ID Austria
ID Austria enables users to verify their identity when using more than 200 online public administration and business services. It serves as the key to using digital applications on the Internet securely. Furthermore, ID Austria also offers functions such as the secure electronic delivery of official documents and a way of signing electronic documents that is legally valid throughout Europe; it also means people can carry their digital driving licence on their smartphone. In order to be able to make full use of ID Austria, users need to have the Digitales Amt (Digital Office) app on their smartphone. This is also required in order to use the eAusweise (eID) app. ID Austria is a further development of mobile phone signatures (Handy-Signatur) and Citizen Cards and meets the highest data protection standards in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Austrian Data Protection Act (Datenschutzgesetz, DSG).
ID Austria enables users to verify their identity when using more than 200 online public administration and business services. It serves as the key to using digital applications on the Internet securely. Furthermore, ID Austria also offers functions such as the secure electronic delivery of official documents and a way of signing electronic documents that is legally valid throughout Europe; it also means people can carry their digital driving licence on their smartphone. In order to be able to make full use of ID Austria, users need to have the Digitales Amt (Digital Office) app on their smartphone. This is also required in order to use the eAusweise (eID) app. ID Austria is a further development of mobile phone signatures (Handy-Signatur) and Citizen Cards and meets the highest data protection standards in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Austrian Data Protection Act (Datenschutzgesetz, DSG).
The main functions of ID Austria
- Digital administrative services: If they use ID Austria as a digital form of ID, users only need to login once to access numerous online official channels directly, via the Digitales Amt (Digital Office) app or the oesterreich.gv.at website.
- Electronic post office (My Mailbox): ID Austria enables addressees to receive official documentation (e.g. registration certificates, extracts from their criminal record) digitally. This even includes delivery of official documents which would normally be sent by registered letter requiring proof of delivery (RSa or RSb documents).
- Electronic signature: With ID Austria, an electronic signature that is legally valid throughout Europe can be added to documents.
- Digital ID: During the first stage of development, users can carry important personal documents like their driving licence with them on their smartphone and present them by accessing the digital ID platform.
How do I get an ID Austria account?
Users whose mobile phone signature has already been officially registered via Magistrat (Municipal District Office) or FinanzOnline, for example, can switch to ID Austria by using the Digitales Amt (Digital Office) app and without confirming their identity to the authorities again. If their mobile phone signature has not been officially registered, they will need to visit their local authority to confirm their identity. ID Austria is available free of charge to anyone over the age of 14 living in Austria. People who do not have Austrian citizenship can apply for ID Austria from their regional police headquarters.
- Online switching from an officially registered mobile phone signature
To activate ID Austria, users of an officially registered mobile phone signature must download the Digitales Amt (Digital Office) app and follow the instructions. Anyone who is interested in switching will need the document number from their Austrian passport or ID card.
- If you do not have an officially registered mobile phone signature
Users without a registered mobile phone signature must present themselves in person to a registering authority to confirm their identity. Once they have confirmed their identity in person, they can register using an ID Austria printout (QR code), SMS-TAN (Transaction Authentication Number), postal TAN (sent by registered letter requiring proof of delivery, RSa document) or FIDO security key, as preferred. They can also pre-register for ID Austria at any time using the Digitales Amt (Digital Office) app.
