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Founder Navigator
Up to 5 questions — citizenship, residence, activity, qualification, location — and you get a checklist for your situation. Every step links to the detailed guide it is taken from.
Question 1 of 5
Your checklist
Built from your answers. Orientation, not legal advice — each step links to the guide with the paragraphs and sources.
- Residence: nothing to do
As an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen you have the same trade-registration rights as Austrian citizens — no residence permit needed (EU freedom of establishment).
- Confirm your permit covers self-employment
Permits such as Rot-Weiß-Rot-Karte Plus, Daueraufenthalt – EU, Niederlassungsbewilligung or Aufenthaltsberechtigung Plus include self-employment authorization. Double-check your exact permit type in the table — the binding answer comes from the residence authority.
- Verify your work authorization first
Trade registration requires a residence permit with self-employment authorization. Compare your permit against the table — the binding answer comes from the residence authority, not from any guide.
- Plan your residence permit first
You will likely need a residence permit with self-employment authorization before you can register a trade in Austria. Start with the orientation guide, then verify with the primary source.
- Find your trade
Whether an activity is a free or a regulated trade is the most important fork in Austrian trade law. Browse all 75 regulated trades or take the 3-question decision helper.
- No qualification proof needed
Free trades require no qualification proof. Since 2026 they can be registered via GISA-Express with automated processing — the system checks eligibility instantly.
- No qualification proof needed
Free trades require no qualification proof. Note: the automated GISA-Express route is not available for third-country nationals (a document check is needed) — register via GISA/USP online or at the district authority instead.
- Prepare your qualification proof
For a regulated trade you submit your Befähigungsnachweis (qualification proof) with the registration — which documents count depends on the trade.
- Start the recognition procedure
For a qualification obtained in the EU/EEA or Switzerland, Directive 2005/36/EC gives you the right to a formal recognition or equivalence procedure (Anerkennung/Gleichhaltung). Do this before registering.
- Have your qualification assessed
For a qualification obtained outside the EU/EEA the recommended path is the individual assessment (§ 19): your training and experience are assessed for equivalence.
- Choose your qualification route
Three routes without a formal qualification: individual assessment (§ 19), the qualification exam (exam fees covered by the government since 2023), or a qualified manager (§ 39).
Individual assessment (§ 19)Qualified manager (§ 39)All 4 paths
- Gather your documents
Photo ID (passport or ID card); qualification proof if the trade is regulated; a criminal record check from your home country if you have lived in Austria for less than 5 years.
- Register your trade — € 0
Online via GISA (gisa.gv.at, 24/7) or the USP portal, or in person at the district authority (Bezirksverwaltungsbehörde) of your business location. The registration itself is free, and you may start immediately upon complete registration (§ 345 GewO) — except reliability trades (e.g. security services, chimney sweeps, funeral services, building contractors), which need official approval first.
- Know the real costs
Registration is free — but courses, social insurance and other items can cost money. The honest full list, with what is avoidable.
- Check your Vienna market
Competitor density, trend and district comparison for Vienna from official GISA data — free, no sign-up.
- Check your regional market
Competitor density and trend for your federal state from official GISA data — free, no sign-up.
Legally binding is only the German text of the Gewerbeordnung 1994 (RIS); for residence questions the primary source is migration.gv.at. This page explains; the law decides.