Tourist Guides from Third Countries – Business Activity in Austria

In Austria, the profession of tour-guides is regulated. Its practice is subject to certain conditions under Austrian law. Accordingly, foreign nationals residing in Austria may only practice the profession of a tour guide, like Austrian citizens, if...

• a residence permit is held that allows the pursuit of self-employment and
  
• all other requirements for carrying out the business (in particular the
  proof of qualification) are met.

Working as a tour-guide in Austria is therefore essentially only possible for third-country nationals by establishing a business (registering a trade) in Austria. This requires, among other things, a residence permit (residence title) under the Austrian Aliens Act, which includes authorization to engage in self-employment, as well as proof of competence in accordance with the Austrian Trade Regulation Act.

Settlement Permit

The initial settlement permit must be applied through the competent Austrian diplomatic mission (embassy, consulate general) before entering Austria. A certificate from the trade authority responsible for the intended business location in Austria must be obtained, confirming that the other requirements for conducting business in Austria are met (in particular, proof of qualification or recognition of foreign training by the Federal Ministry for Economic, Energy and Tourism Affairs
(Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft, Energie und Tourismus Referat).

Certificate of Competence

Proof that the business owner possesses all the professional and commercial/legal knowledge, skills, and experience necessary to operate a regulated trade in Austria. State treaties may recognize foreign examination certificates as equivalent to Austrian examination certificates; otherwise, the Federal Minister for Economic, Energy and Tourism Affairs determines, upon application, on a case-by-case basis whether the required knowledge and skills have been acquired.

Inquiry note¹:
Austrian Professional Association of Sports and Leisure Enterprises
Wiedner Hauptstraße 63, 1045 Vienna/Austria
E: freizeitbetriebe@wko.at

¹ All information in this document is - despite careful preparation - provided without guarantee. The author accepts no liability.

Last updated: 2026