Freelance in Austria

Freelance in Austria: how freelancers pay taxes, get paid by foreign clients and find work, and which skills are in demand. Hire or offer services on Kits.

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The freelance market in Austria

Austria has a solid market for IT, design, marketing and engineering freelancers, especially in Vienna, Graz and Linz. Clients also come from Germany and Switzerland, sharing the German language.

Taxes and legal status

Some activities require a trade licence (Gewerbeschein); others, such as writing, design or many IT services, fall under "new self-employed" and only need registration with the tax office and the SVS social insurance. Income tax is progressive. The small business rule (Kleinunternehmerregelung) exempts you from charging VAT under an annual turnover limit. SVS contributions are charged provisionally and adjusted later.

This is general information as of 2026, not tax or legal advice. Rates and thresholds change, so check them with the tax authority or a local accountant before you register.

Getting paid

Clients in the EU usually pay by SEPA transfer in EUR, which is fast and cheap inside the European payment area. PayPal, Wise and Revolut are widely used for smaller amounts and clients outside the EU.

SEPA transfers in EUR
PayPal
Wise and Revolut
Stripe invoices

Skills in demand

software development
engineering and CAD
graphic and web design
marketing in German
translation
tourism marketing

Tips for freelancers in Austria

Set money aside for the SVS back-payment that follows your first tax assessment.
German and Swiss clients are close and share your language.
Tourism businesses in the Alps need seasonal marketing.

Hiring a freelancer from Austria

Local time in Austria is UTC+1 (UTC+2 in summer), so agree in advance on the hours when you are both available for calls. Describe the task, the deadline and the budget in your first message, ask for examples of similar work, and fix what counts as done before work starts. If the work is for a local audience, a freelancer who knows the language and the market will save you rewrites.

Kits for freelancers in Austria

Kits is an international freelance marketplace that is not tied to one country. Freelancers in Austria can publish services with a portfolio and a clear price, or respond to clients' jobs, and talk to clients in the built-in chat. The first listing on each account is free, and the site works in nine languages, from English and Spanish to Russian, Turkish and Georgian.

Popular categories

All categories

Design Development & IT Writing & Translation Marketing & SMM Video & Animation Business Music & Audio

Frequently asked questions

Help center

How are freelancers taxed in Austria?

Freelancers work as "new self-employed" (Neue Selbständige) or with a trade licence, are insured with the SVS and pay progressive income tax; the small business rule exempts from VAT under a turnover limit. Rules change, so check the current rates with the tax authority or an accountant before you register.

How do freelancers in Austria get paid by foreign clients?

The usual options are SEPA transfers in EUR, PayPal, Wise and Revolut and Stripe invoices. Which one suits you depends on the client's country, the fees and how fast you need the money.

Which freelance skills are in demand in Austria?

software development, engineering and CAD, graphic and web design, marketing in German, translation and tourism marketing.

Can I find a freelancer in Austria on Kits?

Yes. Kits is open to clients and freelancers from any country. Search the catalogue or post a job, compare portfolios and reviews, and agree on the details in the chat.