Mountain Guide beings: Canyoning Guide - Licence

Canyoning guides are entitled to operate as guides and companions on canyoning tours. Official authorisation (a permit) is required to work as a canyoning guide.

The activity may be carried out only after authorisation (a permit) has become legally binding.

EUR 76.30 provincial administrative charge
EUR 47.30 statutory application fee
EUR 83.60 statutory fee for official copies of documentation

The further costs depend on the number of enclosures submitted (EUR 3.90 per sheet (= four DIN A4 pages) up to a maximum of EUR 21.80 per enclosure).

If a report by a non-official expert is necessary, this will be communicated separately in advance.

Section 3 of the Mountain Guide Act, Order of the Provincial Government on the recognition of formal qualification evidence, the adaptation period and the aptitude test in accordance with European Union law within the framework of the Mountain Guide Act; Order of the Provincial Government on training courses and the examinations and recognition of examinations and training courses in accordance with the Mountain Guide Act

General Administrative Procedure Act (Allgemeines Verwaltungsverfahrensgesetz) 1991

Vorarlberg Provincial Regulation on Administrative Fees
(Verwaltungsabgabenverordnung des Landes Vorarlberg)

Austrian Fees and Duties Act 1957 [Gebührengesetz 1957]

Upon application, a permit is granted by the Provincial Government to persons who

a) can provide evidence of professional qualification,
b) have Austrian citizenship or equivalent status under European Union law or on the basis of an international treaty,
c) are 18 years old, and
d) are of good repute, physically and mentally fit for the job and professionally qualified.

In Vorarlberg, temporary activity (known as ‘leisure traffic’) is also allowed without a permit.
Before completing the training course to become a canyoning guide, it is possible to be recognised as an aspirant canyoning guide by the Mountain Guide Association.
Aspirant canyoning guides are recognised for up to 3 years.

Bergführerwesen: Canyoning-Führer - Antrag auf Erteilung einer Konzession [Mountain Guide beings: Conyoning guide - licence]

Additional requirements:

Professional competence must be evidenced by passing the Canyoning guide examination pursuant to Section 6 of the Mountain Guide Act or by means of recognition pursuant to Sections 10 and 11 of the Mountain Guide Act. In individual cases, the Provincial Government may recognise other training courses as a substitute for the official training and examination if equivalence to the Canyoning Guide training and examination can be proven according to the Vorarlberg regulations. Training certificates from other Member States or other countries for which there are state treaties with the European Union stating their equivalence shall be recognised by the Vorarlberg Provincial Government, provided that there are no significant differences. If significant differences cannot be compensated by means of professional experience or lifelong learning, the applicant shall be required to take an aptitude test or an adaptation course.

The necessary good repute must be proven by submitting a criminal record certificate. Evidence of good repute will be recognised if issued to citizens of the European Union by a competent authority in their Member State of origin. Where such evidence is not issued in the Member State of origin, proof of good repute may be provided by means of a sworn statement; where such a declaration is not provided for in the Member State concerned, proof may be provided by means of a solemn declaration made before a competent authority of that Member State.

The necessary physical and mental aptitude shall be evidenced by means of a medical certificate. For European Union citizens, the physical and mental fitness required in their Member State of origin will be recognised as evidence. If no such evidence is required in the Member State concerned, a certificate of physical and mental aptitude issued by a competent authority in that State shall be accepted.

Evidence and certificates regarding good repute and physical and mental aptitude must not be older than three months at the time of submission.

Personal data are processed in order to handle your case and/or conduct proceedings. Information on data processing and your rights as a data subject can be found on the form.

Amt der Vorarlberger Landesregierung, Amtsstelle Sportreferat [Office of the Vorarlberg Provincial Government, Sports Department]

No electronic or handwritten signature is required for applications.

An appeal against a decision of the Provincial Government may be filed with the Provincial Administrative Court. The appeal must specify the contested decision and the authority that issued it. It must contain a request and set out the grounds on which the allegation of unlawfulness is based.

The appeal must be filed in writing with the competent Provincial Government within four weeks from the date of service of the
decision and must contain information that makes it possible to assess its timeliness. The appeal may be filed electronically. Appeals in administrative proceedings. 

EAP Vorarlberg 

Amt der Vorarlberger Landesregierung
Römerstraße 15
6900 Bregenz

16.10.2019