INTRODUCTION: Forecasts for Austria indicate that the proportion of people over 65 will rise from 19 % in 2019 to 27 % in 2050. The number of elderly and very old people coming into the health system as patients with specific clinical pictures and complications is constantly increasing. Also, aging employees in health services are an aspect that requires qualified handling. Against this background, the Austrian HPH Network is developing a recognition procedure for age-friendly health services. *** PURPOSE/METHODS: Central component of this recognition procedure is an instrument for the self-assessment of the age-friendliness of health services. Age-friendliness of health services is defined by five dimensions. The first four dimensions are based on the Taiwanese Framework for Age-friendly Hospitals and Health Services. The fifth dimension is based on a selection of indicators of the Austrian grade label NESTORGOLD for the recognition of age-friendly companies and organizations, therefore brings a staff focus into the instrument. *** RESULTS: The self-assessment instrument has been piloted by three member institutions of the Austrian HPH network. Based on the piloting experiences, the first steps of the recognition procedure were defined in a participatory process with the users. *** CONCLUSIONS: In a next step, the recognition procedure will be elaborated and piloted. The aim is that the first awards can be presented by the end of this year and that age-friendly health services are implemented as a thematic focus within the Austrian network.