Procedure for establishing civic associations

What

Civic organization is not organized for profit but operates for educational or charitable purposes or social welfare purposes. Here there is some information regarding the legal basis for founding an association.

Good to know

You need to pay the fees for foundation only in case of positive resolution.

Steps

STEP 1: You need to submit to the responsible authority the following documents: the statutes of the association in German agreed by at least 2 people (at least 14 years of age), an application form, and a signature of notification of foundation (Errichtungsanzeige) by the founding members. You can find samples of the statues, the application form and other important documents (e.g. changing representative of the association) here (in German): www.bmi.gv.at/cms/BMI_Vereinswesen/abfragen/start.aspx

STEP 2: You’ll receive a response from the competent authority in 4 to 6 weeks.

STEP 3: If approved you can now ascribe in the central registration of associations (Zentral Vereinsregister – ZVR). You have to do it online (in German): citizen.bmi.gv.at/at.gv.bmi.fnsweb-p/zvn/public/Registerauszug

After this registration, the association becomes a legal entity.

Where

Municipality (Gemeinde or Magistrat) or District administration office (Bezirkshauptmannschaft) (in German): www.help.gv.at/Portal.Node/hlpd/public/behoerden