Austrian e-card: How to Apply and Book an Appointment Online

The Austrian e-card works similarly to a social insurance card. It is an important document when visiting doctors, hospitals and pharmacies because it helps identify you and provides access to electronic healthcare services. Doctors in Austria use the e-card to access patient information.

The card can quickly and securely confirm your insurance status and your entitlement to receive medication. In some hospitals, card readers also help patients find the correct department and room. By inserting the card, you may be shown where a particular specialist department is located, while coloured lines on the floor can guide you through the building.

You can also use your ID-Austria login on the ELGA portal to view medicines prescribed by a doctor, their dosage and previous medical results.

How is the Austrian e-card issued?

Your employer registers you with social insurance after you start working. The employer also informs you of your social insurance number. However, if you do not have an Austrian passport, Austrian identity card or Austrian driving licence, and you are not yet listed in the immigration register (Fremdregister), you must personally complete the steps needed to produce your e-card.

Since 1 January 2020, the e-card has also functioned as a photo ID, except for children under 14, people over 70 and some people in specific care classifications. The first step is therefore to have your photograph entered in the required register, the Fremdregister.

Your social insurance number can be requested before the e-card has been produced. With this special identification number and a photo ID, you can already receive necessary healthcare without the e-card. However, you must apply for the e-card within a short period. A doctor may also remind you about this when you visit the surgery.

Who needs to arrange photo registration?

You need to complete the process yourself if you do not have one of the following:

• an Austrian passport;
• an Austrian identity card;
• an Austrian driving licence; or
• an entry in the immigration register (Fremdregister).

How to book the e-card appointment online

1. Prepare your photograph

The photograph must meet the requirements for an identity document:

• 35 mm wide and 45 mm high;
• in colour; and
• not more than six months old.

2. Open the appointment-booking page

If you do not have Austrian citizenship, book an appointment online for the photo e-card process through the e-card appointment page.

The website is straightforward, but you need a basic knowledge of German. Start by selecting “Ich habe Keine österreiche Staatsbürgerschaft”, meaning “I do not have Austrian citizenship”.

3. Select your federal province

After selecting the non-Austrian citizenship option, choose the federal province where you live. The example in the original process uses Steiermark.

4. Select the responsible authority

The next page lists the towns where you can attend in person for the e-card procedure. In Steiermark, the available options are Graz, Leoben and Liezen. The contact details of the authorities are also shown further down the page.

To book electronically, select “elektronische Terminvereinbarung”.

5. Choose the language

The booking process can continue in German or English. To proceed in German, select “Weiter mit Deutsch”, meaning “Continue in German”.

6. Select the province again

On the following page, use the “Bitte auswählen” drop-down menu, meaning “Please select”, and enter the federal province where you live. In the example, Steiermark is selected again.

7. Select the appointment location

After the province is entered, the “Ecard-Fotoerfassung” procedure is added automatically. Select the town and authority where you want to attend in person. You do not need to select “Bereits gebuchten…”, because the rest of the form appears automatically.

8. Enter your personal details

The form asks for:

• your social insurance number (Sozialversicherungsnummer);
• a valid email address for the confirmation;
• the number of people attending the appointment; and
• some personal details.

Practical steps

1. Confirm that your employer has registered you with social insurance and ask for your social insurance number.
2. Prepare a recent colour identity photograph measuring 35 mm by 45 mm. It must not be more than six months old.
3. Check whether your photograph is already listed in the Fremdregister. If it is not, use the online e-card appointment page.
4. Select “Ich habe Keine österreiche Staatsbürgerschaft”, your federal province and the responsible authority.
5. Choose “elektronische Terminvereinbarung”, select German or English, and continue with the booking form.
6. Select “Ecard-Fotoerfassung”, enter your personal details and social insurance number, and wait for the confirmation at the email address you provided.