Since its introduction in October 2022, Austria’s mobile document platform “eAusweise” has been continuously expanded. Following the launch of the mobile driver’s license (mDL), the digital vehicle registration certificate, digital age verification, and digital identity verification have been added to the respective iOS and Android app. The functional scope has also been continuously extended: today, the digital vehicle registration certificate can be easily shared fully digital with family, friends or colleagues. At the same time, fully digital roadside checks by the police are possible in Austria – the mobile driver’s license and digital vehicle registration certificate can be conveniently displayed together in a single QR code.

Ongoing Interest in Digital ID in Austria

The mobile documents are a prime example of the high interest in modern digital ID solutions in Austria. With the central coordination of the Austrian Federal Computing Centre (BRZ GmbH), mobile ID documents have been available to all Austrian citizens since 2022. Since their introduction, numerous mobile documents have been issued, including over 800,000 mobile driver’s licenses, as well as numerous digital vehicle registration certificates, age verifications, and digital ID verifications. This makes Austria a model country in terms of modern mobile documents.

EU: Austria the Only Country with Compatible Mobile Driver’s License

Austria has now received special recognition from the EU. The Austrian mobile driver’s license, provided by the BRZ on behalf of the Republic of Austria, is the only EU-wide mobile driver’s license developed according to the internationally recognized ISO standard (ISO/IEC 18013-5) and already in operational use. This puts Austria at the forefront of EU mobile driver’s license development, even ahead of digitalization pioneers like Estonia, Latvia, or Denmark.

Particularly noteworthy is the digitally sovereign operation within the Federal Computing Centre (BRZ). Austrias Digitalization State Secretary Mr. Alexander Pröll comments: “I am particularly pleased that the digital driver’s license and the mobile app eAusweise have been so well received. We can be proud of over 2.3 million eAusweise app downloads. This encourages us to continue working on the digitization of identification documents with full force.”

Mobile Driver’s License Meets EU Requirements Ahead of Schedule

The Austrian mobile driver’s license is already largely prepared for the upcoming requirements for the EUDI Wallet (“EU Digital Identity Wallet”). According to EU law, EU member states are required to provide compatible mobile identification documents by 2026. These mobile identification solutions will then be valid throughout the EU. This means that the Austrian mobile driver’s license will also be fully recognized abroad from then on. For example, during a roadside traffic check while on vacation in another EU country, the Austrian mobile driver’s license can be easily read by local police due to its ISO-compliant standardization.

Future-proof Development for Upcoming Requirements

The mobile driver’s license was developed with a focus on future requirements and high user-friendliness from the outset. youniqx Identity AG, a subsidiary of the Austrian State Printing Company (OSD), is responsible for the development of the mobile driver’s license and the other mobile documents within eAusweise. “We are proud to use our internationally recognized experience in digital identity solutions for the Republic of Austria. This helps us make digital identity a reality for millions of citizens,” emphasizes OSD General Director and youniqx CEO Helmut Lackner. youniqx Identity develops the entire eAusweise app on behalf of the Austrian Federal Computing Service, which is responsible for the overall project.

Digital Identification as an Opportunity for Businesses

Austria’s pioneering position in mobile digital identification offers a special opportunity for businesses and the Austrian economy. “Imagine you want to rent a car. Being able to show official state-signed data such as a personal driver’s license simply by scanning a QR code is a game changer. No copies or physical forms are needed,” Lackner highlights the possibilities. At the same time, only absolutely necessary user data will be transmitted to the business partner during this process, requiring full user consent beforehand. Verification of personal data would thus not only protect personal data, but would also be inherently data-minimizing. “Companies have the unique opportunity to find a functional environment with mobile ID documents in operational use in Austria right now. Here, experience for the entire EU market can already be collected, which could be used in all 27 member states and thus for almost 450 million EU citizens from 2026 onwards,” Lackner continues. This represents a potential competitive advantage for companies that aim to invest in the future of digital identification.

Further information can be found on the EU Commission website at https://ec.europa.eu/digital-building-blocks/ as well as at www.youniqx.com.