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Practising law in Austria as a foreign lawyer

A route exists, with conditionsLimited home-law practice is possible

EU, EEA and Swiss lawyers can practise in Austria under their home title under a special law (EIRAG), though with narrower powers. Lawyers with a non-EU degree typically need their degree formally recognised (nostrification) before they can take the Austrian route.

Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.

Rules change. This page describes the kinds of route that exist. The regulator listed under “Official sources” publishes the current requirements, fees and dates, so always confirm with them. This is general information, not legal advice.

The routes

Lawyers from the EU, EEA and Switzerland (EIRAG)

For: Lawyers who hold a title listed under the European Lawyers Act (EIRAG).

  1. Register with the regional bar chamber and use your home professional title.
  2. In cases where a party must be represented by an Austrian lawyer, act together with an Austrian lawyer (an Einvernehmensanwalt).

Your powers are more limited than those of an Austrian lawyer.

Recognition of a foreign law degree (nostrification)

For: People who hold a law degree from outside the EU or EEA and want to follow the Austrian route.

  1. Apply to a single Austrian university to have your degree recognised as equivalent. A law degree is generally compared with the Austrian one in length (at least four years and 240 credits) and content.
  2. If the degree is equivalent only in part, the university can require supplementary examinations in Austrian law.
  3. Then follow the Austrian route: a period of practical training and the bar exam.

We could not confirm the current requirements for the practical training and the bar exam from official sources, so check with the Austrian Bar (ÖRAK) or a regional chamber.

Practising only your home-country law

EU, EEA and Swiss lawyers practise under their home title. For others, we could not confirm a rule, though the EIRAG may allow limited foreign-law advice.

Understand the legal system first

Austria belongs to the Civil law family. Knowing how its system works makes the admission route easier to follow.

Read the Austria legal-system profile in the Legal Families Atlas →
Compare Austria with another country →

Official sources

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TheLawToKnow Tools’s Bar Admission guide is an educational overview of general rules. It is not legal advice, and it does not replace the regulator’s own information. Report a mistake.