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Surface Treatment (Oberflaechentechnik)
GewO §94 Z.49
Verified: April 2026
Key Facts
- Type: Regulated trade (Handwerk)
- Qualification: Master exam (Meisterpruefung)
- Registration cost: Free (€0)
- Environmental: Strict chemical and wastewater regulations
- Note: Business premises approval always required
What This Trade Covers
- Galvanic coating (chrome plating, nickel plating, zinc plating)
- Powder coating and wet painting (industrial)
- Anodizing of aluminum
- Hot-dip galvanizing
- Electropolishing and chemical polishing
- Corrosion protection treatments
Environmental Compliance
Surface treatment operations use hazardous chemicals (acids, heavy metals,
solvents). A business premises approval (Betriebsanlagengenehmigung) is
mandatory. Wastewater treatment, emission controls, and hazardous waste
disposal must meet strict Austrian and EU environmental standards.
Qualification Alternatives
- Master exam (Meisterpruefung) for surface technicians
- Relevant technical education + practical experience
- Individual assessment (§19 GewO) with documented expertise
- Qualified manager (§39 GewO) who holds the qualification
Related Guides
Qualification: how to prove it
Oberflächentechnik is a regulated trade under §94 Z.46 of the Austrian Trade Act (GewO 1994). The standard route is the qualification exam (befähigungsprüfung).
- Examined by: 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
| Province | Competent authority |
|---|---|
| Vienna | Magistrat der Stadt Wien, MA 63 |
| Lower Austria | Bezirkshauptmannschaft |
| Upper Austria | Bezirkshauptmannschaft / Magistrat Linz/Wels/Steyr |
| Styria | Bezirkshauptmannschaft / Magistrat Graz |
| Tyrol | Bezirkshauptmannschaft / Magistrat Innsbruck |
| Salzburg | Bezirkshauptmannschaft / Magistrat Salzburg |
| Carinthia | Bezirkshauptmannschaft / Magistrat Klagenfurt/Villach |
| Burgenland | Bezirkshauptmannschaft |
| Vorarlberg | Bezirkshauptmannschaft / Magistrat Bregenz |
Legal basis: GewO 1994 §94 Z.46 . Last reviewed April 2026. This is not legal advice.
Legally binding: German text of GewO 1994.