Austria is making it simpler for foreigners to register photos for their e-cards by extending services to municipal offices.
As the Austrian Ministry of Interior explains, a total of 137 municipal offices throughout Austria will be authorised to carry out photo registrations for e-cards from September 2, 2024.
Of these municipalities, 109 of them will be authorised to register foreigners, significantly easing the process for many foreigners residing in the country, Schengen.News reports.
The municipalities are service facilities for the people of Austria. The possibility of taking photos for the e-card at municipal offices is a further step in this direction.
Until now, foreigners applying for an Austrian e-card had to travel to the state police directorates or the Federal Office for Immigration and Asylum to have their photos registered within the document.
The new service will not permit foreigners residing in the country, as well as Austrian nationals, to have their e-card photos taken and processed at the nearest municipal office without having to visit the police headquarters of the Federal Office for immigration and asylum in the state capital.
The Initiative Will Significantly Benefit Those Who Have to Travel Long Distances
This move will significantly make a difference for those who have to travel long distances just to complete this procedure.
The possibility of uploading photos for the e-card directly to the municipal offices and having them officially confirmed shortens the distances for the population. For example, a 24-hour carer from Romania can now go to the nearest municipal office for photo registration.
Expressing enthusiasm about the new initiative, the Association of Municipalities President Johannes Pressl said that this is an important service, especially for those who have to travel long distances just to complete this process.
Pressl further said that the authorities are working on offering this service to additional municipalities in the future.
An important service, especially for those who would otherwise have to travel long distances. Austrian municipalities are happy to be partners when it comes to providing more service for citizens. We look forward to even more municipalities offering the e-card service in the future.
Since 2020, Austria has been providing e-cards with a photo of the holder. However, the process of acquiring these photos did not properly accommodate the needs of foreigners residing in the country. For this reason, Austria decided to make these changes.