Legal measures

Up until only a few years ago, it was not possible to have the branch/ regional office of a Limited in Austria or Germany, hence it was impossible for a company to be inscribed into the commercial register.

Moreover, foreign companies that had their regional office in Austria were treated as non-incorporated firms with no limited liability.

Based on the freedom of a company's place of business, the European court of justice decided in 2003 that companies within the EU have the freedom and right to be formed and based in one member state while at the same time are leading their business activities in a different member state.

This applies to the German GmbH, the English Limited as well as the French S.A.R.L, the Dutch B.V, the Spanish S.L, etc.

Here you will find links to the basic decisions: