The diplomatic activities of the Order in general are already documented in 1244/49, when a representative in Marseilles purchased grain on behalf of the Grand Master, as well as a representative of the Order who is mentioned in documents and represents the interests of the Order in Rome at the Holy See.

Diplomatic relations with Austria have a long history. According to the modern justified definition of diplomatic relations, these began in1648 when an Envoy was established in Vienna after the Peace of Westphalia, as confirmed by the Historical Office of the BMEIA – Federal Ministry for European and Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Austria. But even before Envoys have been active in Austria, in times, where a definition of diplomatic relations as we have them today was lacking.

Until 1747, the Order of Malta maintained four legations worldwide in the geographical regions of importance to the Order, amongst them in Vienna, as well as in Rome, Paris and Madrid. As late as 1885, only three (!) permanent envoys were accredited in Vienna; the other states only had Chargés d’affaires. Until the 19th century, the Grand Prior was also the Order’s envoy to the Emperor. The legation remained closed from 1938 to 1945, as the Order in Austria was under forced administration by the Third Reich. On 6 December 1957, Robert Comte de Billy was reappointed as envoy based on the pre-1938 appointment. Since 1975, the Order has been represented by an Ambassador to the Republic of Austria.

Ambassadors to the Republic of Austria since 1975:
1975 – 1983 – Robert Comte de Billy
1983 – 2006 – Gioacchino Barone Malfatti di Montetretto
2006 – 2013 – Dr. Alessandro Quaroni
2013 – 2018 – Dr. Christof Maria Fritzen
since 2018 – DI Sebastian Prinz von Schoenaich-Carolath