeconomic benefit (capital transfer, jobs, know-how). An investment of EUR 100,000 is frequently cited as an example (as of 2026) — it is an example, not an automatic eligibility requirement. |
| I am founding a start-up | GmbH plus Red-White-Red Card — start-up founder | EUR 30,000 capital, of which 50 % equity (as of 2026) |
| I am only a shareholder, without residence in Austria | GmbH with shareholder status without own gainful activity | A purely passive shareholding alone does not usually constitute gainful activity in Austria. Residence, activity and the managing director function must be examined separately. |
Figures as of 2026. Sources: ABA / workinaustria.com, usp.gv.at, wien.gv.at. No guarantee of accuracy. All residence pathways: Business Immigration guide.
Transitional phase
Interim management — after individual assessment
If you are not yet in Austria
Where this is possible after examination of the business model, the ownership structure, the source of funds and the statutory and bank-side compliance requirements, interim management can be agreed for a transitional phase. Scope, powers of representation, control mechanisms and responsibilities are set out in a separate agreement.
Handover to you
Once the corporate, residence and trade law requirements are met, management can be transferred to the intended managing director as part of the necessary corporate law steps. Notary, banking partners and the tax advisors of our own group sit at the table with us.
Interim management is assumed only after a successful identity, compliance, business model and source of funds check. There is no entitlement to it. The opening of a bank account is not guaranteed — it is subject solely to the acceptance and compliance review of the respective bank.
Founders from India
Company formation from India: what is different
Documents & apostille
Indian documents require an apostille and certified translations for Austria. We tell you in advance exactly which documents are needed in which form — before you obtain them.
Proof of source of funds
Capital transfers from India must be traceably documented. We structure the evidence so that bank and authority accept it.
Scheduling across continents
Certifications in India, appointments in Vienna: we time the procedure so that no deadline is missed. Advice in German or English.
Figures, stumbling blocks and questions specifically for Indian founders: India Desk.
Costs
What company formation with MAX Solutions costs
Coordination of the GmbH formation is part of the Premium package — the modular company and project solution that combines company set-up and the residence procedure from one source. The specific scope of services is put together individually after the feasibility assessment.
| Service | Fee (net) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Feasibility assessment (Phase 1) | EUR 600 | credited in full when Premium is commissioned |
| Premium — company and residence from one source | from EUR 25,000 | starting price, not a fixed price; individual written offer |
All prices plus VAT where legally due. Existing structures — such as an existing GmbH, business address or documents — can be taken into account. The separately bookable Business Address & Mail Service remains available independently of this.
Third-party costs — not included in the package price
Third-party costs are not included in the package price unless the individual offer expressly states that they are included. Typical third-party costs may include in particular:
- notary fees
- commercial register and court fees
- official fees
- translations, certifications and apostilles
- share capital
- bank charges
- fees of external lawyers, tax advisors and auditors
- travel and delivery costs
Questions and answers
Frequently asked questions about company formation in Austria
Can I form a GmbH in Austria as a foreign entrepreneur?
Yes, we coordinate the formation of Austrian companies for entrepreneurs from India and other non-EU countries. Whether you also need a residence permit depends on whether you will be working in Austria yourself; a purely passive shareholding alone does not usually constitute gainful activity in Austria. Both are clarified in the feasibility assessment.
How long does company formation (GmbH) in Austria take?
Based on experience, approx. 2–4 weeks until the commercial register entry — once all complete documents are available and the share capital has been paid in. This is not a binding commitment; the actual duration depends in particular on authorities, banks, courts, the notary and the complexity of the individual case.
Which steps does the formation include?
Articles of association, notary and commercial register entry — on request including trade licence — as well as support in preparing the account opening. Subsequently bookkeeping, VAT, payroll and annual financial statements via steuerexperten.at.
Do I need a business address in Vienna?
By separate contractual agreement, we provide a business address in 1010 Vienna including address and mail service — as part of a Premium mandate or bookable separately.
What does company formation with MAX Solutions cost?
Coordination of the GmbH formation is part of the Premium package from EUR 25,000 plus VAT — a starting price, not a fixed price. Every mandate begins with the feasibility assessment at EUR 600 plus VAT, which is credited in full when the package is commissioned. Third-party costs such as notary, commercial register, official fees and share capital are not included.
How much share capital does an Austrian GmbH require?
The statutory minimum share capital is EUR 10,000; at least EUR 5,000 of this must be paid in in cash (as of 2026). The share capital is not a fee but a third-party cost — it remains within the assets of the company. Source: usp.gv.at. No guarantee of accuracy.
Can MAX Solutions take over management until I am in Austria?
For a transitional phase, interim management can be agreed after a successful identity, compliance, business model and source of funds check. Scope, powers of representation, control mechanisms, duration, responsibilities and remuneration are agreed separately. There is no entitlement to it.
Is the opening of a business account guaranteed?
No. We support the preparation of the account opening and coordinate with banking partners. The opening is subject solely to the acceptance and compliance review of the respective bank.
Is company formation legal or tax advice?
MAX Solutions provides business consulting services. Legal advice and legal representation as well as tax advice are provided exclusively by professionals authorised to do so; we establish the contact and coordinate — notary, banking partners and the tax advisors of our own group sit at the table with us.
First step
Assess first, then form.
Every company formation with MAX Solutions begins with the feasibility assessment at EUR 600 plus VAT — in writing, can be started from India and credited in full when Premium is commissioned.
Request feasibility assessment