Free or regulated trade — what do you actually need?

Austria distinguishes between free and regulated trades.[1] Classic craft trades such as carpenter, painter and decorator, tiler, electrician, gas and plumbing technician, or master builder are regulated: you need proof of qualification, usually through a completed apprenticeship plus practice, or a master craftsman exam. Many individual trade-related activities, however, are listed as free trades — with no exam at all.[5] These include, for example:

You can find the complete, nationwide list directly from the Ministry of Economic Affairs.[5] If your activity matches a free trade, registration is just as simple as for house care work: free, no exam, legal from the day you register.

What if your activity is a regulated craft trade?

Then you need proof of qualification — but it does not always have to be an Austrian diploma. There are three paths, depending on where your qualification comes from:

  1. EU recognition (§ 373c GewO)

    If you have formally practised or trained in your trade in an EU or EEA state, or Switzerland, the state governor checks your qualification against the Austrian training.

  2. Equivalence of foreign qualifications (§ 373d GewO)

    For training from other countries that matches Austrian training in content — also outside the EU.

  3. Individual proof of qualification (§ 19 GewO)

    If neither path applies, for example because you have no formal diploma but pure practical experience: you apply to the district authority, the Magistrate, or in Vienna the MA 63, for a determination of your individual qualification.[4]

For the individual proof of qualification, any kind of evidence counts: certificates, course confirmations, references from previous employers, a GISA extract from earlier self-employment, or simply convincing references. The authority can request an assessment from the Chamber of Commerce and invite you to an expert interview.[3] The clearer your documents, the smoother the process runs — and registration itself costs nothing here either.

Business registration
€0
whether free or regulated trade
SVS at the start
approx. €161/month
minimum contribution base, including accident insurance
VAT
none
up to €55,000 turnover (small business rule)
Process for practice without a diploma
§ 19 GewO
individual proof of qualification

What happens after you register?

With your business registration, you are automatically registered with the SVS, the tax office, and the Chamber of Commerce.[2] What the SVS costs and what it covers: SVS: insurance for the self-employed. And because many trade services are also provided by people without an Austrian passport: Who is allowed to be self-employed in Austria? explains what applies to your residence status.

Do not guess — ask

Whether your specific activity counts as a free trade or needs proof of qualification is something your Chamber of Commerce's start-up service clarifies for free, usually within a few days. That saves you unnecessary detours.

And who handles the paperwork?

bop does. The app guides you through business registration and SVS, automatically writes the invoice after every job, shows you how much to set aside for taxes — and explains every letter from an authority in your language.