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How to Open a Business Bank Account in Austria as a Non-Resident (2026)
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You've registered your Austrian GmbH. Or you're about to. Either way, the same question lands on every non-resident founder's desk at some point: how do I actually get a working business bank account in Austria?
It's not impossible. But it's not straightforward either — and the process trips up founders who assume it works like opening a personal account back home. This guide covers what actually happens, what banks want to see, and how to make it work.
Why Austrian Business Banking Is Different
Austria has strict anti-money-laundering (AML) regulations and compliance culture. Banks take KYC (Know Your Customer) seriously — sometimes to the point of frustration. For non-resident directors, this means extra scrutiny: where are you from, where does your revenue come from, who are your clients?

This isn't hostility. It's process. And once you understand what the bank is trying to establish, the whole thing becomes much more manageable.

The core thing a bank needs to confirm: your company has genuine substance and legitimate business activity.
Option 1: Traditional Austrian Bank Account
The gold standard. A real Austrian IBAN (AT…), full banking infrastructure, accepted everywhere — including payment processors, government portals, and enterprise clients who won't pay to an EMI.
Which Banks Work With Non-Resident GmbH Owners
The main options for business accounts in Austria:

  • Erste Bank / George — the most founder-friendly of the traditional banks; business accounts for GmbHs with a solid onboarding process
  • Raiffeisen Bank — well-established, regional branches across Austria; more relationship-driven
  • Bank Austria (UniCredit) — good for companies with international transaction flows
  • BAWAG — increasingly open to non-resident business clients
What You'll Need
Every bank will ask for a version of this list. Have it ready before you walk in or apply online:
Company documents:
  • Certificate of incorporation (Firmenbuchauszug) — no older than 3 months
  • Articles of association (Gesellschaftsvertrag)
  • Proof of registered address in Austria
  • Tax number (Steuernummer) — some banks require this before opening
Personal documents (for each director and beneficial owner):
  • Valid passport
  • Proof of address (utility bill or bank statement, translated if not in English/German)
  • CV or professional biography
  • Clean criminal record certificate (Strafregisterbescheinigung) — some banks ask for this from non-EU directors
Business documents:
  • Business plan or company description (1–2 pages is fine)
  • Description of expected transaction flows: where does money come from, where does it go
  • Sample contracts or client letters if available
  • Website URL
The In-Person Requirement.
Most traditional Austrian banks still require at least one in-person meeting for business account opening — especially for non-resident directors. You'll need to travel to Austria or send an authorised representative with a notarised power of attorney.

Some banks have introduced video KYC for certain cases, but don't count on it. Budget for one trip.
Timeline:
4–6 weeks from first application to active account is typical. Raiffeisen regional branches can sometimes move faster if you have a personal introduction.

Option 2: EMI (Electronic Money Institution)

If you need something working immediately, or your business is fully digital with international clients, an EMI is a pragmatic interim solution.

Options that work well with Austrian GmbHs:

Wise Business — multi-currency, low fees, widely accepted; excellent for international payments.

Revolut Business — fast onboarding, good UI, real IBANs in EUR.

Airwallex — strong for businesses with Asia-Pacific transaction flows.

Paysera — EU-regulated, works with most Austrian structures.
What EMIs Are Good For

  • Receiving international payments
  • Paying suppliers and contractors
  • Day-to-day operational spending
  • Bridging period while your traditional bank account opens
What EMIs Are Not Good For

  • Some payment processors (Stripe, PayPal) may require a "real" bank account for full functionality
  • Austrian tax authorities and courts sometimes require a traditional IBAN
  • Enterprise clients in DACH occasionally refuse to pay to non-bank IBANs
  • Long-term credibility with Austrian partners
The practical approach: 

open an EMI account immediately to get the company operational, and pursue a traditional bank account in parallel.
Option 3: German Bank Account for Your Austrian GmbH
If you also have a German entity — or are considering one — German banks are generally more accessible for non-residents and the process is better documented in English.
N26 Business, Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank all have experience with non-resident GmbH directors. A German account doesn't replace the need for an Austrian one if you have Austrian operations, but for a holding structure or a dual-market business, it's worth knowing this option exists.
The Five Things That Kill Applications
Most rejected applications fail for the same reasons. Avoid these:
No business plan.
Banks want to understand what your company does. "Consulting" is not enough. Two paragraphs explaining your clients, your services, and your expected revenue goes a long way.
High-risk jurisdictions in your background.
If you're from or have business connections to countries on Austria's heightened due diligence list, expect more questions. This isn't a disqualifier but you need to be prepared to explain and document everything clearly.
Cash-heavy or opaque transaction models.
B2B invoicing with clear paper trails is fine. Crypto, gambling, marketplace models, or anything that looks like it might involve untraceable cash flows will trigger additional scrutiny or outright rejection.
No Austrian substance.
A registered address with a real accountant is the minimum. If the bank can't find any connection between your company and Austria other than a mailbox, they'll question why you're banking there.
Incomplete or inconsistent documents.
The name on your passport must match the name on the company documents exactly. Dates, addresses, and signatures must be consistent. A single discrepancy sends the application back to the start.

Practical Timeline: From Company to Working Account

You can be receiving and sending money within 2–3 weeks of incorporation via EMI. A traditional Austrian bank account typically follows 4–8 weeks later.
Week No. 1-2
Company registered, Firmenbuchauszug issued
Week No. 2-3
Tax number applied for
Week No. 3-4
EMI account open and operational
Week No. 3-6
Traditional bank application submitted
Week No. 6-10
Traditional bank account active
a few days more
To setup and connect online banking for your devices

The Shortcut: Use a Local Partner

The fastest path to a working Austrian business bank account is working with a local formation and compliance partner who has existing relationships with bank account managers.

This is not about pulling strings. It's about submitting a correctly prepared application the first time, with all documents in order, in the right format, to the right person at the right bank for your business profile.

A rejected application delays you by 4–6 weeks and sometimes permanently damages your chances with that bank.

And the Bottom Line

What you need:

  • Registered company with valid Firmenbuchauszug
  • Clean personal documents for all directors
  • A short, clear business description
  • Patience for 4–6 weeks
Or a partner who's done it before.
Opening a business bank account in Austria as a non-resident is entirely achievable. The process is more thorough than in Estonia or the UK, but it's also more stable — once you have an Austrian business account, it works. Properly.

The key is preparation: clean documents, a clear business description, and realistic expectations about timeline. Most founders who struggle do so because they underestimated the KYC requirements or submitted an incomplete application.
We Handle This as Part of Our Formation Package
We help international founders incorporate in Austria and open their first business bank account — from zero to first transaction. Book a free 20-minute call to find out whether our Full package is right for your situation.
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