How to found an AG (Aktiengesellschaft) in Austria
Public stock corporation — for large companies and capital-market activities.
This full guide to How to found an AG (Aktiengesellschaft) in Austria is part of our premium area. You get step-by-step instructions, checklists, fee breakdowns, authority paths and practical tips for foreign founders.
Quick overview:
| Minimum capital | 70.000 € |
| Minimum founders | 1 |
| Liability | limited to share capital |
| Accounting | Double-entry bookkeeping |
| Taxation | Corporate tax 23% |
| Commercial register | mandatory |
| Notary required | yes (deed of formation) |
| Time to set up | 4–8 w |
The Aktiengesellschaft (AG) is designed for larger companies, capital-market activities or complex group structures. It requires at least 70,000 € share capital and a mandatory supervisory board (Aufsichtsrat).
| Minimum capital | 70.000 € |
| Minimum founders | 1 |
| Liability | limited to share capital |
| Accounting | Double-entry bookkeeping |
| Taxation | Corporate tax 23% |
| Commercial register | mandatory |
| Notary required | yes (deed of formation) |
| Time to set up | 4–8 w |
When does this form make sense?
The AG is suitable when you want to raise capital via shares, list on a stock exchange, hold significant group investments or run a company with a large shareholder base. It is rarely the right choice for small or medium-sized businesses — a GmbH or FlexKapG usually fits better.
Required documents
- Passports/IDs of founders, board members and supervisory board members
- Registration certificates
- Articles of association (Satzung) in notarial form
- Resolutions appointing management and supervisory boards
- Bank confirmation of paid-in capital
- Beneficial owner form (WiEReG)
- Auditor appointment
Founding steps
- Notarial articles of association — capital, share classes, voting rights.
- Appoint management board (Vorstand) and at least three supervisory board members.
- Pay in share capital — at least 25 % of the minimum 70,000 € on a capital account.
- Auditor appointment — AGs must be audited annually.
- Commercial register entry.
- Tax office registration and corporate tax ID.
- WiEReG filing.
- Ongoing governance: shareholder meetings, board minutes, audit.
Costs
- Minimum share capital: 70,000 €
- Notary: 2,000–4,000 €
- Firmenbuch fee: approx. 700 €
- Auditor: 5,000–15,000 € per year
- Legal fees: 3,000–10,000 €
Typical setup: 10,000–20,000 € plus ongoing governance cost.
Taxes & social insurance
- Corporate tax (KöSt): 23 % on profits.
- Minimum corporate tax: 5,000 € per year — the highest among Austrian corporate forms.
- Dividends: 27.5 % KESt for private shareholders.
- Full double-entry bookkeeping and mandatory audit.
- Publication of annual accounts in the Firmenbuch.
- Can raise capital by issuing shares
- Eligible for stock exchange listing
- Clear separation of management and ownership
- High credibility with large institutional partners
- High minimum capital (70,000 €)
- Mandatory supervisory board and external auditor
- Highest setup and running cost
- Complex governance requirements
- Minimum corporate tax 5,000 € per year even in losses
Common mistakes
- Choosing the AG for a small operation — operating cost exceeds benefit.
- Not planning for the 5,000 € minimum corporate tax in the cash budget.
- Supervisory board members forgetting their legal obligations.
- Late WiEReG filings — fines up to 200,000 €.
Sources
This website is a private information portal and does not constitute legal advice.