Trade licence for cleaning in Austria – building cleaning (regulated) or caretaking (free)?

Contents

1. The two routes at a glance
2. The distinction in detail
3. Proof of qualification
4. Without your own proof: a trade-law managing director
5. Registration process
6. Location
7. Common mistakes
8. Checklist for your start-up advice appointment
9. Frequently asked questions
10. Sources

In short: For offices, shops, practices, industry, façades and glass you need the regulated craft building cleaning (“Denkmal-, Fassaden- und Gebäudereinigung”) – with proof of qualification (e.g. master craftsman exam) or a trade-law managing director. The free trade caretaking (“Hausbetreuung”) only covers simple cleaning, e.g. in residential buildings. Registration itself is free of charge and can be done online via GISA/USP or at the authority. As of October 2026.

The question founders ask us most often: “Isn’t the free trade enough?” For residential buildings, sometimes yes; for offices, no. Starting with the wrong licence means building your business on a permission that doesn’t cover your most important service.

The two routes at a glance

The distinction in detail

This is based on the federal list of free trades (Hausbetreuung) and the WKO description of the craft. Cleaning offices with the free trade risks proceedings for unauthorised trading – and competitors do report it.

Practical examples

• Stairwell cleaning in three residential buildings for a property manager: possible with caretaking.
• The same property manager also wants the ground-floor office cleaned: office cleaning – craft required.
• Final clean after a flat renovation: post-construction cleaning – craft.
• Medical practice twice a week: contract cleaning in a business – craft.

What about “partial trades”?

Older sources mention partial trades (Teilgewerbe). This category was abolished with the 2017 trade law amendment; former partial trades became free trades. For cleaning, what counts today is the distinction between the building-cleaning craft and the free caretaking trade. If you come across old information, check the current legal situation with the WKO.

Proof of qualification

Classic route: the master craftsman exam plus entrepreneur exam. The access regulation also allows combinations, for example:

• an apprenticeship in building cleaning (or a relevant school) plus several years of practice,
• several years as self-employed or plant manager plus practice,
• a relevant degree plus practice.

There is also individual qualification (§ 19 GewO) if your knowledge can be proven another way. The WKO start-up service or the trade authority will tell you which option fits. Bring certificates and references with a description of tasks and periods – “cleaner” alone is often not enough.

Without your own proof: a trade-law managing director

A qualified person can be appointed as trade-law managing director (§ 39 GewO). They are responsible to the authority for compliance with trade law and must be actively involved in the business.

• Sole trader: the person generally has to be employed for at least half of the normal weekly hours with full social insurance.
• GmbH: they must be a member of the body authorised to represent the company externally (statutory managing director) or be employed for at least half of the normal weekly hours.

Example (assumption): a qualified person on 20 hours a week, paid well above the agreement minimum because of the responsibility, quickly costs €20,000 or more a year including special payments and payroll costs. That amount has to come in through your prices: Calculating the hourly rate for cleaning – the right way. Make sure the person actually works in the business – a mere “name on paper” is legally problematic.

Registration process

1. Start-up advice at WKO, NeuFö 2 confirmed before registering.
2. Register online (GISA/USP with ID Austria), at the WKO start-up service or the trade authority (in Vienna the district office).
3. Documents: ID, location, declaration on exclusion grounds; for the craft, proof of qualification or managing-director documents; depending on your situation further documents (e.g. residence permit, foreign criminal record).
4. Once complete you may start; the GISA extract serves as proof. WKO membership and SVS insurance follow automatically.

Costs: registration is free; with NeuFöG certain other start-up fees are waived too. Ongoing costs are SVS contributions and the WKO base levy: Small-business VAT exemption, SVS and taxes in the first year.

Location

You need a business location – for small cleaning firms often your flat or a small office. Check whether your lease allows business use and whether you need storage for equipment: Cleaning equipment and supplies for starting out – the basics.

Common mistakes

1. Cleaning offices or practices with caretaking.
2. A trade-law managing director only “on paper”.
3. Getting NeuFö 2 confirmed after registering.
4. Pricing without the managing director’s cost.
5. Relying on outdated information about partial trades.

Overall process: Starting a cleaning company in Austria – step by step.

Checklist for your start-up advice appointment

To get the most out of the WKO session, bring or clarify beforehand:

• Service list: what do you want to offer in the first two years? (offices, stairwells, windows, deep cleaning, post-construction)
• Certificates: apprenticeship, school and university certificates, employment references with tasks and periods
• Plan B: is there a qualified person who could act as trade-law managing director?
• Legal form: sole trader or GmbH – with first thoughts on liability
• Location: address, storage, permission for business use

Ask for the NeuFö 2 confirmation at the same time so fees are waived.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

1. WKO – building cleaners
2. WKO – Hausbetreuung, list of free trades
3. WKO – access regulation for building cleaners (consolidated)
4. § 39 GewO