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Guides · Austria

Business licence renewal in Austria

Written from published rules on 27 August 2026. Not monitored for changes since. A starting point, not official advice — confirm anything that matters with Gewerbebehörde (Trade Authority).

Renewing a business licence (Gewerbeberechtigung) in Austria is generally not required, as licences are usually issued for an indefinite period. However, changes to business activities, legal structures, or the appointment of a new trade manager (Gewerberechtlicher Geschäftsführer) must be reported to the authorities to ensure the licence remains valid.

Your timing

While no standard expiry exists, it is recommended to submit notifications of change as soon as the business circumstances alter. If obtaining a specific excerpt from the trade register for contract purposes, allow 1–2 weeks for processing and mail delivery.

Start 14 days ahead

Timeframe required for the authority to process updates to the trade register and issue an updated certificate (GISA-Auszug).

The process

  1. 1Identify the change that requires notification, such as a change in business location, legal form, or trade manager.
  2. 2Prepare the necessary supporting documents, such as proof of professional qualification for a new manager or commercial register extracts.
  3. 3Submit the notification of change electronically via the Unternehmensserviceportal (USP) or by contacting the relevant district authority (Bezirkshauptmannschaft or Magistrat).
  4. 4Await the official update in the GISA (Gewerbeinformationssystem Austria) database.
  5. 5Request an updated excerpt of the trade register (GISA-Auszug) if required for official business or banking purposes.

What to bring

  • Extract from the commercial register (Firmenbuchauszug)
  • Proof of qualification (e.g., certificates, diplomas) if a new trade manager is appointed
  • Signed consent form from the new trade manager
  • Official identification documents for new management personnel

Who handles it

Gewerbebehörde (Trade Authority)

https://www.usp.gv.at/

Administrative fees vary depending on the nature of the change and the specific authority involved. Confirmation of current fee schedules should be obtained directly from the relevant district office.

What commonly goes wrong

  • Failure to report a change in the trade manager can lead to the suspension of the business licence.
  • Ensure that any changes to the legal form of the company are reflected in the commercial register before updating the trade licence.
  • Electronic submissions require an ID-Austria account for authentication.

Sources

Other documents in Austria

Business licence renewal in other countries

Often renewed together

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