Nikolai Timofejev
15 years in FinTech and payments. Maps your business model to the right licence scope and leads the file all the way to the FMA decision, including banking and payment rails.
Get a crypto license in Austria.
Austria licenses crypto under MiCA, supervised by the FMA. It is the German-speaking base with a clear view into Central and Eastern Europe - a predictable regulator, a 23% corporate rate and an EU passport from the middle of the map. We build that file end to end.
27 yrs
on the international marketon the market
60+
in-house specialistsspecialists
400+
Crypto licenses obtainedlicenses obtained
Updated
Austria in brief
The German-speaking base with a CEE view.
Austria licenses crypto-asset service providers under MiCA, with the Finanzmarktaufsicht - the FMA - as the single competent authority. Before MiCA, the FMA already ran a registration regime for virtual-asset providers under the FM-GwG, so it came to CASP supervision with a working crypto desk rather than a blank page. The old registration route has given way to full authorisation; MiCA is the way in, and firms that held FMA registrations have moved across or left.
The appeal of Austria is its position. It is a German-speaking country, so a Vienna base speaks the same language as the German and Swiss markets while sitting one border away from Central and Eastern Europe - the natural launch corridor for firms eyeing that region, where Austrian banks have operated for a generation. The FMA has a reputation for being firm but predictable, corporate tax was cut to 23%, and the passport reaches all 27 EU states from a stable, high-quality-of-life jurisdiction in the centre of the continent. We build files for it end to end.
Austria licenses crypto under MiCA, supervised by the FMA - a regulator with a crypto desk that predates MiCA under the FM-GwG. Registration has given way to full authorisation.
The draw is position: German-speaking, inside the EU, one border from the CEE corridor its banks have run for a generation. Corporate tax is 23%; the passport covers 27 states.
Licence classes
One authorisation, scoped to your services.
MiCA defines ten crypto-asset services across three capital classes. The FMA authorises the exact scope you apply for, and the scope drives capital, systems and the depth of the file. We fix the perimeter first, then build once.
Ten MiCA services in three capital classes - the FMA authorises the exact scope you apply for.
01 - CASP · CLASS 1-2
Core crypto services
For brokers, exchangers and custodians - execution, exchange and safekeeping of client crypto-assets under one FMA authorisation. Minimum capital €50,000-€125,000 depending on scope.
For brokers, exchangers and custodians - execution, exchange and safekeeping of client crypto-assets under one FMA authorisation. Minimum capital €50,000-€125,000 depending on scope.
- ✓Exchange of crypto ↔ fiat and crypto ↔ crypto
- ✓Execution, reception and transmission of orders
- ✓Custody and administration of client crypto-assets
- ✓Transfer services for crypto-assets
- ✓Advice and portfolio management on crypto-assets
- ✓Placing of crypto-assets
02 - CASP · CLASS 3
DACH + CEE reachTrading platform
The highest MiCA tier - operation of a crypto trading venue with €150,000 minimum capital, listing rules and market-abuse controls, passportable across the EU from the centre of the continent.
The highest MiCA tier - a trading venue with €150,000 capital, passportable from the centre of Europe.
- ✓Operation of a crypto-asset trading platform
- ✓Matching of buyers and sellers in the venue
- ✓Admission-to-trading (listing) framework
- ✓Market-abuse monitoring under MiCA Title VI
- ✓Combines with custody and exchange services
- ✓One home regulator - the FMA - for all 27 states
Costs and timelines are confirmed for your case before any work begins. The FMA charges statutory fees by scope; the real investment is the file - capital, substance and documentation are scoped individually in your quote.
Why Austria
A predictable regulator in the centre of Europe.
The framework rests on MiCA and Austria's national execution act, supervised by the FMA - inside a stable, German-speaking economy with a long reach east.
✓
German-speaking, DACH-native
A Vienna base speaks the language of the German and Swiss markets from inside the EU - the same commercial culture, without the German licensing queue and without Switzerland's missing passport.Germany's culture without its licensing queue.
✓
The gateway to CEE
Austria has been the bridge into Central and Eastern Europe for decades, and its banks run across the region. For a crypto firm targeting that corridor, the relationships and know-how already sit here.The bridge east; the relationships sit here.
✓
The FMA is predictable
Firm but consistent, with a crypto desk that predates MiCA under the FM-GwG. You get a supervisor that has seen the sector before, which shortens the surprises in a review.Firm but consistent; a pre-MiCA crypto desk.
✓
23% corporate tax
Austria cut its corporate rate to 23%, below Germany's effective burden and competitive for Western Europe - a real number in the operating model, not a headline that unwinds.Below Germany's burden, competitive for the West.
✓
One passport, from the middle
A single FMA authorisation passports into all 27 EU states after notification. Starting from the centre of the map is convenient in more than the geographic sense.All 27 EU states by notification.
✓
Quality of life that retains talent
Vienna ranks among the world's most liveable cities year after year. For a business that has to recruit and keep compliance and engineering staff, that is an operating advantage.Vienna, consistently among the most liveable.
How it compares
How Austria differs from other routes.
Austria is the German-speaking EU base with a CEE view - Germany's culture without its queue, Switzerland's neighbourhood with an EU passport. The honest comparison is below.
Austria vs other jurisdictions
| Feature |  Austria | Other jurisdictions |
|---|---|---|
| Regulatory regime | MiCA CASP under the FMA | National regimes or lighter desks |
| Language & market | German-speaking, CEE reach | Varies |
| Corporate tax | 23% | Often higher in the West |
| Regulator style | Firm but predictable | Ranges widely |
Regulatory regime
AustriaMiCA CASP under the FMA
Other jurisdictionsNational regimes or lighter desks
Language & market
AustriaGerman-speaking, CEE reach
Other jurisdictionsVaries
Corporate tax
Austria23%
Other jurisdictionsOften higher in the West
Regulator style
AustriaFirm but predictable
Other jurisdictionsRanges widely
Country by country
| Country | License type | Taxation | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austria | MiCA CASP (FMA) | 23% corporate · 27.5% private | Firm, predictable review |
 Germany | MiCA CASP (BaFin) | ~30% effective | Thorough, document-heavy |
 Switzerland | FINMA licences · SRO route | ~12-14% cantonal | Fast entry, no EU passport |
 Lithuania | MiCA CASP (Bank of Lithuania) | 17% CIT (2026) | Fast, but strict AML practice |
AustriaLicense typeMiCA CASP (FMA)
Taxation23% corporate · 27.5% private
RequirementsFirm, predictable review
GermanyLicense typeMiCA CASP (BaFin)
Taxation~30% effective
RequirementsThorough, document-heavy
SwitzerlandLicense typeFINMA licences · SRO route
Taxation~12-14% cantonal
RequirementsFast entry, no EU passport
LithuaniaLicense typeMiCA CASP (Bank of Lithuania)
Taxation17% CIT (2026)
RequirementsFast, but strict AML practice
Before you apply
Requirements for the FMA authorisation.Requirements for FMA authorisation.
The FMA reviews a CASP file the way it reviews any regulated institution: completely. The checklist below is what a file that passes actually contains - built to MiCA, the national execution act and the ESMA technical standards.
01
Austrian entity - a GmbH or AG with its registered office and effective management in Austria.
02
Substance - decision-making, compliance and at least part of operations genuinely in the country; letterbox setups fail.
03
Fit & proper management - at least two competent managing directors (Geschäftsführer) with clean records and relevant experience.
04
Own funds - €50,000, €125,000 or €150,000 by service class, or a quarter of fixed overheads if higher.
05
Programme of operations - services, target markets, volumes and a three-year business plan the FMA can interrogate.
06
AML/CFT framework - FM-GwG-grade KYC, EDD, monitoring and reporting to the A-FIU, with a named AML officer.
07
ICT and DORA compliance - resilience testing, incident reporting, a register of ICT providers and exit plans.
08
Safeguarding of client assets - segregation of client crypto and funds, custody policy and key-management design.
09
Governance - ownership disclosed up to UBOs, qualifying holdings declared, conflicts and complaints procedures.
10
Wind-down plan - credible, funded and documented.
11
White papers and disclosures where you issue or admit crypto-assets to trading.
01
Austrian GmbH/AG with effective management here.
02
Real substance - compliance and decisions on the ground.
03
Two fit & proper managing directors.
04
Own funds €50k-€150k by class.
05
Programme of operations + 3-year plan.
06
FM-GwG-grade AML with named officer.
07
ICT resilience under DORA.
08
Segregation and custody of client assets.
09
Ownership disclosed up to UBOs.
10
Credible, funded wind-down plan.
Reflects MiCA, Austria's national execution act and FMA administrative practice as of 2026. The former FM-GwG registration regime has given way to CASP authorisation - operating without it is unlawful.MiCA + national act, FMA practice as of 2026. FM-GwG registration closed.
How it works
From first call to the FMA register.
01
Perimeter and strategy
We map your services to the MiCA classes and fix scope, capital and timeline in writing - including the CEE markets you want to reach.MiCA classes, capital, CEE targets - in writing.
02
Austrian company and substance
GmbH formation, registered office, managing directors and the governance layer - the presence the FMA assesses behind the file.GmbH, office, directors - the presence behind the file.
03
The application file
Programme of operations, AML/CFT framework, ICT and DORA documentation, safeguarding and wind-down - assembled to FMA standards.Programme, AML, DORA, wind-down - FMA-grade.
04
FMA review
The MiCA clock is 25 working days to completeness plus 40 for assessment - 6-10 months in practice. We answer every question round.25+40 wd statutory; 6-10 months in practice.
05
Authorisation and passport
Entry in the FMA register, ESMA notification and passporting into all 27 EU states - plus ongoing reporting we can keep running.Register entry, then all 27 EU states.
Quick facts
RegulatorFMA
FrameworkMiCA + national act
Capital€50k / €125k / €150k
Statutory clock25 + 40 working days
In practice6-10 months
Prior regimeFM-GwG registration - closed
SubstanceAustrian office + 2 directors
PassportAll 27 EU states
The statutory clock starts when the FMA deems the file complete - completeness quality is where timelines are actually won.
On the ground in Austria
Run from our Dubai office, with Austrian counsel.
Prifinance - Austria desk
Vienna · Austria
Vienna, Austria
01
Austrian company formation
GmbH incorporation, registered office and the corporate layer the FMA expects - notarised, registered and structured for the application.GmbH, notarised and structured for the file.
02
The authorisation file
Programme of operations, AML pack, ICT/DORA documentation and capital planning - drafted by us and defended through the FMA's question rounds.Programme, AML, DORA - defended through review.
03
Directors and substance
Geschäftsführer search, compliance staffing and office arrangements - the substance Austrian law demands, assembled pragmatically.Geschäftsführer search, staffing, office.
04
CEE expansion planning
Passporting and market entry into the Central and Eastern European corridor - sequenced to where you actually want to trade.Passporting into the corridor east.
We also have offices in
Tallinn
Estonia
Roseni 13
Vilnius
Lithuania
Gedimino pr. 2
Prague
Czech Republic
Vlkova 532/8, Žižkov
London
United Kingdom
7 Bell Yard
Dubai
UAE
33 Level, Al Saqr Business Tower
Madeira
Portugal
Rua da Alegria 31, 1F
Istanbul
Turkey
Perpa Ticaret Merkezi, A Blok
Good to know
Taxation of crypto companies in Austria.
No crypto-specific corporate levy - profits carry Austria's 23% corporate rate, while private investors sit under a clear flat regime that treats crypto like other capital assets. Both are settled law, not moving targets.
23% corporate rate
Austria's corporation tax (KöSt) was reduced to 23%, below Germany's effective burden and competitive across Western Europe. Ordinary deductions apply, with a modest minimum tax for GmbHs.Below Germany's effective burden.
Private: 27.5% flat
Since March 2022, private crypto gains are taxed at a flat 27.5% capital rate, aligned with the treatment of securities - the old one-year speculation rule was abolished, so holding period no longer changes the outcome.Aligned with securities; no holding rule.
Crypto-to-crypto is not a trigger
Swaps between crypto-assets are, as a rule, not a taxable event for private investors - tax arises on exchange into fiat or goods. A clean, settled position that simplifies record-keeping.Generally not a taxable event.
VAT-exempt exchange
Crypto-to-fiat exchange is VAT-exempt as a financial service under the Hedqvist line - the 20% standard rate touches only ordinary supplies.Hedqvist line; 20% on ordinary supplies.
A settled, researchable regime
Austria's crypto tax rules are codified rather than improvised, with Ministry of Finance guidance behind them. Positions are researchable, not a matter of hope.Codified rules, Ministry guidance behind them.
DAC8 reporting from 2026
EU-wide crypto reporting applies from January 2026 - CASPs report client transactions to tax authorities automatically. Compliance is built into your setup from day one.Automatic CASP reporting, EU-wide.
Tax summary
Corporate income tax23%
Private capital rate27.5% flat
Crypto-to-crypto swapNot a taxable event
VAT on crypto exchangeExempt
Standard VAT20%
DAC8 reportingfrom 2026
*Figures as of 2026. The private-investor regime is settled Austrian law - we model both company and owner levels before you commit.
Turnkey professional support
Experienced lawyers and international consultants.
We provide end-to-end support, from company registration and the application file to regulatory interaction and compliance oversight - with an individualized approach to each client.
Oleksii Kindratenko
Builds the application itself: Austrian GmbH, AML/KYC policy pack, capital structure and tax registrations. His document sets are the reason reviews finish in months, not years.
Eugeniu Bevziuc
First point of contact for international founders. Runs the whole setup remotely, across time zones and languages - from the first call to a live, FMA-authorised business.
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Austria · FMA
Launch your crypto project in Austria with expert support.
Full-service assistance - from GmbH registration to FMA authorisation and ongoing compliance.
Get a consultation →Free legal opinion
Is Austria the right fit for your project?
Our legal team will analyze your case at no cost and provide a written legal opinion: which jurisdiction, licence scope, or route fits your business.
Written assessment within 2-5 business days
Request a free conclusion →FAQ
The Austrian crypto licence, answered.
What licence does a crypto business need in Austria?+
CASP authorisation from the FMA under MiCA - required for exchange, brokerage, custody, transfer, advice and trading-platform services. The former FM-GwG registration regime has given way to full authorisation; MiCA is the route in.
What happened to the old FM-GwG registration?+
The FMA ran a virtual-asset registration regime before MiCA. That route has closed, and providers have either converted to CASP authorisation or stopped serving clients. Registration is no longer available.
How much capital is required?+
MiCA's three classes: €50,000 for advice and order services, €125,000 for exchange, execution and custody, €150,000 for a trading platform - or a quarter of annual fixed overheads if that is higher.
How long does FMA authorisation take?+
The MiCA clock is 25 working days to completeness plus 40 for assessment, but the FMA's completeness bar is the real timeline. Well-prepared files land in 6-10 months; thin files circle far longer.
What substance does the FMA expect?+
An Austrian GmbH with effective management in the country: at least two fit-and-proper managing directors, a compliance function on the ground, a real office and systems that demonstrably run. Letterbox structures are rejected.
Why Austria rather than Germany or Switzerland?+
Austria is German-speaking and inside the EU: you get Germany's commercial culture without BaFin's queue, and Switzerland's neighbourhood while keeping an EU passport. It is also the traditional bridge into Central and Eastern Europe.
How are crypto companies taxed?+
A 23% corporate rate on company profits. Private investors pay a flat 27.5% capital rate on crypto gains, with crypto-to-crypto swaps generally not a taxable event. Crypto-fiat exchange is VAT-exempt; DAC8 reporting applies from 2026.
Does the Austrian licence passport across the EU?+
Yes - one FMA authorisation covers all 27 EU member states through MiCA passporting after a notification, with no re-licensing. From the centre of the continent, that reach is easy to put to work.
What licence is needed?+
FMA CASP authorisation under MiCA - the route in.
Old FM-GwG registration?+
Closed; firms converted or exited.
Capital?+
€50k / €125k / €150k by service class.
How long?+
6-10 months; completeness drives it.
Substance?+
GmbH, two directors, real office and compliance.
Why Austria?+
German-speaking, in the EU, CEE gateway.
Company taxes?+
23% corporate; 27.5% flat for private investors.
EU passport?+
Yes - all 27 states by notification.
Client notes
Google4.7★★★★★
Founders who wanted it done right.
Google4.7★★★★★
“As a software development crew at FewMoreTaps OÜ, we've had the pleasure of working with Prifinance on some key financial moves.First of all, navigating the world of corporate banking and finance can be a maze, but Prifinance made it feel like a walk in the park. They helped us set up a corporate bank account without the hassle of jumping on a plane or drowning in paperwork. Everything was done remotely, smoothly…”
Google
“I had their assistance in company registration and I would recommend them. They were answering all my clarification during the process and offering all their supportThank you Daniel and Irinia”
Google
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Google
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Get a free legal opinion on your project - our legal team will analyze your case at no cost and provide a written legal opinion: which jurisdiction, licence scope, or route fits your business.Free legal opinion: which Austrian route fits your project and what it will cost.
✓Written legal opinion within 2-5 business days - free of charge✓A clear recommendation on the right licence scope, not a sales pitch✓Transparent fixed fees, confirmed up front✓EN · RU · ES speaking team
Prifinance is an independent law and advisory firm. We are not a regulator and are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of the FMA or any other public authority. Authorisations are granted by, and obtained directly from, the competent authorities.