Setting Up a Company

Types of Companies and Capital (Max/Min)	Number of Partners/Shareholders and Liability
Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung (GmbH) is a Private Limited Company. Minimum 35,000€. 50% totally subscribed and released at the creation.	No minimum. Partners' liability is limited to the amount contributed.
Aktiengesellschaft (AG) is a Public Limited Company. Minimum 70,000€. 25% totally subscribed and released at the creation.	No minimum. Partners' liability is limited to the amount contributed.
Offene Handelsgesellschaft (OHG) is a general partnership company. No minimum capital.	Minimum 2 partners. Partners' liability is joint and several for social debts.
Kommanditgesellschaft (KG) is a limited partnership No minimum capital.	Two types of partners: active partners and sleeping partners. Liability of active partners is unlimited. Liability of sleeping partners is limited to the amount contributed.

The Competent Organization: Office of the Commercial Register
Search a Company or a Financial Report: ABN Lookup, available information provided by businesses.
Compnet, Looking for a company (in Deutsch)

Source: Doing Business.

Business Setup Procedures: Consult Doing Business Website, to know about procedures to start a Business in Austria.
Austrian Commercial Register

Working Conditions

Legal Weekly Duration: 40 hours
Retirement Age: 60 for women and 65 for men.
Working Contracts: The employment contracts in Austria are regulated by the Employment Contract Law. However terms & types of such contracts are governed by the collective bargaining agreements ("Kollektivvertrag"). A non-EU person needs to obtain a work-permit before entering into an employment contract.

Minimum Wage: No legally mandated national minimum wage
Average Wage: 2,117 euros by month (ILO data)
Social contributions: Social Security Contributions Paid By Employers: Pensions (12.55%), sickness insurance (3.83%), unemployment pay (3%), housing fund (0.5%), severance fund(1.53%).
Social Security Contributions Paid By Employees: Pensions (10.25%), sickness insurance (3.82%), unemployment pay (3%), housing fund (0.5%).

Social Dialogue and Involvement of Social Partners: The law allows the workers to form and join unions. Collective bargaining is protected in law and is freely practiced. Nearly 80% percent of the labor force worked under a collective bargaining agreement. There are nearly 9 national unions which are part of the Austrian Trade Union Federation (OGB)
Unions: Austrian Trade Union Federation (OGB)
Unionization Rate: 36% in the year 2007.
Labor Regulation Bodies: Federal Ministry of Labour & Economic Affairs

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Learn more about Operating a Business in Austria on Globaltrade.net, the Directory for International Trade Services.