Funding for Foreign Trade in Austria

If you want to enter new markets, build export sales, or scale your offering internationally, foreign trade funding in Austria can be a real lever. Especially for SMEs, startups, and growth-oriented companies, the first steps abroad are often associated with high upfront costs, information needs, and risks – from market analyses and partner searches to certifications, logistics, and payment terms.

Important to know: Foreign trade funding in Austria often does not work as a classic project grant but through services and instruments that practically enable internationalization. These include market entry and consulting services (e.g., via Außenwirtschaft Austria of the WKÖ), EU-wide partnering and market access support (e.g., via the Enterprise Europe Network), country-specific trade fair and market development funding, as well as export transaction insurance and financing (e.g., export guarantees and financing through OeKB Export Services). Depending on the project, aws instruments or programs from your federal state may also be useful.

In 2026, topics such as supply chain resilience, ESG and climate criteria, digital internationalization (online sales, data compliance, cybersecurity), as well as green tech and digitalization will come more into focus. To make your application convincing, you need a clear market and go-to-market logic, a thorough risk and compliance perspective, and a coherent justification as to why exactly this target market and timing are appropriate.

The funding compass helps you find suitable foreign trade funding in Austria faster: You can match funding agencies and instruments, better assess requirements, and receive step-by-step support in preparing your application. This way, you gain structure, save time, and approach implementation more focused.