Fulfilling bureaucratic tasks is a major challenge for companies. In this research study, the bureaucratic burden of enterprises in the commercial sector in Lower Austria was surveyed and the bureaucratic burden index was calculated. The focus is on determining the time and financial burden of bureaucracy for companies and possible measures to reduce it. With about 111,000 enterprises, about 424,00 employees and a turnover of about € 120 billion, the commercial enterprises in Lower Austria represent a significant economic factor. This study uses a broad definition of bureaucracy, which includes all bureaucratic burdens in the form of working hours and external costs that companies regularly incur as a result of complying with legal requirements (information obligations, administrative regulations, laws, etc.). The results of the study are based on an online survey of 1,191 companies and interviews with experts and entrepreneurs. Defined areas of bureaucracy such as accounting and financial reporting, taxes, social security, data protection and others were analysed. The total administrative burden amounts to around 53 million working hours per year and around €3 billion, with the costs being particularly high in craft trades, commerce, information and consulting. Digitisation brings relief, but also implementation problems. Conclusion: The administrative burden is the result of a large number of different obligations. Reducing bureaucracy therefore requires, among other things, simplification, better coordination and targeted monitoring.

Selected results of the study can be found in the presentation given at the WKNÖ press conference in June.