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Start Without Qualification: The Qualified Manager
GewO §39
Verified: April 2026
The shortcut for entrepreneurs
Don't have the qualification for a regulated trade? You can hire someone
who does. The gewerberechtlicher Geschaeftsfuehrer (qualified trade manager)
brings the qualification — you bring the business idea.
How It Works
- Find someone with the required qualification (Befaehigungsnachweis)
- Employ them at least half-time (20+ hours/week)
- Register them as qualified manager with the trade authority
- Register your trade — the manager's qualification counts for you
Requirements for the Qualified Manager
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Qualification | Must hold the exact Befaehigungsnachweis for the trade |
| Employment | Minimum half-time (20h/week), genuine employment |
| Social insurance | Must be registered with OeGK (social insurance) |
| Presence | Must actually work in the business, not just on paper |
| Liability | Personally liable for professional quality |
| Exclusivity | Can only be manager for max 1 trade per person |
Costs
What You Pay
- Trade registration: €0 (free)
- Manager salary: Collective agreement minimum + social insurance (~€1,500-2,500/month gross for half-time)
- Total ongoing cost: The manager's salary is your main cost — budget €20,000-35,000/year
Critical: No Fictitious Arrangements
The manager must genuinely work in the business. A "name-lending"
arrangement where someone is registered but never shows up is
illegal and can result in:
- Loss of trade license
- Administrative fines up to €3,600
- Personal liability for the business owner
When To Use This Path
- You want to start immediately but don't have the qualification yet
- You're working toward your own qualification (exam preparation) and need someone temporary
- You're a business person, not a technician — you manage, someone else does the skilled work
- You're a foreign entrepreneur whose qualifications aren't recognized in Austria
When you may not need this at all
Hiring a qualified manager is the most expensive of the four routes. Before you commit to it, check whether one of these applies to you:
| Alternative | Fits if | What it costs |
|---|---|---|
| Individual assessment Individuelle Befähigung, § 19 GewO | You already have relevant professional experience — the district authority assesses it instead of requiring an exam. | No exam, no salary. Only your documentation effort. |
| Sit the qualification exam Befähigungsprüfung | You can invest the preparation time and want the qualification in your own name. | Exam fees €0 — the government has covered them since 2023. |
The difference is who holds the qualification. With either alternative it is yours, and nothing depends on a second person. Under § 39 it is not: you must report the appointment and the departure of your manager to the district authority (§ 39 para. 4), and you are only relieved of responsibility for as long as a compliant manager is appointed and reported (§ 39 para. 5).
Sources
- GewO 1994, consolidated version (RIS) — § 39 (qualified manager), § 19 (individual assessment)
- WKO Gründerservice — practical guidance on appointing a manager
Related Guides
General guidance only, not legal advice. Last verified: April 2026.
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