Austria’s Foreign Ministry has reported irregularities in the issuance of passports at its embassy in London, prompting an official investigation and a report to the Federal Office for the Prevention and Combating of Corruption (BAK).
According to a statement released on Thursday, several Austrian passports were wrongly issued between 2022 and 2024. The issue came to light during an extraordinary internal review, which triggered immediate follow-up checks and legal action.
The ministry noted that earlier inspections had found no signs of misconduct. Additional checks at other Austrian diplomatic missions have so far not uncovered any similar cases, suggesting the problem may be isolated.
In coordination with anti-corruption authorities, steps have already been taken to revoke the improperly issued passports. Officials did not disclose how many documents were affected, citing ongoing investigations and the need to protect their integrity.
The ministry also pointed to reform efforts already underway. Last year, Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger established a commission to improve oversight and organizational structures. A specialized team within the ministry is currently reviewing passport procedures to identify weaknesses, while further measures are being developed in cooperation with the Interior Ministry to prevent future incidents.
Meanwhile, the opposition Freedom Party (FPÖ) has called for full transparency. Party Secretary-General Michael Schnedlitz demanded immediate clarification, questioning what prompted the extraordinary review and whether there had been prior suspicions. He also asked for clear answers on the findings of the investigation.
As inquiries continue, the case has raised broader concerns about oversight, accountability, and trust in official procedures.
