For companies

Digitalisation is a major empowering factor for the economy as a whole. Without digitalisation, the economy would come to a standstill. A business that does not offer a highly performing digital infrastructure will be left behind.

The primary goal is to improve existing framework conditions in order to foster digital innovation and technology transfer.

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".

Digitalisation opens up great opportunities for businesses. The Federal Ministry encourages the removal of unnecessary barriers by reducing the proliferation of information obligations for entrepreneurs and greatly simplify their implementation. Economic data that need to be notified must be reported based on the "Once-Only Principle". 

What is the “Once-Only” principle?
It means that citizens and businesses supply data only once to a public administration. Public administrations take actions to internally share these data - also across borders - , so that no additional burden falls on citizens and businesses. The application of this principle needs to be in compliance with the EU data protection legislation. Implementing the “Once-Only” principle across borders contributes towards the efficiency of the Digital Single Market in Europe. Businesses will benefit from the solutions developed by TOOP. The key words are: time-savings, lowering administrative burden and reducing costs for businesses, fulfilling legal obligations faster. The shared data between public administrations remain under the control and the consent of the businesses involved. Administrations will benefit through improved service quality and administrative efficiency.

Another priority is the inclusion of SMEs in the digital network, to support SMEs and start-ups (WKO, in German). These enterprises need to be supported in the electronic monitoring of their production processes as well as in using the internet for e-commerce purposes. In addition to offerings and solutions, optimal conditions must be created for innovations.

Science & Economics

In order to become an innovation leader, potentials must be identified and used appropriotely. The best in science should be merged with the best companies. Excellence and internationality are crucial to exploit previously unused opportunities and become interesting for investors in the long term.

By establishing networks in specific industries or technologies, consisting of a few to many members, synergies can be achieved through joint focus of increased research, export or marketing activities that a single company can not achieve. A better positioning of Austrian companies and their products and services in the market also promotes Austria globally as a business location. The national cluster platform lists around 64 cluster initiatives with 7,000 participating companies and research institutions and over 800,000 employees (number has double counts when companies are active in multiple clusters). To further support our business location, contributions will come from co-operations and model developments with other ministries.

The work environment is being changed by digitalisation. As a consequence, it becomes necessary to adapt professional training programmes. Digital methods such as smartphone apps, online lectures or webinars are playing an increasingly important role. Blended learning - the interweaving of face-to-face teaching with e-learning elements - is also increasingly being integrated into the course design, where it contributes to quality improvement. Digital content enriches social interaction between learners and teachers.

Broadband expansion

With the "Digital Offensive", the Austrian Federal Government is pushing ahead with the competitive and technology-neutral expansion of nationwide broadband high-performance infrastructures based on the objectives of the "Broadband Strategy 2020", which is funded by some ministries.

From eGovernment to mGovernment

The market penetration of smartphones in Austria amounts to a high percent. It is therefore a logical consequence to offer as many e-Government services as safely possible for mobile devices.

Business Service Portal ("Unternehmensserviceportal" or USP.gv.at)

For entrepreneurs all necessary official channels are available electronically. Business registration, tax office registration, insurance registration with the SVA and the declaration according to the New Business Support Foundation Act can be initiated on usp.gv.at and electronically signed by ID Austria. For single-person limited liability companies, the registration in the commercial register is offered additionally. All reports are submitted electronically to the respective procedures of the authorities, which also makes the processing faster, easier and cheaper.

First of all, new services for companies are implemented and no-stop or one-stop shops are created. These, should reduce the number of necessary government contacts to a minimum. Further simplification will be provided by the "Once-Only Principle", whereby documents and information will only have to be submitted to the authority upon initial contact. Afterwards, the administration will have access to the necessary data, already available in the registers, for all other administrative procedures.

The electronic establishment of a sole proprietorship has been possible since 31 July 2017. Since 1 January 2018, single-person limited liability companies, including company registrations, can also be launched via the Business Service Portal (USP).

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 Business Service Portal (USP.gv.at)Legal Information System (Rechtsinformationssystem des Bundes or RIS.bka.gv.at) and the open government data platform data.gv.at (in German) enables people to retrieve information about official matters centrally from their desktops or mobile devices. The content of the service help.gv.at was integrated completely into oesterreich.gv.at. Once you have signed in at oesterreich.gv.at, you can access many other administrative services via Single Sign-On, such as the business service portal or FinanzOnline.

In addition, the entire services from oesterreich.gv.at can be perfectly 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 ID Austria (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 the 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.