Location Austria: Record year for ABA‑Consultations and a clear course set for promotion to the top‑10 of the most competitive OECD‑countries

The Austrian Business Agency (ABA) recorded more consultations in 2025 than ever before. International companies supported by ABA invest around €900 million in Austria. In terms of business locations and expansion, there is increasing momentum from Central and Eastern Europe. With its Industry Strategy 2035, the Austrian federal government has defined a clear framework for strengthening competitiveness of the country as a business location.

In 2025, the ABA conducted a total of 26,736 consultations for international companies, skilled workers and film productions. This is the highest figure achieved by the location agency since its inception. The development clearly shows: Despite a challenging economic environment, Austria remains in high demand internationally – both as a business and research location and as an attractive place to work and live.

The 283 business relocations and expansions of international companiesbusiness relocations and expansions of international companies () bring investments of around 900 million Euro to Austria. This will create more than 2700 new jobs. The companies come from 72 countries. Germany (67 projects) remains the most important country of origin. At the same time, there has been an increase in locations and expansions from Central and Eastern European countries: ABA supported around 24 company locations and expansions from Hungary, which became the second most important country of origin ahead of Italy for the first time. Western Europe (112 projects) remains the strongest region of origin, followed by Eastern Europe (72), Asia (31) and Southern Europe (30).

72 companies from the ICT sector were supported by the ABA in setting up their businesses. Business-related services, wholesale trade, life sciences, biotechnology and health were also strongly represented. The projects implemented also include 42 international startups/scaleups and 35 research and development projects – a clear signal of Austria's attractiveness as a business and research location.

Industrial Strategy 2035: Framework for strengthening competitiveness

Austria is internationally recognised as a tourist magnet. Industry contributes even more significantly to value creation in the country: It creates a quarter of all jobs, accounts for a quarter of gross domestic product and represents two-thirds of all research expenditure. With the Industrial Strategy 2035Industrial Strategy 2035 () presented at the start of 2026, the Austrian federal government is establishing a binding industrial policy framework. The aim is to facilitate investment, speed up procedures and strengthen the country's industrial base in the long term. Plans include modernised funding instruments, simplified approval procedures and an industrial electricity price from 2027 onwards. By 2029, the federal government will provide €2.6 billion for R&D in nine key technologies in which Austria wants to grow internationally. These include, for example, quantum technology and photonics, life sciences and biotechnology, advanced production technologies and robotics, as well as space and aviation technologies.

Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer, Federal Minister of Economy, Energy and Tourism: "With the Industrial Strategy, we are setting a clear direction for the first time: with 114 concrete measures, clearly defined key technologies and measurable implementation, we are strengthening innovation, resilience and competitiveness—and making an unambiguous commitment to Austria as a manufacturing location."

As part of the industrial strategy, the ABA will also be further developed and strengthened as a central service point for international future investments. The focus here is on targeted location marketing in key technologies, the expansion of international skilled worker hubs in Europe, Latin America and Southeast Asia, and the consistent digitalisation of service offerings.

Skilled workers: ABA supports recruitment

Austrian skilled workers are highly qualified, motivated and very loyal, as studies show. With the second highest proportion of graduates in STEM subjects in the EU and the dual education system, companies in Austria cover most of their personnel needs from within the country. However, like all industrialised countries, Austria also needs skilled workers from abroad. Due to its high quality of life, strong purchasing power, stability and security, efficient infrastructure and one of the best healthcare systems in the world, Austria is an attractive place for international professionals to work and live.

ABA offers all companies in Austria free services for recruiting international skilled workers.international skilled workers. () In 2025, the location agency team advised 21,000 top international professionals, students and their family members on living and working in Austria – an increase of 31 per cent compared to 2024. In addition, the Immigration and Residence Service Centre provided nearly 4,000 consultations on the Red-White-Red Card and other residence permits. More than 8000 professionals are active on the ABA Talent Hub.

René Tritscher, Managing Director of ABA: "The figures show impressively: International companies and skilled workers make extensive use of our free services. The ABA has established itself as a competence centre for business location, international skilled workers and film productions. Our goal is clear: Attracting international companies to Austria with investments, creating jobs and strengthening the country's competitiveness in the long term."

Questions and contact person

Austrian Business Agency
Thomas Schweinberger  
Public Relations  
M.: +43 676 898 590 462 
presse@aba.gv.atpresse@aba.gv.at ()