Introduction to the topic of Digitalisation in Austria

A brief overview of strategies, important terms and core elements of e-government and digital rankings

The aim is to make things simpler, better, more efficient and faster through intelligent digitalisation. However, digitalisation is more than just new algorithms, codes and machines. People are shaping the digital future with their commitment, creativity and ability to cooperate. Austria wants to and will make targeted use of digitalisation to further expand its competitiveness, innovative strength, prosperity, climate protection, health and cultural mediation - across all departments with business, science and society.

Strategies

With appropriate strategies for Austria, action plans for a gradual implementation and a national coordination or bundling of all IT forces, the digital transformation in Austria will continue on its current path:

Digital Austria Action Plan

Digitalisation is not a sure-fire success. A clear plan is needed for a successful and sustainable upturn through smart strategic transformation: the Digital Austria Action Plan (in German: Digitaler Aktionsplan Austria).

Digital Austria Act

The Digital Austria Act is the federal government's digital work programme. 117 measures and 36 digitalisation principles are intended to ensure that all members of the federal government work together towards the same goal.

Digital Competence Initiative for Austria

The Digital Competence Initiative for Austria (DKO) bundles the quality-assured teaching of basic digital skills in the population and various fields of action. The Federal Chancellery (previously Federal Ministry of Finance) also implements the youth goal of developing and expanding digital skills as part of the Austrian Youth Strategy.

Artificial Intelligence Mission Austria (AIM AT) 2030

Based on the EU's Coordinated Action Plan on AI, the Artificial Intelligence Mission Austria (AIM AT) 2030 defines the basic principles required for trustworthy AI.

Broadband Austria 2030 initiative

An efficient communication infrastructure is one of the most important foundations for successful digitalisation. The federal government therefore aims to provide nationwide coverage with fixed and mobile gigabit connections by 2030. The Broadband Austria 2030 initiative, based on the Broadband Strategy 2030, contributes to equal digital opportunities between urban and rural areas with targeted funding instruments.

E-Government Strategy 

Austria is a European leader in e-government: many years of intensive cooperation between the federal government, provinces, cities and municipalities are pursuing the goal of establishing a standardised, networked and coordinated approach with the E-Government Strategy.

E-Government

The aim of e-government is to make all administrative procedures possible digitally. In the digitalisation of administrative services, Austria has benefited from early decisions, a consistent E-Government Strategy and forward-looking planning and coordination since the early 2000s. The digitally networked services of the authorities are now also offered on mobile devices via websites or apps.

E-Gov A-Z – Digital Austria

Find out more about the most important terms and developments relating to e-government in "E-Gov A-Z – Digital Austria". This comprehensive online reference work outlines the past, present and future of e-government in Austria and describes the most important national and international strategies.

Modern, secure and digital identification with ID Austria

One of the core elements of e-government in Austria has always been the unique digital identification and authentication through the ID Austria (formerly the citizen card or mobile phone signature). It can be used to digitally sign applications and contracts that would otherwise require a handwritten signature.

Find out about this national electronic proof of identity, how to obtain it and what you can use it for at ID Austria (oesterreich.gv.at). 

Electronic identity (eID) of other EU member states

One of the aims of the European eIDAS Regulation is to enable national electronic identities (eIDs) to be used for online applications in other EU member states. It thus regulates the cross-national acceptance of certain high-quality eIDs.

Austria in international digital comparison

In the digital rankings Digital Economy und Society Index (DESI), eGovernement Benchmark and eGovernement Monitor, Austria made targeted progress in important areas during the reporting period.