Guide · Austria
Website legal requirements in Austria
A commercial website in Austria must show an Impressum with provider details. Companies operating websites must also publish a disclosure. Privacy rules include the EU General Data Protection Regulation and consent requirements for cookies and similar tracking technologies. Online shops need to account for consumer withdrawal rights, and accessibility rules apply to some e-commerce services. Tax, payment methods, language and domain choices also affect how you plan a site or shop.
Checked against official sources on 5 November 2026. General information, not legal advice: confirm the rules that apply to your business with an adviser.
What privacy and cookie rules apply to my site?
The EU General Data Protection Regulation (DSGVO) applies directly in Austria and is supplemented by the national Datenschutzgesetz (DSG).
Under § 165 Abs. 3 TKG 2021, cookies and similar tracking technologies may only be set or read on a user's device with prior consent, unless they are strictly necessary. Plan your consent controls before adding tracking to your site or app.
What consumer rules apply to my online shop?
Under § 11 of the Fern- und Auswärtsgeschäfte-Gesetz (FAGG), consumers in Austria can withdraw from distance contracts, including online shop purchases, within 14 calendar days. Account for that right when planning your shop's customer information and order process.
Does my shop need to meet accessibility rules?
The Barrierefreiheitsgesetz (BaFG), Austria's implementation of the European Accessibility Act (Directive (EU) 2019/882), applies to businesses that place products or services on the market after 28 June 2025. It includes e-commerce services for consumers, such as online shops and booking portals. Check whether it applies when planning your service.
What tax should I consider when selling online?
Austria's standard Umsatzsteuer (USt) rate is 20%, with reduced rates of 4.9%, 10% and 13% for specified goods and services. Consider the applicable rate when planning how your shop handles tax.
Which Austrian payment method can I consider?
eps-Überweisung is the online payment method of the Austrian banks. Customers pay within their own online banking, and it is the official payment method for e-Government in Austria. You can consider it when planning your checkout.
Which language should I plan for?
German is the official language of Austria. Croatian, Slovenian and Hungarian are also official languages in some regions, based on Article 8 of the Federal Constitutional Act (B-VG) and the Volksgruppengesetz. Consider the languages your site's users will need when planning its texts.
Where can I find the Austrian domain registry?
nic.at GmbH is the official registry for domains ending in .at, including .co.at and .or.at. Consider these options when choosing your site's domain.
What business details must my website show?
Under § 5 of the E-Commerce-Gesetz (ECG), commercial websites in Austria must show an Impressum. It must include the provider's name or company name, geographic address and contact details including an email address, plus the company register number and court and the VAT identification number where applicable.
Under § 25 of the Mediengesetz (MedienG), every company that operates a website is a media owner and must publish a disclosure (Offenlegung). For a purely corporate website, the disclosure includes its name or company name, residence or registered seat, and business purpose. Plan space for these details on your site.
What should I check before launching a website in Austria?
The Datenschutzbehörde (DSB) is the supervisory authority responsible for enforcing data protection in Austria, except in matters assigned since 1 January 2025 to the Parliamentary Data Protection Committee under §§ 35a ff DSG. Use the steps below when planning your site.
- Plan consent controls for cookies and similar tracking technologies.
- Account for consumer withdrawal rights in your shop's information and order process.
- Check whether the BaFG applies to your online shop or booking portal.
- Consider the applicable tax rate in your shop's tax handling.
- Consider eps-Überweisung when planning checkout.
- Choose the languages needed for your site's texts.
- Consider an .at, .co.at or .or.at domain.
- Prepare your Impressum and company disclosure.
Questions
Is my business exempt from the accessibility rules?
Your service is exempt from the BaFG if you have fewer than 10 employees and an annual turnover or balance sheet total of no more than 2 million euros. The Sozialministeriumservice is the market surveillance authority.
Can my business qualify for the small-business VAT exemption?
Since 1 January 2025, Austria's small-business VAT exemption (Kleinunternehmerregelung) applies to businesses whose turnover did not exceed 55,000 euros in either the previous or the current calendar year.
Do I need to send e-invoices to Austrian federal government offices?
Yes. E-invoices have been mandatory for invoices to Austrian federal government offices since 1 January 2014. They can be submitted via the Unternehmensserviceportal (USP) or PEPPOL.
Can an Austria-based business use Stripe?
Yes. Stripe supports businesses based in Austria.