To start a coffee business in Austria, decide early whether you’re opening a café, mobile cart, or micro-roastery—each has distinct permits, costs, and margins. Choose a legal form (Einzelunternehmen for speed/low cost; GmbH for liability, €10k share capital, €5k paid-in) and register your trade (Gewerbeberechtigung) for Gastgewerbe or Lebensmittelgewerbe with the Magistrat/Bezirkshauptmannschaft; WKO membership follows automatically. Gastgewerbe requires a Befähigungsnachweis or an appointed managing director (gewerberechtlicher Geschäftsführer). Secure Betriebsanlagengenehmigung and, for sidewalk seating, Schanigarten permit (city-specific). Food safety: register under LMSVG, implement a documented HACCP plan, allergen declaration (EU 1169/2011), staff hygiene training; roasting needs emissions/fire approvals and correct coffee labeling (name, weight, origin/batch, MHD, producer address). Tax and payroll: get a tax number and VAT via FinanzOnline (coffee drinks usually 20% VAT), fiscalize your POS under RKSV with a signature device/receipt QR; register employees with ÖGK and apply the Gastronomie Kollektivvertrag. Insurance: SVS for self-employed, AUVA for employees; consider liability and business interruption. Sourcing and pricing: negotiate with Austrian roasters/importers, target 75–85% gross margin on beverages, cost recipes, and set prices to cover wages, rent, and charges. Location and operations: favor high footfall near transit, comply with opening-hour ordinances, AKM music licensing, waste separation and packaging compliance (e.g., ARA).
