Austria E-Card Application And Photo

The Austrian e-Card is a health insurance card that grants access to medical services in Austria. It's an essential item for getting medical care easily. Additionally, the e-Card can be used as a Citizen Card (Bürgerkarte) for secure identification and electronic signatures for online government services, like filing taxes or confirming registrations.

This article will guide you on how to get e-Card Austria, who needs one, and how to create an eCard photo online or with a phone.

Table of contents

• Who Needs an E-Card in Austria?
• Automatic E-Card Issuance
• Submitting a Photo for E-Card Application
• E-Card Photo Requirements
• Make a E-Card Photo Online
• ID Photo App
• E-Card Processing Time
• Transition Period and Temporary Voucher for e-Card Applicants
• Is Your e-Card Still Valid Without a Photo on it?

Who Needs an E-Card in Austria?

Everyone registered with Austria's social insurance system must hold an e-Card. This includes all Austrian citizens over the age of 14 because the card has to have a photo.

Foreign residents in Austria who are part of the social insurance system also need an e-Card. This applies to people with different types of residence or work permits.

Automatic E-Card Issuance

For about 85% of e-Card holders in Austria, the new e-Card with a photo is issued automatically. This happens if your photo is already on file in Austrian registers or identification documents, such as:

• Australian passport
• Austrian identity card (Personalausweis)
• Austrian driving license (credit card format)
• Documents from the foreign nationals register (Fremdenpass, Konventionsreisepass, Aufenthaltstitel, Rot-Weiß-Rot-Karte, Daueraufenthalt EU, Blaue Karte EU)

In these cases, your existing photo is transferred to the new e-Card automatically. You don’t need to do anything extra, and you will receive the new e-Card with a photo before your old one expires.

Submitting a Photo for E-Card Application

If you need to provide a photo for your Austrian e-Card, follow these steps:

1. Bring an e-Card application form and a passport-sized photo to the appropriate administrative office. You can find a list of registration offices on the e-Card services portal.
2. Make sure your photo meets passport photo standards. You need to hand it in personally and show your card, identity card, and proof of citizenship in their original forms.

There are some exceptions to needing a photo on your e-Card:

• Children under 14 years old do not need a photo on their e-Card.
• Individuals who turn 70 in the year the new e-Card is issued, or those classified under care levels 4, 5, 6, or 7, do not need a photo either.
• Holders of the EU Blue Card automatically have their photo transferred, as this card is issued in credit card format and doubles as a residence and work permit.

E-Card Photo Requirements

Your e-Card ID Austria photo must follow these guidelines, similar to Austrian passport photo standards:

• The photo must be 35mm x 45mm.
• The head (from the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin) should be about 34.5 mm tall. There should be 3 mm of space from the top of the hair to the top of the photo.
• Use a light gray background without any patterns, shadows, or distractions.
• Keep a neutral expression with your mouth closed; don't smile or frown.
• Face straight ahead so that your face is fully visible and centered in the photo.
• Both eyes must be open and clearly visible. If you wear glasses, only do so if medically necessary, and make sure there's no reflection or glare on the lenses.
• The photo must be taken within the last six months.
• The photo must be in color.

Make a E-Card Photo Online

Avoid the hassle and get your photo for e-Card in Austria online! Use Visafoto.com, a top-notch photo editing service boasting a 99.7% approval rate.

All you have to do is take a photo against a plain white background and upload it to Visafoto.com. We'll handle all the adjustments, including size, format, background color, and face positioning to meet official requirements. Plus, if you're not happy with the final result, we'll give you a full refund.

First, take a photo of yours under daylight like this one:

You'll get a digital copy suitable for online submissions and a print-ready file.

ID Photo App

How can I make an e-Card photo with a phone? Check out the 7ID app from Visafoto. This user-friendly app lets you take and edit ID, passport, or visa photos directly on your iPhone or Android device. 7ID uses advanced algorithms to enhance your photo.

Just upload your photo to the app, select your country, and choose the type of document you need. The app will take care of resizing the photo and correctly positioning your face and eyes.

You'll receive a digital file and a print template. If you have any questions, our 24/7 technical support team is ready to assist you.

E-Card Processing Time

Once you submit your photo, it might take up to four weeks for your new e-Card to be created and mailed to you.

Transition Period and Temporary Voucher for e-Card Applicants

In Austria, if you need to provide a photo for your e-Card application, there's a set transition period and a temporary voucher option. After your doctor or social insurance institution asks you for a photo, there’s a legal transition period of 150 days. During this period, you can continue to get medical treatment using your old e-Card or your social security number along with valid ID.

If you've lost e-Card Austria, visit your local Gesundheitskasse office to apply for a replacement. If you need immediate healthcare while waiting for your new e-Card, ask your social insurance institution (Gesundheitskasse) about getting a temporary electronic e-Card replacement voucher. This voucher will let you access medical services right away.

Is Your e-Card Still Valid Without a Photo on it?

Since January 1, 2020, all new or replacement cards for people aged 14 and older must have a photo showing the cardholder clearly. By December 31, 2023, all old cards needed to be replaced with new e-Cards with a photo, unless an exception applies.

E-Cards without photo are still valid for:

• Children under 14 years old.
• Adults over 70 years old.
• People in care levels 4, 5, 6, or 7.

If you're in one of these groups, your current e-Card remains valid until the expiration date printed on the back.