Archduke Ernest of Austria (born July 15, 1553 in Vienna, died February 12, 1595 in Brussels) was a son of Maximilian II, Holy Roman Emperor and Maria of Spain. In German he is Ernst von Österreich.
He was educated with his brother Rudolf II, Holy Roman Emperor, in the court of Spain. In 1573 and 1587, he was a candidate for the throne of Poland. From 1576 onwards, he was governor in the Archduchy of Austria, where he promoted the counterreformation. In 1590, he became governor of Inner Austria, and from 1594 to 1595 in the Spanish Netherlands.