Last Chance: Those Who Do Not Switch Will Lose FinanzOnline Access
From October 1st, logging into FinanzOnline will only be possible with two-factor authentication. The Ministry of Finance emphasizes that this will increase the protection of sensitive data, such as in employee assessments or income data.
FinanzOnline: 2FA Requirement from October 1st
The preferred solution is ID Austria: The digital identity system is already used by around 3.9 million people and is intended to replace traditional IDs in the long term.
The switch to ID Austria is free of charge, but involves a personal visit to an authority. The process includes an online pre-registration via the "Digitales Amt" app and the presentation of an ID document at the magistrate, district authority, or police.
Alternative to ID Austria: Authenticator Apps
For those who do not want to use ID Austria, the ministry offers a second solution: Registration via authenticator apps like Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator has also been possible since February 2025. Users can scan a QR code directly in FinanzOnline to register their secondary device. A recovery code is used for security in case of device loss.
Criticism of the Additional Effort
The mandatory switch also draws criticism. Especially older or less digitally experienced citizens feel overwhelmed by the additional bureaucratic effort. Nevertheless, it is clear: The classic access with username and password will be abolished in October – from the authorities' perspective, the step is without alternative.
(Red)
This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.