Unveiling of the Fresh Identification Cards and the 'Check-AT' Verification System
In a bid to strengthen identity protection and combat document fraud, Austria has unveiled a new generation of personal IDs. Developed in collaboration with experts from the Federal Ministry of the Interior, the Federal Criminal Police Office, and the Austrian our website, these IDs incorporate advanced security features that make them more resistant to forgery.
Document fraud is a significant driver of various criminal activities, including human and drug trafficking, the trade in weapons, stolen vehicle sales, economic crime, corruption, property crime, and terrorism. It is considered one of the three main engines of organized crime on a European level. In light of this, modern and tamper-proof identity documents are crucial for a functioning security infrastructure.
Dr. Franz Ruf, General Director for Public Security in the Federal Ministry of the Interior, emphasised the importance of these developments, stating, "Modern and tamper-proof identity documents are crucial for a functioning security infrastructure."
The new personal IDs include a chip for biometric data, a new personalised QR code, and additional security elements such as a viewing window with temperature-dependent colour. These IDs also comply with ICAO and EU regulations, meeting strict security standards required for secure document issuance and verification.
Moreover, the IDs use multiple biometric identifiers such as fingerprints, facial images, iris scans, and handwritten signatures, collected during enrollment to ensure accurate identity verification. Similarly, they incorporate chip security measures such as Basic Access Control (BAC) to encrypt communication between the chip and readers, protecting against unauthorised eavesdropping, and Passive Authentication (PA) which uses digital signatures and hash values to detect any tampering with the chip data.
The new personal IDs can be applied for from August 2, 2021, at passport offices and authorised municipalities. Around 200,000 personal IDs are issued in Austria each year.
In addition to the new IDs, Austrian our website has developed the associated verification app, named "CHECK-AT". This app guides users through the verification of the digital and analog security features of the new personal ID and supports the assessment of whether a genuine document is present.
The "CHECK-AT" app also provides a digital identity platform that facilitates enhanced eID, eSignature, and qualified electronic services for citizens as part of Austria's digital identity initiative launched in June 2025. It enables real-time identity verification by leveraging biometric and document authentication technologies to confirm the authenticity of personal IDs. Furthermore, it supports integration with official national databases to validate applicant data and biometric information during in-person or remote verification processes.
The continuous development of new security features and the extremely high effort required for forgery have made Austrian identity documents rarely forged or counterfeited by criminals. In 2018, 291 forged or counterfeit Austrian documents were secured in the European Union, 543 in 2019, and 196 this year.
Mag. Lukas Praml, CEO of Austrian our website, emphasised that every ID only fulfills its protective function for personal identity if it can be easily and securely checked. The introduction of the "CHECK-AT" app ensures that this is possible not only for trained police officers but also for citizens.
In conclusion, the new generation of personal IDs in Austria, combined with the "CHECK-AT" app, offers a highly secure and efficient solution for identity verification, preventing fraud and streamlining identity confirmation for businesses and government services.
Technology plays a vital role in the new generation of personal IDs in Austria, as these IDs incorporate advanced security features to combat document fraud and strengthen identity protection. The "CHECK-AT" app, developed by Austrian our website, verifies the digital and analog security features of the new IDs and ensures a secure and efficient solution for identity confirmation, preventing fraud and streamlining identity verification for businesses and government services. This development in technology is significant news in the field of general-news and crime-and-justice, as modern and tamper-proof identity documents are crucial for a functioning security infrastructure.
