Forecasts up to 1995, the year in which Austria became a member of the European Union, predicted the acquisition of the most part of Austrian companies by foreign operators. The CRIF study shows, rather, the opposite trend; so much so that the latest study shows that 93% of companies analyzed are still in Austrian hands. The reason can be found mainly in the family management of a large part of Austrian companies, as well as in the medium-small dimensions, which do not make them particularly attractive to foreign investors.
If, however, it is true that only 7% of companies in Austria are controlled by international owners, it is also true that these control 27% of the entire market.
In terms of the preferred sectors, the highest shares are found in trade, followed by services and manufacturing.
In relation to the countries of origin of international investors, on the other hand, they are frequently connected to the Austrian region in which they operate. In the east, in Burgenland, it is the Hungarians that are most represented; in the west, in Vorarlberg, it is the Swiss, while in Carinzia it is the Italians.
In the capital, Vienna, on the other hand, non-Austrian investors most often come from Germany.
Looking at the general framework, it is noted that Germany is also the country of origin of the absolute majority of foreign investors active in Austria. According to the study, in fact, there are 5,263 German-owned companies in the country. These are followed by Swiss businesses (1,622), Italian, (1,308), Dutch (1,069), British (898) and Hungarian (653).
