Notarising a power of attorney for use abroad online: step by step

If you want to have a power of attorney for use abroad notarised online, it is now easier than ever. Whether for a property transaction, representing a company or dealing with the authorities: a notarised power of attorney is essential for many cross-border legal transactions.

Traditionally, this meant an appointment at a notary’s office, attending in person, long waiting times and sometimes even travelling back to your home country. But that is no longer necessary. With remote online notarisation (RON), powers of attorney can be created, signed and notarised entirely digitally, with full legal effect, from anywhere and with international recognition.

1. Austria as a pioneer: digital notarisations since 2020

Austria is one of the first European countries to bring notarial services into the digital age. As early as 2020, Section 90a NO created a legal basis enabling the certification of signatures and the execution of notarial instruments via video conference.

Originally introduced as a COVID-19 measure, the rule was later permanently incorporated into the legal system. This means that Austrian notaries can now:

• certify signatures entirely online
• notarise powers of attorney digitally
• execute notarial deeds and shareholder resolutions via video conference and notarise them

This digital opening makes access to notarial services much easier not only for private individuals but also for companies and expats. It means you can have your power of attorney for use abroad notarised online without having to visit a notary’s office in person.

2. EU-wide framework: eIDAS and apostille

There is now also a clear legal framework for digital notarisation at European level:

• The eIDAS Regulation (EU) No 910/2014 governs the recognition of electronic identification and qualified electronic signatures (QES) within the EU. Under Article 25 (2) of the eIDAS Regulation, a QES has the same legal effect as a handwritten signature.
• International recognition often requires an apostille under the 1961 Hague Convention. This can be applied for directly after the digital certification and confirms the authenticity of the document in more than 120 countries.

This ensures that a power of attorney notarised digitally in Austria is legally equivalent within the EU and can also be used internationally.

3. Step by step: how the online notarisation of a power of attorney works

The entire process via notarity is fully digital, legally secure and usually only takes a few minutes. This is how it works, step by step:

1. Book an appointment

Choose a suitable appointment with a notary online, simply via the notarity platform. Appointments are usually available at short notice, often even on the same day.

2. Prepare and upload your document

Upload your prepared power of attorney or the document to be notarised securely to the encrypted system. If you need help preparing it, you can also have the document drafted by a partner notary via notarity.

3. Digital identity verification

Next, your identity is verified online, for example by secure video identification. This step is required by law and ensures the legal certainty of the entire process.

4. Online notary appointment and electronic signature

At the agreed time, you meet the notary via video conference. During the appointment, you sign your power of attorney electronically. At the same time, your identity and the authenticity of your signature are confirmed.

5. Digital notarisation

Immediately after you sign, the power of attorney is notarised digitally. The document receives a qualified electronic signature (QES) and a digital seal, which makes it just as legally effective as a document notarised in person.

6. Apostille (optional)

If you want to use the power of attorney abroad, you can have an apostille added as part of the appointment. It confirms the authenticity of the certification and ensures that the document is recognised in more than 120 countries under the Hague Convention.

7. Delivery and use

Once completed, the notarised power of attorney is immediately available for you to download. On request, it can also be sent in physical form to an address of your choice.

The whole process makes it possible to have a power of attorney for use abroad notarised online: quickly, securely and ready for international use.

4. For expats: legal certainty without a flight home

For Austrians or EU citizens living abroad, having powers of attorney issued in their home country used to be cumbersome. It often meant travelling or going to an embassy, frequently with long waiting times.

Thanks to digital notarial services, expats can now create their powers of attorney and have them notarised from anywhere in the world. This is particularly relevant for:

• property purchases or inheritance matters in Austria
• representation before courts or authorities
• bank powers of attorney or company formations

👉 Tip: Check in advance whether the destination country recognises digital certifications and apostilles. You can find an overview of the contracting states of the Hague Convention here. The Austrian Ministry for Foreign Affairs also provides information on certifications and consular procedures here.

5. For companies: efficiency in international projects with multiple signatories

Digital notarisation offers considerable advantages for internationally active companies, especially in complex projects with several parties and signatories in different locations.

Typical use cases include:

• granting powers of attorney for subsidiaries or branches abroad
• company law resolutions or register applications
• M&A transactions or contract signings
• representation and powers of attorney for investments under banking law

In the past, parties often had to travel, documents were sent by courier, or several appointments at different notaries’ offices had to be coordinated. This not only cost time and money but often delayed transactions as well.

With digital notarisation, this effort is no longer necessary:

• Several signatories can take part simultaneously, from different locations and time zones, in a digital certification using a two-way audio and video connection.
• The entire process can be planned flexibly and completed within a few hours, even for complex powers of attorney with several parties.
• All parties immediately receive the notarised documents digitally, which significantly increases project speed and legal certainty.

This makes digital notarisation not just an efficiency tool but a strategic advantage for companies operating across borders.

Conclusion: digital powers of attorney are the new standard for international legal transactions

The digital notarisation of a power of attorney is no longer a vision of the future; it is established practice. Austria created a legal basis early on, paving the way for legal processes that are more efficient, inclusive and cross-border.

For expats, this means no more trips home, no visits to the authorities and no delays.

For companies, it means faster processes, less coordination effort and more flexibility in international projects, even when several parties in different countries are involved.

Via notarity, a power of attorney can now be created digitally, notarised by a partner notary and, if necessary, given an apostille in just a few minutes. Access to international legal transactions has never been easier.