German Chamber of Commerce in Austria

The Deutsche Handelskammer in Österreich (DHK), or German Chamber of Commerce in Austria, is a bilateral business membership organization headquartered in Vienna. It is part of the worldwide network of German Chambers of Commerce Abroad (Auslandshandelskammern, AHK), which spans more than 150 locations in 93 countries. The DHK describes itself as the largest German-Austrian business network in Austria, connecting companies, institutions and decision-makers from both countries. It represents the interests of roughly 1,400 member companies in economic exchange between Austria and Germany and serves as a lobbyist and service provider, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises. The chamber's origins reach back to 1920, when an association to safeguard German industrial and commercial interests was founded in Vienna, later becoming the "Deutsche Wirtschaftskammer für Österreich." That body was dissolved in 1938 following the annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany. The modern chamber was re-established at a founding meeting on 22 September 1955 as the "Deutsche Handelskammer in Wien," with equal representation of German and Austrian personalities in its organs and equal rights for members from both countries. In 2025 the DHK marked its 70th anniversary (1955–2025). The DHK offers services such as support for market entry, business partner matching, market analyses, credit information and tax matters. It organizes around 80 events per year, mostly in the Vienna area, including the German-Austrian Technology Forum, business breakfasts, cross-mentoring programs and member networking events. Its governing bodies — the Präsidium (presidium) and Vorstand (board) — are composed of business leaders from Germany and Austria. As of the evidence, the president is Hans Dieter Pötsch, supervisory board chairman of Volkswagen AG, who has held the office since 2019. The presidium includes seven members and two honorary presidents, and the board draws together executives from major German and Austrian companies. The chamber is a private, non-profit membership organization rather than a listed company. It operates under the umbrella of the AHK network and maintains a presence in the Austrian federal provinces through chairs of regional delegations. Its activities focus on fostering bilateral trade, providing practical business services and advocating for the German economy's interests in Austria.

The Deutsche Handelskammer in Österreich traces its roots to the period after World War I, when German industry sought to rebuild its contacts in Europe and overseas through the establishment of foreign chambers of commerce. Austria, after the formation of the First Republic and the dissolution of the nearly autarkic economic space of the former empire, had to turn more strongly to its Western trading partners. Against this background, an association to safeguard German industrial and commercial interests was founded in Vienna as early as 1920, from which the "Deutsche Wirtschaftskammer für Österreich" (German Chamber of Commerce for Austria) subsequently emerged. Membership grew steadily: 500 members in 1923, 830 in 1924, and 400 members in Germany and 500 in Austria in 1928. In 1926 the total number reached 1,030. With the entry of German troops into Austria in March 1938, the German chamber in Vienna lost its function. It was dissolved on 9 August 1938 by the responsible Stillhaltekommissar (a Nazi-era liquidation commissioner). Its assets of around 24,000 Reichsmarks flowed to the Reichswirtschaftskammer in Berlin. In 1951/52, circles in both the German and Austrian economies considered re-establishing a bilateral German-Austrian chamber of commerce on a voluntary basis with equal participation of companies from both countries. At the actual founding meeting on 22 September 1955, there was agreement that the new chamber would have equal representation of German and Austrian personalities in its organs, that members of both countries would be granted the same rights, and that the "Deutsche Handelskammer in Wien" would work for the mutual benefit of the German and Austrian economies. These principles were implemented in the following years. From 1984, the industrial clerk Horst Münzner (born 1925) served as president of the Deutsche Handelskammer in Österreich. Today, 1,400 companies are members of the DHK, with membership being voluntary. The chamber sees itself as a representation of the German economy and promotes Germany as a business location. It is a lobbyist for around 1,400 member companies. The presidium and board of the DHK are composed of entrepreneurial and leadership figures from the German and Austrian business communities. The DHK is a provider of services, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises, including support for foreign market entry, business partner matching, market analyses, credit information and tax matters. Most events take place in the Vienna area. In 2025 the chamber celebrated its 70th anniversary (1955–2025).

• 2025

  70th anniversary of the chamber (1955–2025).

• 2019

  Hans Dieter Pötsch becomes president.

• 1984

  Horst Münzner becomes president of the Deutsche Handelskammer in Österreich.

• 1955

  Founding meeting on 22 September 1955 re-establishes the chamber as Deutsche Handelskammer in Wien.

• 1938

  Chamber dissolved on 9 August 1938 by the Stillhaltekommissar; assets of around 24,000 RM transferred to the Reichswirtschaftskammer in Berlin.

• 1928

  400 members in Germany and 500 in Austria.

• 1926

  Total membership reaches 1,030.

• 1924

  Membership reaches 830.

• 1923

  Membership reaches 500.

• 1920

  Association to safeguard German industrial and commercial interests founded in Vienna, later becoming the Deutsche Wirtschaftskammer für Österreich.

Largest German-Austrian business network in Austria; lobbyist and service provider for around 1,400 member companies, especially SMEs.

• Market entry support

  Assistance for companies entering the Austrian or German market.

• Business partner matching

  Connecting companies with potential partners in the other country.

• Market analyses

  Provision of market research and analyses.

• Credit information

  Bonitätsauskünfte (creditworthiness information).

• Tax matters advisory

  Support on tax-related issues.

1. 1Deutsche Handelskammer in Österreich (DHK): Wir schaffen Erfolge!oesterreich.ahk.de
2. 2Über unsoesterreich.ahk.de
3. 3Vorstandoesterreich.ahk.de
4. 4Präsidiumoesterreich.ahk.de
5. 5Deutsche Handelskammer in Österreich – Wikipediade.wikipedia.org
6. 6Deutsche Handelskammer in Österreich – Wikidatawikidata.org