For Citizens
Nowadays digital processes are common in nearly all areas of life. They are transforming our ways to communicate, our working life, the education system, business and economy, industry and public administration.
The Austrian government is proactively accompanying this digital transformation and focusing its priorities so that Austrians get the best possible benefits from it.
Special attention is paid to digital education. That part of Austria's population that so far has not been using the internet should be encouraged to acquire digital skills. Digital literacy is therefore a must on the way in the future.
There are some developments of importance for the citizens, e.g. the electronic delivery. The e-delivery is your secure and central mailbox for electronic documents. Other important topics include the protection of one's own personal data and care when the world wide web. Please read more at data protection and cybersecurity.
Labour market
Concerns about digitalisation and job security need to be taken seriously. However, digitalisation creates jobs above all. One of the largest e-commerce companies in the travel industry today provides jobs to more than 15,000 people worldwide.
However, some of the job profiles need, to some extent, be better adapted to today's requirements. The first step towards this is already done. Specialists in IT, telecommunications and digitalisation are particularly in focus: Every job in the IT sector creates in addition three other jobs.
Digital literacy
In addition to technical skills, digital education also means being able to use digital media in a competent and reflective manner and this is a key qualification for participation in modern society. Dealing consciously and responsibly with data and critically evaluating sources of information is one of today's cultural requirement such as reading, writing and arithmetic. Check out your digital skills with the "Check"
Digital literacy is therefore a must for the future. However, 40 percent of people in the EU have no or little digital education - the result: every second person finds it difficult to get employment. These facts must be counteracted. Target-group support for entry into the digital age should help to overcome inhibitions.
fit4internet - planned offers for digital "general education"
- fit4internet for children/teenagers: media literacy and critical use
- fit4internet employed: acquire basic digital skills - with emphasis on occupational application
- fit4internet for older citizens, people returning to work after a career-break: digitalisation entry-level basic training
Digital Competence Framework for Austria - DigComp 2.2 AT
Digital basic education for all citizens combines general and vocational education. The establishment of the Digital Competence Framework for Austria Dig Comp 2.2 AT (PDF, 762 KB) (accessible) in the context of digital literacy is a complex project involving schools, open youth work and adult education.
From eGovernment to mGovernment
The market penetration of smartphones in Austria amounts to 94 percent. It is therefore a logical consequence to offer as many e-Government services as safely possible for mobile devices: e(lectronic)-Government becomes "m(obile)-Government".
oesterreich.gv.at and the App "Digitales Amt"
On the online platform "oesterreich.gv.at" citizens can access official channels digitally at any time and from any place. A comprehensive full text search across the portals the business service portal, ris.bka.gv.at and data.gv.at enables people to retrieve information about official matters centrally on their desktops or mobile devices. The content of the service help.gv.at was integrated completely into oesterreich.gv.at.
In addition, the entire services from oesterreich.gv.at can be optimally adapted to smartphones and tablets with the App "Digitales Amt". The App can be downloaded free-of-charge from the app stores. It includes access to current and future digital services offered by government authorities. The services can be used via mobile phone signature (FaceID and TouchID). Key administrative procedures have been identified based on the most common life situations, they are / will be offered digitally on the platform and via App. A chatbot provides assistance on a number of topics, the service will be expanded continuously. Due to a new, modern content management system along with the preparation for the next level of electronic high-level security and the electronic proof of identity (eID), the platform is well prepared for the future.
Mobile Phone Signature
In order to provide digital official channels safely and comprehensibly, authorities must be able to determine the identity of the applicant without any doubt. This requires an electronic tool that clearly identifies citizens and business people. This electronic ID is called the "Citizen Card". In addition to the ID function, the Citizen Card also offers the possibility of signing documents simply and securely electronically.
There are currently two versions of the "Citizen Card" available:
- on the mobile phone, the mobile phone signature or Handy-Signatur;
- signature cards such as the e-card
Information: Expiring the e-Card as a citizen card
The new generation of the e-Card can no longer be activated as a citizen card. This applies to all e-cards issued from 1 October 2019 (in addition to the issue date, you can recognise the new e-cards by the fact that it usually includes your photo). e-cards already activated as a citizen card remain valid until the signature certificate expires or revokes or until the card is replaced.
Applications can be made around the clock, regardless of office hours. This increases the convenience for citizens and businesses. Since the data in the office can be processed electronically, the duration of the procedure can be significantly reduced, and thus reflects the service concept in the administration.
The Mobile Phone Signature and the chip card-based Citizen Card are comparable to an electronic ID card. In this sense, a pass is a concept that can have different characteristics, such as a passport, driver's licence, student ID card or membership card.
The Handy-Signatur app
A separate app is a convenient way to use the Handy-Signatur.
In the process, the TAN is not sent by SMS but to a previously installed app. Another possibility is the "speed-sign" function in the app. With this function, the triggering of the signature is done by scanning a QR code and this replaces the manual entry of a TAN.
The use of the Handy-Signatur via app is supported automatically by all services that use the Mobile Phone Signature.
Additional Information