GISA procedures
The Austrian Business Licence Information System (GISA) allows you to handle procedures directly and electronically on your own computer:
GISA comprises the key business-related data of all companies established in Austria. GISA offers users a quick and simply way to obtain information on, i.a., the name, location and wording of the licence held by a business. Queries from GISA are free of charge and users do not need to register. Both the search and the results are available in German and English.
Use this form to apply for a free-of-charge certified GISA excerpt for your own business.
Use this form to apply for information from GISA (e.g. information on the non-existence of a trade licence). Your query must refer to a specified individual or operation. Find here more details on GISA information (english).
Use this form to register a trade. If all prerequisites for exercising a trade have been met (see "Registering a trade") you will be entered in GISA. For your online application you need data of your company, the name of the trade, the location and the specified enclosures. Find here more details on registering a trade (german).
Use this form to discontinue a trade. Once it is discontinued your right to exercise this trade at its main location and all other operating facilities (branches) will terminate. Unless there are circumstances which do not permit discontinuation, the trade is registered in GISA as being terminated. Find here more details on discontinuing a trade (german).
If the location of the operation or of any other operating facility (branch) is changed this must be notified to the responsible authority. The notification must be received by the authority not later than on the day on which the business begins to be exercised. Find here more details on changing location (german).
If another operating facility (branch) is set up this must be notified to the responsible authority. The notification must be received by the authority not later than on the day on which the business begins to be exercised at the other operating facility. Find here more details on registering another operating facility (german).
If no self-employed activity is carried out any longer in another operating facility (branch), this must be notified to the authority. The notification of the cessation of another operating facility provides the basis for cancelling its registration in GISA. Find here more details on discontinuation of another operating facility (german).
The manager under the Trace Act is appointed by the owner of the business who authorises the manager to issue instructions on his/her own responsibility. The manager is responsible for compliance with the Trade Act regulations and for the proper technical exercise of the business. Use this form to notify the appointment of a new manager under the Trade Act.
Sole proprietors (natural persons) do not need a manager under the Trade Act except when the owner is unable to furnish proof of his/her qualification if such is required. Companies and associations must appoint a manager for exercising the business. Find here more details on the appointment of a manager under the Trade Act (german).
The owner of the business must notify the resignation of a manager under the Trade Act to the responsible authority. Such a notification causes the manager to be deleted from GISA. Find here more details on the deregistration of a manager under the Trade Act (german).
If you want to exercise a regulated trade you need to furnish proof of your qualification to exercise such business. If you are unable to provide a formal proof of qualification, the authority may establish your individual qualification. To this end, you need to furnish other proof of the knowledge, skills and experience required for exercising the business. If the documents (such as training certificates, letters of recommendation) or other evidence submitted show the requisite knowledge, skills and experience in other ways the authority will issue a notice of assessment. Find here more details on establishing individual qualification (german).
If you want to exercise a regulated trade, you must prove your ability to practice this trade. With this form you can apply for recognition of an activity actually carried out in the EU/EEA foreign country (practice time, possibly supplemented by training). For some regulated trades, the recognition procedure is not possible. It may also be that you do not meet the requirements for recognition. In these cases, you can also use this form to apply for an equivalence assessment of a professional qualification (training and/or practical time) obtained in other EU/EEA countries to pursue a trade in Austria. Find here more details on recognitions of an activity actually carried out in the EU/EEA foreign country. Find here more details on equivalence assessments of a professional qualification.
GISA procedures for tour operators
Use this form to notify that you organise package tours and provide associated travel services. If you meet all the requirements of organising package tours and providing associated travel services you will be entered in GISA and notified of such entry. Initial notifications and repeat notifications must be made electronically by GISA, failing which they are not effective.
For further information see “Tour-operators”.
Use this form to submit repeat notifications.
Depending on the last notification given (12- or 24-month options), registered tour operators and providers of associated travel services must submit a repeat notification not later than 31 January of the next calendar year (12-month option) or 31 January of the next but one calendar year (24-month option).
Use this form to change over from limited coverage to unlimited coverage or vice versa. This can be done at any time during a business year. If you want to change over from unlimited coverage to limited coverage, GISA requires the same information which you need to provide with an initial notification of limited coverage, including in particular sales from tour operator activities and the confirmation by your tax consultant.
Use this form to report modifications from your business operations.
Use this form to cancel the travel service licence. Please note that this notification does not mean that your trade is discontinued.
Contact
Division for Trade Law: gewerbe@bmaw.gv.at