How Do I Get a Police Clearance Certificate in Austria in 2026?

Last updated: 11 August 2026

If you need to know how do I get a police clearance certificate in Austria, the answer depends on whether you are inside the country or abroad, and whether you hold a verified digital identity. Austria’s official criminal record extract, the Strafregisterbescheinigung, can be requested online through the ID Austria / EU Login portal, in person at a police directorate or mayor’s office, or via an Austrian consulate overseas. Following the ID Austria platform updates rolled out in January–February 2026, the online application process now uses a streamlined single-sign-on flow and offers fully electronic delivery.

This guide walks through every route step by step, covering costs, realistic processing times, translation and apostille requirements, what appears on the certificate, and what to do if your record is not clean.

What Is a Police Clearance Certificate (Strafregisterbescheinigung)?

A police clearance certificate in Austria is an official extract from the central criminal register (Strafregister) maintained by the Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI). It confirms whether an individual has recorded criminal convictions under Austrian law. The document is sometimes referred to in English as a “criminal record certificate,” a “certificate of good conduct,” or simply a “police report Austria”, though it should not be confused with a police incident report (Anzeige), which is an entirely different document.

Types of Certificates

The Strafregisterauszug Austria system distinguishes between several extract types depending on who is requesting the document and for what purpose:

• Extract for private use (Privatauskunft). Issued directly to the individual for personal information or to present to a prospective employer.
• Extract for authorities (Behördenauskunft). Requested by or submitted to an Austrian public authority, for example, for a trade licence, weapons permit, or adoption proceeding.
• Extract for use abroad. Issued for visa applications, immigration, or foreign employment, typically requires translation and apostille or legalisation.

Key facts:

• Legal basis: the Strafregistergesetz (Criminal Records Act), accessible on the Austrian Legal Information System (RIS).
• Central register keeper: the Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI).
• Not the same as a police report: an Anzeige documents an incident; the Strafregisterbescheinigung summarises convictions.

Who Can Apply and When Do You Need One?

Any person aged 14 or over whose identity can be verified may apply for their own Austrian criminal record certificate. This includes Austrian nationals, EU/EEA citizens with a residence in Austria, and third-country nationals who are or have been registered in Austria. Minors between 14 and 18 may apply with the consent of a legal guardian. Common situations requiring a police clearance certificate austria include:

• Employment background checks (especially in education, healthcare, finance, and security sectors)
• Visa and immigration applications for other countries
• Family reunification in Austria or applications for an Austria residence permit
• Adoption proceedings, weapons permits, and trade licences

Would you know if you had a criminal record? Not necessarily. A conviction by a court, even a conditional sentence or a fine imposed in criminal proceedings, is entered in the register. However, you are not automatically notified when an entry is made. Requesting a Strafregisterauszug is the only reliable way to confirm your record status.

How to Apply for a Police Clearance Certificate in Austria Online (ID Austria / EU Login)

The fastest way to apply for a police clearance certificate online is through Austria’s official government services portal, which requires authentication via ID Austria or, for eligible EU/EEA nationals, EU Login. The 2026 platform updates consolidated the login flow, making it possible to complete the entire process, from application to electronic delivery, without visiting an office.

1. Go to the official application page on oesterreich.gv.at (the criminal record / Strafregister section).
2. Select “Apply for criminal record certificate” and choose the certificate type (private use, for authorities, or for use abroad).
3. Log in with ID Austria using the ID Austria app on your smartphone. If you are an EU/EEA national without an Austrian eID, select the EU Login option and authenticate with your national eID.
4. Verify your pre-filled personal data, name, date of birth, and address are drawn from the central register. Correct any discrepancies before proceeding.
5. State the purpose of the certificate (employment, visa, personal information, etc.).
6. Choose delivery method: electronic (PDF with qualified electronic signature) or postal delivery to your registered address.
7. Pay the applicable fee (if any) via the integrated payment system (online banking or credit/debit card).
8. Submit the application. You will receive a confirmation number and, if you selected electronic delivery, the signed PDF is typically available within a few working days.
9. Download and verify the electronically signed certificate. The qualified electronic signature can be validated through the Austrian signature verification service.

ID Austria / EU Login, What You Need and How to Use It

ID Austria is Austria’s official digital identity system, replacing the earlier Handy-Signatur (mobile phone signature). To register for ID Austria, you need a valid Austrian identity document (passport or ID card) and a smartphone with the ID Austria app. Registration can be completed at a registration office (Registrierungsstelle), typically at municipal offices, certain post offices, or Austrian embassies and consulates abroad.

For EU/EEA nationals, the eIDAS-compatible EU Login framework allows authentication using a recognised national eID from another member state. This means a German, French, or Italian citizen with a notified eID can access the Austrian criminal record application without first registering for ID Austria. If your member state’s eID is not yet notified under eIDAS, or if you are a third-country national without an Austrian eID, you cannot use the online route and must apply in person or through a consulate.

Common troubleshooting: If the ID Austria app fails to authenticate, ensure you have the latest app version, a stable internet connection, and that your certificate has not expired. For persistent issues, contact the ID Austria help desk or visit a registration office in person.

Apply in Person, Police Station, Landespolizeidirektion, or Mayor’s Office

If you cannot use the online route, because you lack an ID Austria registration or a notified EU eID, you can apply for a criminal record certificate Austria appointment at several in-person locations. The competent authorities for in-person applications are:

• Landespolizeidirektion (LPD): the provincial police directorate in each of Austria’s nine federal states.
• District police stations (Polizeiinspektion): local police stations accept applications in many regions.
• Mayor’s office (Gemeindeamt / Magistrat): in municipalities without a police station, the mayor’s office can process your request.

How to Make an Appointment and What to Bring

Some offices accept walk-ins; others require an appointment, particularly in larger cities. Check your local LPD or municipal website for booking options. Bring the following documents:

• Valid photo ID (passport or national identity card)
• Proof of current residential address (e.g., Meldezettel, registration confirmation)
• Any specific forms or reference numbers required by the requesting authority (for authority-use certificates)
• Payment method accepted at the office (cash or card, varies by location)

Criminal Record Certificate Vienna, Where to Go

In Vienna, the primary location for in-person applications is the Landespolizeidirektion Wien, which operates a dedicated Strafregister service counter. Certain district police commissariats (Polizeikommissariate) in Vienna also process requests. The LPD Wien website on polizei.gv.at lists current opening hours and any appointment requirements. Given Vienna’s high demand, industry observers expect wait times to be longer than in smaller federal states, so booking ahead is advisable.

Applying from Abroad, Consulate and Embassy Route

Austrian citizens and former residents living outside Austria can apply for a police clearance certificate through an Austrian embassy or consulate. This consular route is essential for anyone without ID Austria access who needs the certificate for a foreign immigration or employment process. The typical steps are:

1. Contact the nearest Austrian embassy or consulate and request the criminal record certificate application form.
2. Complete the form and submit it in person or by post, together with a certified copy of your passport and any additional documents the consulate requires.
3. Pay the consular fee (amount varies by location and is set by the consulate).
4. The consulate forwards your request to the BMI in Vienna for processing.
5. Once processed, the certificate is returned to the consulate, which notifies you for collection, or posts it to your address if the consulate permits.

Consular processing is slower than the domestic routes because the application must travel between the consulate and the central register in Vienna. Allow several weeks and confirm current timelines with your specific consulate, as the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA) notes that processing periods depend on postal logistics and local consulate workload. For those exploring Austria immigration changes in 2026, obtaining the certificate early in the process is strongly recommended.

Costs, Payment Methods and Processing Times for a Police Clearance Certificate in Austria

The cost and speed of obtaining a Strafregisterauszug Austria depend on the application route. The table below summarises typical ranges:

What is the quickest way? Where on-the-spot issuance is available, typically at an LPD service counter, the certificate can be handed over within minutes. Online applications with electronic delivery usually arrive within a few working days. The consular route is the slowest. Payment methods vary: the online portal accepts electronic banking and card payments, while in-person offices may accept cash or card depending on the location.

Receiving and Using the Certificate, Translations, Apostille and Legalisation

An Austrian Strafregisterbescheinigung is issued in German. If you need it for use in another country, two additional steps are commonly required: certified translation and authentication (apostille or legalisation).

Translation and Certified Translation Requirements

Most foreign authorities, embassies, and immigration offices require a certified translation of the certificate into their official language. In Austria, certified translations must be prepared by a sworn and court-certified translator (allgemein beeideter und gerichtlich zertifizierter Dolmetscher). Translations by uncertified persons are typically rejected. The Austrian Association of Certified Court Interpreters maintains a searchable directory of qualified translators.

Apostille vs Legalisation

For countries that are parties to the Hague Apostille Convention, an apostille affixed by the competent Austrian authority is sufficient to authenticate the document for international use. In Austria, apostilles for judicial and criminal-record documents are issued by the relevant regional court (Landesgericht) or the Federal Ministry of Justice, depending on the document type. For countries that are not Hague Convention members, full diplomatic legalisation through the BMEIA and the receiving country’s embassy may be necessary. The BMEIA website provides guidance on which authentication path applies for each destination country.

What Shows on the Certificate and Data Visibility

Understanding what information appears on a Strafregisterauszug is critical, particularly if you are uncertain about your record. The Strafregistergesetz (Criminal Records Act) governs which entries are recorded and for how long they remain visible.

Interaction with Expungement and Redemption Periods

Once the statutory redemption period has elapsed and no new conviction has been recorded during that time, the entry is automatically deleted from the register and will no longer appear on any future extract. The length of the redemption period is set by the Strafregistergesetz and depends on the severity of the original sentence. Understanding these periods is essential before applying if you believe an old conviction may still appear, a criminal law specialist can review your specific situation and advise on whether expungement (Tilgung) has taken effect or whether an application for early deletion may be possible.

If You Have a Record, Steps, Appeals, Correction and Expungement Touchpoints

Discovering an entry on your criminal record certificate can be stressful, especially if you believe the information is incorrect or should have been removed. Austrian law provides several avenues:

• Correction of errors. If factual data on the certificate is wrong (e.g., an incorrect name, date, or offence description), you can request a correction through the issuing authority. Errors in the underlying court record must be addressed at the court that issued the original judgment.
• Automatic redemption (Tilgung). Convictions are deleted automatically once the statutory redemption period expires without a further conviction. If you believe a redemption period has lapsed but the entry still appears, a qualified criminal law practitioner can investigate and petition for correction.
• Presidential clemency (Gnadenakt). In exceptional circumstances, individuals may apply for clemency-based expungement through the Federal President. This is a rare and discretionary process.
• Legal advice is essential. If a record entry is affecting your employment prospects, immigration status, or licensing application, engaging an Austrian criminal and administrative penal law specialist before submitting appeals or correction requests can significantly improve outcomes. Incorrect or premature filings can complicate the process.

Common Problems and Troubleshooting

Several issues arise frequently when people try to obtain a criminal record certificate in Austria. Here are the most common, with practical solutions:

• ID Austria login failure. Ensure the ID Austria app is updated to the latest version. If your certificate has expired, re-register at a registration office. EU eID users should confirm their national eID is notified under eIDAS.
• Name mismatch between ID and register. If you have changed your name (e.g., through marriage or naturalisation), bring both your current ID and documentation proving the name change. The central register is linked to your ZMR (central civil registration) data, any discrepancy may delay issuance.
• Missing Meldezettel for in-person applications. If your residential registration is not current, update it at the local Meldeamt before applying.
• Payment failures online. Try an alternative payment method. If problems persist, contact the portal’s technical support or apply in person instead.
• Certificate not accepted abroad. Confirm with the receiving authority whether they require an apostille, legalisation, or certified translation, and in which order the documents should be prepared. Some countries require the apostille before the translation, others after.

Quick Checklist, Police Clearance Certificate Austria

Use this checklist to ensure you have everything before you apply:

• ☐ Valid photo ID (passport or national identity card)
• ☐ ID Austria registration (for online applications) or confirmed EU eID (for EU Login)
• ☐ Current Meldezettel (proof of residential address) for in-person applications
• ☐ Reference number or form from the requesting authority (if applying for an authority-use certificate)
• ☐ Payment method (card/online banking for the portal; cash or card for in-person offices)
• ☐ Name-change documentation (if your name differs from your register entry)
• ☐ Apostille / legalisation arranged (if the certificate is for use abroad, check destination country requirements)
• ☐ Certified translation booked with a sworn court-certified translator (if required by the foreign authority)
• ☐ Consular appointment confirmed (if applying from outside Austria)
• ☐ Legal advice sought (if you expect a conviction to appear and need guidance on visibility or expungement)

Conclusion

Understanding how do I get a police clearance certificate in Austria is straightforward once you know which route suits your circumstances, online via ID Austria or EU Login for the fastest results, in person at a police directorate or mayor’s office when digital access is not available, or through an Austrian consulate if you are overseas. Whichever path you choose, plan ahead for any translation, apostille, or legalisation steps required by the receiving authority, and allow extra time if the certificate is needed for visa or immigration processes such as family reunification in Austria or a new residence permit application.

If a conviction appears on your record and you need advice on redemption periods, correction, or expungement, engaging an Austrian criminal and administrative penal law specialist early can make a material difference to the outcome.

Sources

1. Österreich.gv.at, Criminal Record (Strafregister)
2. Polizei.gv.at, Vienna Strafregister Service
3. Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA), Consular Guidance
4. ID Austria, Official eID Portal
5. RIS (Austrian Legal Information System), Strafregistergesetz
6. Bundesministerium für Inneres (Federal Ministry of the Interior)