Key facts for Austria
Christmas is the central business gifting occasion, with a strong advent tradition.
How companies in Austria give year-end gifts
Austria shares the German-speaking advent culture: advent calendars, Nikolaus treats on 6 December and Christmas gifts are all familiar in a business setting. Companies typically send client gifts in early to mid December, before the office Christmas party (Weihnachtsfeier) and before the holiday period, which in practice starts on 24 December and runs through 6 January for many firms. Gifts to employees are often given at the Christmas party or as a non-cash gift to all staff, which keeps them within the annual tax-free allowance for staff gifts. For clients, branded gifts with a clear advertising character are the norm, and quality food products such as chocolate, tea and coffee are popular. Card texts are usually in German with formal address; Austrian wording such as 'Frohe Weihnachten und ein gutes neues Jahr' is preferred. Note that 8 December is a public holiday, so plan deliveries around it.
Gift occasions in Austria
Advent
advent calendars and small seasonal treats are widely appreciated
Nikolaus
chocolate figures and small sweets are a common office gesture
Christmas
main occasion for employee and client gifts
New Year
New Year greetings are acceptable for late deliveries
Good practice
- Plan deliveries before 8 December, which is a public holiday
- For staff gifts, give the same non-cash gift to all employees to stay within the tax-free allowance
- Use branded packaging so client gifts have a clear advertising character
- Write cards in German with formal address
Avoid
- Do not give cash or cash-convertible vouchers as staff gifts
- Avoid lavish gifts to public officials
Design and wording
Christmas themes are fully appropriate.
Gift policies
The Austrian Criminal Code penalizes giving advantages to public officials (sections 304–307b StGB); keep any gifts to officials token in value or avoid them.
Tax rules on business gifts
| Clients and partners | Client gifts are deductible as a business expense only if they have an advertising character (e.g. branded items); otherwise they are treated as non-deductible representation costs. |
|---|---|
| Employees | Non-cash gifts to all employees on a general occasion (such as Christmas) are tax-free up to EUR 186 per employee per year; cash gifts do not qualify. Company events have a separate EUR 365 allowance. |
General information, not tax advice. Check with your accountant. Sources: [1] [2]
Delivery to Austria
Intra-EU shipment from Poland: no customs declarations or import duties; prices are quoted with the applicable VAT treatment for your company.
Planning dates for Austria
| Order personalized stock advent calendars by | 20 Nov 2026 |
|---|---|
| Order Christmas hampers by | 1 Dec 2026 |
| Fully custom calendars for 2027 — order between | 01.2027 – 08.2027 |
Indicative planning dates; exact dates are confirmed in your proposal.
Recommended formats for Austria
Chocolate advent calendars
Twenty-four chocolates and your brand on the front from 1 to 24 December.
Tea & coffee calendars
A tea or coffee advent calendar with your logo is a measured, practical gift for clients and colleagues who prefer to avoid sweets.
Beauty calendars
A beauty advent calendar is a premium December gift.
Plush & merch calendars
A merchandise advent calendar distributes your branded items across 24 doors: socks, pins, stickers, small plush and treats, each carrying your logo.
Empty calendar boxes
For companies that already have the filling: custom printed advent calendar boxes in bulk, designed around your products and delivered flat or…
Christmas hampers
Corporate Christmas hampers with your logo on the box, ribbon or card, composed to your budget band and delivered to one office or to individual home…
Frequently asked questions
How much can an Austrian employer give staff tax-free at Christmas?
Non-cash gifts to all employees are tax-free up to EUR 186 per employee per year, according to the Austrian business service portal (USP). Cash does not qualify. This is not tax advice.
Are advent calendars a common corporate gift in Austria?
Yes. Advent is widely observed, and branded advent calendars for staff and clients are a familiar format.
Is 8 December a working day in Austria?
No, 8 December (Immaculate Conception) is a public holiday, although many shops open. Plan deliveries for the days before.