The blocking of the e-card affects those who are insured in Austria or were insured last year, but who do not have a photo in the inventory of the passport or driving license authorities or the immigration register for the issue of an e-card by the end of the year with photo is available. Nationwide, 90,000 insured people are currently affected. But since you can submit a photo later, the number of those affected is constantly decreasing, according to the Ministry of Health. With the Photo instant check you can check whether a photo is officially available.
What to do if there is no photo
If there is no photo and you do not submit a photo yourself, the e-card will be blocked on January 15, 2024, as can be seen from a response to the FPÖ query. Children under the age of 14 are exempt from the photo requirement on the e-card; people aged 70 and over or in care levels four to seven are also not at risk of being blocked.
In order to submit a photo themselves, those affected must make an appointment in advance at one of the registration offices – you can find one here List of positions in Lower Austria and further information about what documents are required.
However, insurance status remains valid
The Ministry of Health emphasized that it will still be possible to use services without any problems after January 15th. Insured persons whose cards have been “blocked” are informed personally when necessary during visits to the doctor or when contacting the social security office. If affected people go to the doctor after January 15th, they should be informed that they must register a photo within 150 days.
In response to questions from journalists on the sidelines of a press conference, Wurzer explained that only a very small group of insured people was affected. The insurance status will remain the same, he emphasized. Those affected would be informed, and if they went to the doctor, it would also be guaranteed that they could submit a photo within the deadline.
