Requirements and documents for a business account in Austria

Snapshot

To open a business account in Austria you generally need photo identity for owners and beneficial owners, proof of business address, and entity documents that depend on your structure, such as a Firmenbuch extract for a company or trade registration for a sole trader.

Core records: Firmenbuch extract for a registered company, trade registration or Gewerbeschein where relevant, and the UID or VAT number if held. As of 15 April 2026.
Identity needed: Photo identity for owners, directors, signatories, and beneficial owners.
Typical timeline: About one to five business days for a sole trader or freelancer, longer for a GmbH that needs formation and Firmenbuch registration.
Most providers: Similar core documents, with extra items by entity type

Fees and features as of 15 April 2026Last reviewed 15 April 2026

General information, not financial, legal, or tax advice. Verify current terms and eligibility with the provider before applying.

To open a business account in Austria you usually need photo identity for the owners and beneficial owners, proof of the business address, and documents that prove the business exists. A registered company provides a Firmenbuch extract and its UID number, while a sole trader or freelancer provides trade registration where it applies and identity. A GmbH that is still being formed first uses a blocked formation deposit account for its cash share capital. Exact requirements differ by provider and entity type. Confirm the current checklist with the provider before you apply.

What you need to open a business account in Austria

Austrian providers verify three things, your business, the people behind it, and your address. A registered company is identified by its entry in the Firmenbuch, the company register, and by its UID number where it is registered for VAT. Sole traders and freelancers are identified by their trade registration or, for the regulated trades, a Gewerbeschein, together with personal identity. Owners, directors, signatories, and beneficial owners give photo identity such as a passport, and the business shows proof of its address. Austrian rules also require the beneficial owners of companies to be recorded in the register of beneficial owners. As of 15 April 2026.

By entity type

A sole trader or freelancer usually needs photo identity, proof of address, and any trade registration or UID number that applies. A GmbH provides its Firmenbuch extract, its articles, and details of directors and beneficial owners, and a GmbH that is still being formed first opens a blocked formation deposit account for its cash share capital. As of 15 April 2026. Verify the list with the provider.

Timelines

For a sole trader or freelancer the process can sometimes finish within about one to five business days, especially with a digital provider. For a GmbH that needs a notarial deed, Firmenbuch registration, and beneficial owner checks, expect longer, and longer again for companies with foreign owners or complex ownership. As of 15 April 2026.

Document checklist to prepare

Gather these before you apply for a business account in Austria, as of 15 April 2026. Verify with the provider

Photo identity for each owner, director, signatory, and beneficial owner.
Proof of business address, and your UID or VAT number if the business has one.
Entity documents such as a Firmenbuch extract and articles for a company, or trade registration for a sole trader or freelancer.

How to get ready

Confirm your entity type and complete any trade or Firmenbuch registration that applies before you apply.
Collect identity and address documents for everyone the provider will need to verify, including beneficial owners.
Check the provider specific checklist, because requirements and accepted documents vary, then apply.

Compare business accounts available in Austria

These providers accept business customers in Austria. Fees and eligibility shown as of 15 April 2026. Confirm current terms with the provider before applying.

Compare business accounts →

Questions about requirements in Austria

What documents are needed to open a business account in Austria?

Typically photo identity for owners, directors, and beneficial owners, proof of business address, and entity documents such as a Firmenbuch extract for a registered company, a Gewerbeschein or trade registration where relevant, and the UID or VAT number if the business has one. As of 15 April 2026. Verify with the provider.

Does a GmbH need a special account to be formed in Austria?

Yes. An Austrian GmbH pays its cash share capital into a formation deposit account that stays blocked until the company is entered in the Firmenbuch, with a minimum share capital of EUR 10,000 of which at least EUR 5,000 must be paid in cash. After registration this typically becomes the operating account. As of 15 April 2026. Confirm current rules with your notary or bank.

How long does it take to open a business account in Austria?

A sole trader or freelancer can sometimes open within about one to five business days, while a GmbH that needs notarial formation, Firmenbuch registration, and beneficial owner checks can take longer. As of 15 April 2026. Verify timelines with the provider.

Can a sole trader open a business account in Austria?

Yes. A sole trader or freelancer usually needs photo identity, proof of address, and any trade registration or UID number that applies. A separate business account is not always legally required but makes record keeping easier. As of 15 April 2026. Verify with the provider.

Fees, features, and eligibility change and vary by region. This page was last reviewed on 15 April 2026. Confirm current terms with the provider before applying.

Requirements and documents in Austria