ID cards for specific occupations See explanation of the designation of: ¹

To pursue the activities of a tourist guide or private detective, an identification (ID) card is necessary.

Traders as well as their employees have to carry these ID cards with them when pursuing their activities. Upon request, the ID card has to be shown and made available for inspection to the members of the public security forces.

This ID card with photo is issued by the competent authority to the person registering the trade when commencing business activities. It proves the official authorisation of the person to carry on the respective trade.

A request for issuing an ID card for employees may be filed by traders at any time.

An ID card, issued for example to tourist guides, provides information on

• regional restrictions or restrictions concerning the nature of the authorisation
• foreign language skills of the trader,
• if applicable, special skills in specific subject areas.

In general, these regulations also apply to business owners from EU -countries in Austria.

Statement of reasons for applying for a trade license ⁴

No specific deadlines have to be met.

The application for issuing an ID card may be made – without meeting specific formal requirements or by using a form – personally, in writing or partly also electronically.

Informal applications have to include the following information :

• Name and full details of the company
• Principal place of business
• GISA -number
• For each person to receive an ID card:
  • Name
  • Date of birth
  • Address

The authority may refuse to issue an ID card for employees of the trader if they were convicted of a criminal offence (ground for ineligibility) – provided that the sentence has not been served – and if it is deemed likely that the respective employee will commit the same or a similar criminal offence.

When an employee or several employees is found to have committed a criminal offence after the ID card had been issued, the ID card will be withdrawn by the authority.

• Official photo ID card
• For each person to be issued a professional ID card:
  • Two photos
  • Written confirmation of the employment relationship by the social insurance institution
  • For the trade of tourist guides: certificate of professional competence

Not applicable

The trade authority with geographical competence for the trade premises :

• The District Authority ¹⁰ German text [ Bezirkshauptmannschaft ]
• In cities with their own municipal law ¹¹ [ Statutarstädte] : the Municipal Administration ¹⁰ German text [ Magistrat]
• In Vienna:
  • the → Municipal District Office ¹² German text [ Magistratisches Bezirksamt ]
  • The authority competent for issuing the ID cards of private detectives:
    → the Municipal Department 63 ¹³ German text

Application for tourist guide or professional detective identity card ¹⁴ German text

ID cards are also mandatory for travelling salespersons (traders and their employees) visiting private persons to collect orders. Special rules are applicable.

Sections 62 ¹⁷, 108 ¹⁸, 129 ¹⁹, 130 ²⁰ of the Gewerbeordnung 1994 ²¹ ( GewO 1994)