eID Austria: how ID Austria verification works for businesses
eID in Austria is ID Austria: 6.3 million registrations, notified at level High, accepted for remote AML checks under FM-GwG § 6(4). Data returned, age proof, EUDI Wallet dates, use cases and a launch checklist.
By Alberto RosasCo-founder & CEO, DiditUpdated 
In short
For eID Austria, there is one national scheme: ID Austria, the state electronic identity that replaced Handy-Signatur, with almost 6.3 million registrations on 1 September 2026.[8] A business should accept ID Austria first, in its full form (Vollfunktion), which is notified under eIDAS at level of assurance High.[1][4]
- Austrian anti-money laundering law accepts an electronic ID for remote customers.[15]
- Keep a document route for people under 14, migrated accounts and non-residents.[4][5]
- Austria's EUDI Wallet date is not published yet; acceptance is due by 24 December 2027 for regulated firms.[22]
People in Austria sign in to public and private services with ID Austria, a server-side electronic identity (eID) that the federal government built out of the old Handy-Signatur and Bürgerkarte.[3] It runs on a username, a signature password and a second factor, usually the ID Austria app.[19] The same login carries a qualified electronic signature.[4]
This guide covers what ID Austria returns, the law that lets a bank use it remotely, age proof, the European Digital Identity (EUDI) Wallet, and the people who do not have it. For the general model, read what eID verification is.
eID Austria at a glance: the schemes and who has them
Austria has one notified eID scheme, ID Austria, notified at level High on 27 April 2022.[1] It comes in two forms. The full form (Vollfunktion) needs an identity check in person at an authority and carries the EU-wide recognition. The basic form (Basisfunktion) is what migrated Handy-Signatur users hold until they are checked in person, and it has no EU-wide recognition.[4]
| Scheme | Operator | Users | Credential | Assurance and EU notification | Data returned | Private-sector access | Didit status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ID Austria (Vollfunktion) | Federal Chancellery (Digital Austria)[13] | Almost 6.3 million registrations, both forms (1 September 2026)[8] | Username, signature password, plus the ID Austria app or a FIDO key[19] | High; notified 27 April 2022[1] | Name, date of birth, sector identifier (bPK); more attributes with accreditation[11] | Yes, registered and accredited service providers, OIDC or SAML2[13][14] | On request |
| ID Austria (Basisfunktion) | Same | Not published separately | Migrated Handy-Signatur account[4] | No EU-wide recognition[4] | Basic data only; the extra attributes need the full level[11] | Same login, lower level | On request |
| Austrian EUDI Wallet | Not published (5 October 2026) | Not launched (5 October 2026) | Phone wallet | Wallets must be provided at level High[22] | Person identification data (PID) | Mandatory acceptance for regulated firms by 24 December 2027[22] | Coming soon |
Registrations and users are different counts. The Federal Chancellery reported about 4.9 million users in March 2026.[9]
The government counts more than 500 applications and aims for 200 more private providers in 2026.[9] Its target is all 9 million people in Austria by 2030.[10] A second app, eAusweise, holds the digital driving licence, vehicle registration, ID proof, student ID and age proof.[4]
From Handy-Signatur to the EUDI Wallet
The dates a compliance team needs, from the first mobile signature to today.
- 2009Handy-SignaturThe mobile signature starts in its current form.
- 27 April 2022NotifiedID Austria enters the EU list at level High.
- 5 December 2023ReplacementID Austria replaces Handy-Signatur.
- March 2024Age proofThe digital age proof arrives in eAusweise.
- Summer 2026RelaunchMandates in the app and the assistant "ida".
ID Austria history.[7][1][6][17][20]
Next come EU deadlines. Every Member State must provide at least one EUDI Wallet by 24 December 2026, and regulated private relying parties must accept it by 24 December 2027.[22] The AMLR, the EU Anti-Money Laundering Regulation, applies from 10 July 2027.[21]
- 24 December 2026Wallet dueEach Member State provides an EUDI Wallet.
- 10 July 2027AMLR appliesArticle 22(6) accepts eID at substantial or high.
- 24 December 2027AcceptanceRegulated private firms accept EUDI Wallets.
- 11 August 2028PortraitThe portrait becomes a mandatory PID attribute.
What changes in 2026 to 2028.[22][21][25]
Austria has not published a launch date for its EUDI Wallet as of 5 October 2026. According to Biometric Update, quoting the Commission's report on its first wallet testing event in December 2025, Austria was among the countries "showing high preparedness". What the wallet means for businesses across the EU is on the EUDI Wallet page.
The rules for eID in Austria
The national eID law
ID Austria is the "E-ID" of the E-Government Act (E-Government-Gesetz, E-GovG). Section 4 says the E-ID serves to prove a person's unique identity.[2] The law turns the person's base number (Stammzahl) into a sector-specific personal identifier (bPK) that cannot be reversed, so no raw national number reaches the service provider.[2] Under the Signature and Trust Services Act (SVG), section 4, a qualified electronic signature has the effect of a handwritten signature, with exceptions.[4]
Anti-money laundering: FM-GwG section 6(4)
The Financial Markets Anti-Money Laundering Act (FM-GwG) lets a bank identify a customer who is not physically present with extra safeguards. Point 1 is video identification, point 3 is a qualified signature with further conditions, and point 2 is the electronic ID.[15]
§ 6(4) Z 2FM-GwG
"ein gesetzlich vorgesehenes Verfahren, das gesichert dieselbe Information wie mit der Vorlage eines amtlichen Lichtbildausweises zur Verfügung stellt (elektronischer Ausweis)"
Source: RIS, FM-GwG § 6[15]
In plain English: a legal procedure that securely gives the same information as showing an official photo ID. The Financial Market Authority (FMA) also publishes a note on identification in remote business, according to its download page.
From 10 July 2027 the EU rule sits on top. AMLR Article 22(6)(b) accepts "electronic identification means which meet the requirements of Regulation (EU) No 910/2014 with regard to the assurance levels 'substantial' or 'high'".[21] The final draft standards of the EU Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA), of 30 September 2026 and not yet law, make eID the default remote route.[24]
Sector regulators and age rules
For gambling, the EU guidelines under Article 28 of the Digital Services Act expect age verification, not estimation, for access to gambling content.[23] We found no published position of the Austrian gambling or telecom regulators on ID Austria as of 5 October 2026. For age, ID Austria offers two tools: an offline age proof in eAusweise, and age attributes a service provider can request online.[16][11]
Watch out
Renewal phishing is the main fraud pattern. In April 2026 the Federal Criminal Police Office knew of almost 100 cases with about EUR 0.5 million in total damage, after fake "renew your ID Austria" text messages and calls from fake bank staff.[18] Never ask for the signature password in your own screens.
What the user sees with ID Austria
A login goes from your site to ID Austria and back with verified data after the user consents.[12][13] Exact screen texts vary.
Verify your identity
Sign in with your Austrian electronic ID.
Sign in with ID Austria
Use an ID document instead
1The user picks ID Austria and is redirected to its login.[12]
Log in
Username and signature password.
Continue
2The user enters a username and signature password, or starts with the app.[4]
Confirm the login
Fingerprint, face or device code.
Confirm
3The user confirms in the ID Austria app or with a FIDO key.[3][19]
Share your data
- NameShared
- Date of birthShared
- Sector identifierShared
- AddressNot shared
Agree
4The user agrees to the data transfer.[13]
You are verified
Your account is ready.
5Back on your site with the verified data.
Address, nationality, photo and age flags need registration, accreditation for private providers, and the full level.[11]
Behind the screens, ID Austria supports only the OpenID Connect (OIDC) authorization code flow, or SAML2.[12][14]
Password, then app or FIDO key
Simplified. The token exchange and the scheme's internal steps are left out.
| Attribute group | What it contains | Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Basic data | First name, family name, date of birth, bPK | Every login[11] |
| Technical | Issuing country, authentication level, ID Austria level, eIDAS identifier, signature certificate | Every login[11] |
| Further attributes | Registered address, nationality, current photo, age_over_14 to age_over_21, ID document data | Full level; accreditation for private providers[11] |
| Mandates | The represented person or company | When the user acts for someone else[11] |
Choosing eID routes in Austria by use case
The right setup depends on what the law asks of you and the data you need.
| Use case | What to accept | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Banks and fintech | ID Austria Vollfunktion, document route as fallback | FM-GwG § 6(4) Z 2 today, AMLR Article 22(6)(b) from 10 July 2027[15][21] |
| Crypto | Same as fintech where you are an obliged entity | The same eID rule then applies[21] |
| Gambling | ID Austria with an age attribute, or a document | Age verification expected for gambling content[23] |
| Telecom | ID Austria now, EUDI Wallet by 24 December 2027 | Telecommunications is named in Article 5f(2)[22] |
| Marketplaces | ID Austria login; qualified signature for contracts | A qualified signature equals a handwritten one, with exceptions[4] |
| Mobility and rentals | ID Austria for identity, a document check for the driving licence | The digital driving licence sits in the eAusweise app; the login attribute list names no driving licence[4][11] |
1Offer ID Austria first
Show it at the top of the Austrian sign-up.
Does the user have ID Austria at the full level
Sign in with ID Austria
Name, date of birth, bPK and the attributes you are accredited for.
Verify with a document
Chip reading, liveness and face match.
2Screen and decide
The onboarding decision stays with you.
Very large online platforms that require a login must also accept EUDI Wallets; the text sets no separate date for them.[22]
People without ID Austria
The minimum age for ID Austria is 14.[5] Foreign nationals can register after an in-person check, but their ID Austria is limited to 3 years, or 5 years with an Austrian main residence, and it cannot be renewed.[5] Migrated Basisfunktion users have no EU-wide recognition until they complete the in-person check.[4] Cross-border customers often hold a notified eID from their own country.[1]
Default route
ID Austria
- Residents aged 14 and over
- High at the full level
- No document photo needed
FM-GwG § 6(4) Z 2
Cross-border
Another EU eID
- Customers from other Member States
- Substantial or high required
- EUDI Wallets from 2026
AMLR Article 22(6)(b)
Fallback
Identity document
- Under 14, non-residents, Basisfunktion
- Chip reading, liveness, face match
- Justify why eID was not used
AMLR Article 22(6)(a)
Under AMLA's final draft standards, eID means at substantial or high qualify whether notified or not, EUDI Wallets included, and a document check needs a justification.[24] See the eID schemes by country and the German eID guide.
Launch checklist for eID Austria
- Register as a service provider through IDA-SPR in the business service portal (USP).[14]
- List the attributes you need and start accreditation for the restricted ones.[11]
- Pick OIDC with the authorization code flow, or SAML2.[12][14]
- Check the ID Austria level on each login where you need EU-level High.[4][11]
- Write down your legal basis: FM-GwG § 6(4) Z 2 now, AMLR Article 22(6) from 10 July 2027.[15][21]
- Keep a document route for users without ID Austria.
- Store the bPK, the level and the timestamp as evidence.
- Warn users about renewal phishing in your help pages.[18]
- Plan EUDI Wallet acceptance by 24 December 2027 if Article 5f(2) applies to you.[22]
The step-by-step setup is in the ID Austria integration guide.
How Didit helps with eID verification in Austria
Didit adds ID Austria on request. What works in Austria today is the document route: NFC chip reading ($0.15) of the passport or ID card, liveness and face match, with a full KYC (Know Your Customer) check at $0.33 and AML screening at $0.20, in one workflow.
For customers from other countries, Didit runs five national eIDs live today: MitID, BankID Sweden, Finnish Trust Network, Smart-ID and Mobile-ID, each next to the document route. EUDI Wallet acceptance is coming soon. Setup is in the national eID docs.
Didit provides
- Document checks with NFC chip reading, liveness and face match
- AML screening against sanctions, PEP and watchlists
- The evidence of every check
Stays with you
- The risk assessment and the AML policies
- The onboarding decision
- Which eIDs and routes to accept
Bring ID Austria to your Austrian sign-up
Tell us where your users sign in, and start with the document route today.
Key takeaways
- ID Austria is the only national eID in Austria, notified at level High on 27 April 2022.
- Only the full form (Vollfunktion) carries EU-wide recognition.
- FM-GwG § 6(4) Z 2 accepts an electronic ID for remote customers; AMLR Article 22(6) follows from 10 July 2027.
- Keep a document route for people under 14, non-residents and Basisfunktion users.
Frequently asked questions
Is ID Austria the same as Handy-Signatur?
ID Austria replaced Handy-Signatur on 5 December 2023.[6] Migrated accounts stay in the basic form (Basisfunktion), without EU-wide recognition, until an in-person check.[4]
Can an Austrian bank onboard a customer remotely with ID Austria?
Yes. FM-GwG § 6(4) Z 2 accepts a procedure provided by law that securely delivers the same information as an official photo ID, an electronic ID, for customers who are not physically present.[15] From 10 July 2027, AMLR Article 22(6)(b) also accepts eID means at level substantial or high.[21]
What data does a business receive from ID Austria?
By default, first name, family name, date of birth and a sector-specific identifier (bPK),[11] Address, nationality, photo and age flags need the full level and, for private providers, an accreditation. No raw national number is shared.[2]
Is ID Austria recognised across the EU?
Yes, at the full level. ID Austria was notified under eIDAS at level of assurance High on 27 April 2022.[1] The basic form held by migrated Handy-Signatur users has no EU-wide recognition.[4]
Can ID Austria prove age without sharing the date of birth?
Yes. Offline, the digital age proof in the eAusweise app shows the checker only the photo, the last update time and whether 14, 16, 18 or 21 is reached.[16] Online, a service provider can request the attributes age_over_14 to age_over_21 at the full level.[11]
What is the minimum age for ID Austria?
14 years.[5] Younger customers need another route.
Can foreign residents get ID Austria?
Yes, after an identity check in person at an authority.[4] For foreign nationals it is limited to 3 years, or 5 years with an Austrian main residence, and it cannot be renewed: the user registers again.[5]
Does ID Austria need a smartphone?
No. The second factor can be the ID Austria app or a FIDO security key, next to the signature password.[19] Biometrics are not required, and text-message codes are no longer accepted for the full level.[5][4]
How does a private company connect to ID Austria?
It registers through the ID Austria Service Provider Registration (IDA-SPR) in the business service portal (USP) and connects with SAML2 or OIDC.[14] OIDC uses only the authorization code flow.[12] No public fee for private service providers was found as of 5 October 2026.
When will Austria have an EUDI Wallet?
No date is published as of 5 October 2026. Every Member State must provide at least one EUDI Wallet by 24 December 2026, and regulated private businesses must accept it at the user's request by 24 December 2027, with micro and small enterprises exempt.[22]
Sources
- Overview of pre-notified and notified eID schemes under eIDAS, European Commission, read 5 October 2026.
- E-Government-Gesetz § 4, RIS, Federal Legal Information System.
- ID Austria, official site, English home page.
- Funktionsumfang der ID Austria, ID Austria help, Vollfunktion and Basisfunktion.
- Generelle Informationen, ID Austria help, age, validity and biometrics.
- Handy-Signatur umstellen, ID Austria help.
- Handy-Signatur und ID Austria, Onlinesicherheit, 19 May 2022.
- 6.3 Millionen ausgestellte ID Austria, government press release, OTS, 8 September 2026.
- ID Austria goes Wirtschaft, Federal Chancellery, 17 March 2026.
- ID Austria knackt 4-Millionen-Marke, Federal Chancellery, 5 August 2025.
- Personenmerkmale, ID Austria developer documentation.
- Anbindung mit OpenID Connect, ID Austria developer documentation.
- Informationen für Service Provider, ID Austria.
- ID Austria für die Wirtschaft, Digital Austria.
- Finanzmarkt-Geldwäschegesetz (FM-GwG) § 6, RIS.
- Digitaler Altersnachweis, häufige Fragen, ID Austria help for eAusweise.
- Digitaler Altersnachweis, Onlinesicherheit, 6 March 2024.
- Warnung vor Betrug mit der ID Austria, Federal Criminal Police Office, 7 April 2026.
- Phishing notice, A-Trust, 7 November 2025.
- Digital assistant in ID Austria from summer 2026, Federal Chancellery, June 2026.
- Regulation (EU) 2024/1624 (AMLR), EUR-Lex, Articles 22(6) and 90.
- Regulation (EU) 2024/1183 (eIDAS 2), EUR-Lex, Articles 5a and 5f.
- Guidelines on the protection of minors under Article 28 DSA (C/2025/5519), EUR-Lex.
- Final Report, draft RTS under Article 28(1) AMLR, AMLA, 30 September 2026.
- Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1731, EUR-Lex, portrait in the PID from 11 August 2028.
Compare ID Austria with every other national eID on the eID verification page.
One workflow for your Austrian and EU customers
Start with the document route, add the eIDs your users already have, and keep evidence of every check.
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