Gardener & Florist (Gaertner, Florist)

Qualification: how to prove it

Gärtner/Florist is a regulated trade under §94 Z.20 of the Austrian Trade Act (GewO 1994). The standard route is the qualification exam (befähigungsprüfung).

• Examined by: Meisterprüfungsstelle WK
• Exam modules: 5
• Exam fee: €0 — exam fees are covered by the federal government

If you cannot sit the exam, these routes are open to you:

• Individual assessment under §19 GewO
• Appointing a qualified managing director

Registering the trade

• Cost: Free — registration itself carries no fee
• Where: District administrative authority (Bezirksverwaltungsbehörde)
• Decision within: max. 3 months
• Typically takes: 1-5 Werktage (bei vollstaendigen Unterlagen)
• Start trading: immediately on registration — you do not have to wait for the decision

You can register in these ways:

• Online via GISA (the trade register)
• Online via USP (the business service portal)
• In person at the authority

Who may register

• Minimum age: 18
• Citizenship or residence: Austria, EU, EEA or Switzerland
• Clean record: no disqualifying convictions (checked by the authority)

Documents to bring

• Photo ID
• Certificate of competence (Befähigungsnachweis)
• Criminal record certificate

Terms shown in German are the ones printed on the Austrian forms — you will meet them exactly like this at the authority.

Where to go, by province

Legal basis: GewO 1994 §94 Z.20 . Last reviewed April 2026. This is not legal advice.