Did you know? Facts about the business location Austria

Here are the top 5 reasons for locating in Austria

1. High qualification und motivation of workforce
2. Only 25% corporate tax, no trade tax, no property tax  
3. Efficient R&D incentives
4. EU member state and best connections to Central and Eastern Europe 
5. Lowest strike rate, high stability

Hourly productivity in Austria’s industrial sector has risen by more than 50 per cent between 1996 and 2006 - securing  Austria a top position in the European comparison. These extensive productivity gains more than compensate for the higher labor costs in  Austria. For example, in the period 1996 – 2006, unit labor costs in Austria decreased by more than 16 percent. On an overall basis, productivity has risen faster than labor costs. Due to this decline in unit labor costs, Austria is now rated among the top 5 in international rankings, ahead of economic powers such as France, Germany, USA and Great Britain.

As a business location Austria offers may advantages like 

attractive conditions for companies

• complete overhaul of public system
• 80% of facility approval procedures within 3 months
• above the average purchasing power of Austrian consumers

central location

• member of the European Union since 1.1.1995
• close ties to the growth markets in Central and Eastern Europe
• some 1,000 international companies have their CEE headquarters in Europe

productivity

• highest productivity growth in Europe for decades

education

• practical training in technical and business education 
• highest level of graduates from secondary education worldwide

tax benefits

• moderate corporate tax rate
• efficient system of R&D incentives

security

• political and social stability 
• availability of highly qualified workforce despite low level of unemployed
• stable currency
• lowest strike rate in European Union

know how

• traditional Eastern Europe know how of Austrian service providers: banks, management consultants and tax advisors benefit from wide-ranging contacts and competencies in East-West business, knowing exactly "who, how and with whom."

highly developed infrastructure

• A high-quality transportation and telecommunications infrastructure also support the rapid transfer of goods and information 

motivation

• Austrian workers are not only among the best educated - they're also highly motivated.

stability

• almost no strikes and high personal security - Austria offers a stable home base for business in unknown markets

affordable office space

• in a comparison of European capitals Vienna is among the cheapest regarding office rents.

neutral status

• with an "image competition" raging between the Eastern nations, headquarters on "neutral ground" in Austria is a distinct advantage

quality of life 

• peak performance can only be produced when your employees feel comfortable in their surroundings

Several reforms have entered into force during the last years, making Austria even more attractive as a business location.

Moreover, Austria became European e-government champion for the second time in a row in 2007 -  a clear-cut demonstration of the business-friendly and customer-oriented approach taken by Austria’s public authorities. E-Government results in decisive competitive advantages for the business community.