Two million new Austrian passports issued – Interior Minister praises security level

Security features: Passport photo, QR code, and quantum security

According to the information, a key security feature is the passport photo: the holder's face is depicted a total of eight times in the document. In addition, the passport contains a cryptographically encrypted QR code in which identity data and the passport photo are stored. According to Lackner and Karner, this QR code is "quantum-safe," meaning it is designed to withstand future threats from quantum computers.

The Austrian State Printing House is responsible for issuing the document. According to Lackner, the issuance takes about five working days for a normal order. "With a normal order, the new passport arrives within five working days," he said. Travelers should check in good time before their trip whether their passport is still valid and meets the entry requirements of their destination country, the Director General recommended.

Award by the KSÖ

In October of last year, the passport also received a security award from the Competence Centre Safe Austria (KSÖ) in the category "Special achievements for digital security." From the perspective of the Ministry of the Interior, the award underscores the digital component of the document.

Recommendation from the State Printing House

Since its introduction about two and a half years ago, a total of two million passports in the new design have been issued in Austria. Karner, who belongs to the ÖVP, sees this as confirmation of both acceptance by citizens and the effectiveness of the technical security measures. The State Printing House recommends checking the validity of one's own passport early and applying for a new one in good time if necessary.