Reporting a Missing Person in Austria: What You Need to Know

If someone close to you disappears unexpectedly and you fear that they may be in danger, you do not have to wait before reporting the disappearance. This guide explains where to make a report in Austria, what information the police need, what to do if someone goes missing abroad and which legal issues may arise later.

Where can you report a missing person?

You can report a missing person (Abgängigkeitsanzeige, also called Vermisstenanzeige) at a police station (Polizeiinspektion). The responsible station is generally the one covering the missing person’s place of residence or last known place of stay.

If you do not know where the person lived or where they were last staying, you can generally make the report at any police authority (Sicherheitsdienststelle).

The length of time the person has been missing generally does not matter. If you are concerned that something may have happened, contact the police as soon as possible.

What information will the police ask for?

The more information you can provide, the easier the search may be. Useful details include:

• a description of the person, including height, appearance and clothing;
• the most recent photograph available;
• information about friends, work, hobbies and similar details.

For the initial assessment, the police consider the reporting person’s account and the missing person’s age. Until the person is found, the information is recorded in the Austrian wanted-person system (EKIS) and the Schengen Information System (SIS).

When does the police search for the person?

A search (Fahndung) is initiated in the following situations:

1. There is a risk of suicide, an accident or a suspected violent crime.
2. The missing person is vulnerable because of a psychological disability or seriously endangers the life or health of another person.
3. The missing person is a child or minor, even without a separate danger situation, and a legally defined request applies under ABGB 162. § (1) or Außerstreitgesetz 111c. §.

What if someone goes missing abroad?

If someone travelling with you disappears while abroad, contact the nearest police station in that country as soon as possible and make a report there so that local investigations can begin.

If necessary, you can also contact the responsible Austrian embassy. The Austrian Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA) duty service can be reached by telephone:

• BMEIA duty service: +43 50 11 50 4411
• Alternative number available worldwide: +43 1 90115 4411

If you are in Austria and have reasonable grounds to believe that the person is in danger, has become the victim of a crime or faces an acute risk of suicide, contact the nearest Austrian police station. In such a report, Interpol may also be involved.

In the event of a disaster, either in Austria or abroad, the Ministry of the Interior or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will typically establish an information line (Info-Hotline) or publish information through the media about where concerned relatives should turn. If you receive news from the person during such an event, notify the responsible ministry immediately so that their name can be removed from the missing-person list.

What if you have simply lost contact with someone?

If this is not an acute disappearance—for example, relatives have been separated for a long time—you can use tracing services such as the Red Cross tracing service (Suchdienst des Roten Kreuzes). You can also request address information (Meldeauskunft) about the person you are looking for.

What legal issues may arise later?

A missing person is generally presumed to be alive until their death has been registered, established by a court or they have been declared dead (Todeserklärung).

Until then, only an authorised representative or a guardian appointed by the court for an absent person (Abwesenheitskurator) may act on their behalf—for example, in dealing with debts, filing a tax return or accessing bank accounts. Anyone can request the appointment of a guardian directly after the disappearance at the district court (Bezirksgericht) responsible for the person’s last place of residence.

Important points include:

• Rent and utility costs continue to accrue during the disappearance.
• Ongoing court proceedings may continue, so notify the court as soon as possible that one of the parties is missing.
• The general default interest rate for late payment is four percent.
• An employer must treat the missing person as a living employee; termination is only possible after a guardian has been appointed.

When can a person be declared dead?

• Aircraft accident: after 3 months.
• Shipwreck: after 6 months.
• Confirmed danger to life, such as an area affected by a disaster: after 1 year from the end of the danger to life.
• No danger to life: after 10 years from the end of the year in which the person was still alive, or after 5 years if they would have reached the age of 80. This is subject to the condition that the application cannot be made before the end of the year in which the person would have reached the age of 25.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to wait 24 or 48 hours before reporting someone missing?

No. The length of time the person has been missing generally does not matter.

Where can I report the disappearance if I do not know where the person was last staying?

You can generally make the report at any police authority.

What should I do if the missing person is found?

Notify the police authority where you made the report immediately.

Can I access the missing person’s bank account?

Only if you have a bank authorisation or if the court appoints a guardian for an absent person.

Practical steps

1. Contact the responsible Polizeiinspektion immediately; do not wait 24 or 48 hours.
2. Take a recent photograph and prepare the person’s description, clothing details and information about their friends, work and hobbies.
3. If the disappearance occurred abroad, report it first to the nearest police station in that country.
4. Contact the BMEIA duty service or the responsible Austrian embassy if consular assistance is needed.
5. Notify the police immediately if the person returns or makes contact.
6. If legal, financial or employment matters require action, contact the responsible Bezirksgericht about appointing an Abwesenheitskurator.

This information is based on publicly available sources and does not constitute legal advice. For professional advice, contact a lawyer or another suitably qualified professional.

Source: oesterreich.gv.at