Source PIN in Austrian Procurement Law 2026

Source PIN (Stammzahl): the unique entity identifier in Austrian eGovernment – significance for electronic procurement and bidder identification.

Definition: The Source PIN (Stammzahl) is a unique, officially assigned identification number for legal persons and natural persons in the Austrian eGovernment system, used as a basic identifier in electronic administrative procedures – including eProcurement procedures.

Last updated: January 2026 · Legal basis: E-Government Act (E-GovG), BGBl. I No. 10/2004; BVergG 2018

What is the Source PIN?

The Source PIN is the central identification feature for legal entities in the Austrian eGovernment system. It is assigned by the Source PIN Register of the Data Protection Authority and enables unique, secure identification of companies and persons in electronic administrative procedures.

For legal persons (GmbH, AG, associations, etc.), the Source PIN is based on the company register number or the ZVR number; for natural persons, on the encrypted sector-specific personal identifier (bPK).

Significance for eProcurement

In the context of electronic procurement (eProcurement) in Austria, the Source PIN serves the unique identification of bidders and candidates. Procurement platforms use the Source PIN for:

Authentication of registered companies
Linking with company register data
Automatic pre-filling of forms
Verifying suitability and exclusion grounds via register data

Distinction from Other Identifiers

The Source PIN must be distinguished from other company identifiers:

Identifier	Area of Application
Source PIN (Stammzahl)	Austrian eGovernment, cross-authority
Company register number (FN)	Austrian commercial register
GLN (Global Location Number)	International use, logistics
VAT ID number (UID)	Tax law, EU-wide

Practical Significance for Bidders

Austrian bidders should know their Source PIN and enter it correctly when registering on eProcurement platforms. An incorrect or missing Source PIN can lead to problems with electronic bid submission.

Related Terms

FAQ

How do I find out my company's Source PIN? The Source PIN can be queried via the Business Service Portal (USP) or directly from the Source PIN Register of the Data Protection Authority.

Do German bidders need a Source PIN for Austrian procurement? No. Foreign bidders without Austrian registration use their national identification numbers. Austrian eProcurement platforms generally also enable the registration of foreign companies.

Last updated: January 2026 All information is provided without guarantee. For legally binding advice, please consult a law firm specialising in procurement law.