What's New in Austrian Trade Law (2026)
GISA-Express (2026)
May 2026: Six Weeks Instead of Four for Temporary Facility Changes
Federal Law Gazette I No. 33/2026 (in force since 20 May 2026) amended § 81 para 2 no 11 of the Trade Act (GewO): temporary changes to an approved business facility for events are now permit-free for up to six weeks (previously four), as long as they pose no risk to life or health. Mainly relevant for gastronomy and event businesses. Nothing changes about trade registration itself.
July 2026: New Insurance Mediation Regulation
The Versicherungsvermittlungs-Verordnung 2026 (Federal Law Gazette II No. 217/2026, published 22 July 2026) re-regulates the qualification requirements for insurance mediation (§ 94 no 76 GewO) and the insurance part of commercial financial advisory (§ 94 no 75). Important for existing businesses: exam certificates issued under the 2003 regulations remain explicitly valid under § 9 of the new regulation.
Exam Fees Covered by Government (Since July 2023)
The federal government covers all fees for Master exams (Meisterpruefung) and Qualification exams (Befaehigungspruefung). This includes first and second attempts. Only optional preparation courses still cost money (€500-2,500 at WIFI).
Timeline of Recent Changes
| When | What Changed | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| July 2026 | New insurance mediation regulation (BGBl II 217/2026) | Updated qualification rules, old certificates stay valid |
| May 2026 | Facility changes for events: six weeks permit-free (BGBl I 33/2026) | More room for gastronomy and event businesses |
| Feb 2026 | GISA-Express launched | Instant registration for free trades |
| July 2023 | Exam fees covered by government | Master/qualification exams now free |
| 2020 | Combined baker-confectioner apprenticeship | 4-year dual qualification option |
| 2019 | Mandatory security employee training | All security guards need basic training |
| 2017 | Entrepreneur exam integrated | No longer a separate exam |
What This Means for You
- Starting is cheaper than ever: Registration €0, exams €0
- Digital-first: GISA-Express makes registration faster
- Qualification paths expanded: Individual assessment (§19) is more flexible
- More support: WKO startup service enhanced