Austria – Eye Care

How do I find an optometrist or eye care professional in Austria?

In Austria, it is important to understand the difference between ophthalmologists and optometrists. Ophthalmologists are fully qualified medical doctors specialising in eye health, whereas optometrists are healthcare professionals trained primarily in assessing vision and prescribing corrective lenses. This distinction matters because the route to specialist care in Austria differs from the optometrist-led models found in many English-speaking countries.

High street opticians represent the most accessible entry point for eye care in Austria. These shops offer vision assessments, contact lens fittings, and the sale of prescription spectacles and lenses. You will encounter optical retailers in virtually all cities and sizeable towns, making it straightforward to obtain a basic vision check without needing a formal referral.

If you are registered with a family doctor in Austria, they can issue a referral to an ophthalmologist or optometrist for more detailed assessment. This is often the most practical path into the public system — particularly when you require treatment for an identified eye condition rather than a straightforward prescription update.

Many health insurers in Austria maintain directories of approved eye care providers and can supply details of practitioners in your area. Online searches are also useful, as most providers publish their services, pricing, and contact details on their own websites. The ÖGK’s official portal (gesundheitskasse.at) features a searchable database of contracted practitioners (Vertragsärzte), which is an excellent place to start.

Vienna and Graz serve as the principal centres for advanced eye care in Austria. The Department of Ophthalmology and Optometrics at MedUni Vienna, located within the Vienna General Hospital (AKH Wien), ranks among the largest eye care facilities in Europe. Outside major urban centres, highly specialised services can be harder to find, and patients with complex conditions are often referred to regional hospital departments.

Licensed medical doctors, including ophthalmologists, can be found through the register maintained by the Austrian Medical Chamber (Österreichische Ärztekammer) at arztsuche.at. The professional organisation for optometrists and opticians is the Wirtschaftskammer Österreich (WKO) guild for optics and hearing acoustics.

How is eye care paid for in Austria?

Austria’s compulsory social health insurance system applies to all employed residents and their dependants. The central statutory insurer is the Österreichische Gesundheitskasse (ÖGK), established in 2020 through the consolidation of the previous regional health funds. The ÖGK funds medically necessary eye care when delivered by contracted (Kassen) doctors, covering consultations and treatments that are clinically indicated.

While the public system funds a meaningful range of eye treatments, certain services fall outside that coverage and require direct payment by the patient. Private health insurance is also available to supplement the statutory scheme. Austria’s model differs noticeably from the NHS in the United Kingdom, where eligible groups can access funded sight tests at no direct charge, or from Australia’s Medicare, which subsidises visits to bulk-billing optometrists. In Austria, the statutory system focuses on funding specialist ophthalmologist consultations when medically warranted — not routine optometric assessments at opticians’ shops.

High street opticians in Austria charge directly for their services, and those fees are not reimbursed by the ÖGK. Some private health insurance policies do cover such visits, but this is not the default position. For most residents — including expats enrolled in the ÖGK — a straightforward vision check at an optician’s shop is an out-of-pocket expense.

Where the statutory system does contribute to the cost of eyewear, a co-payment structure applies. Insured individuals must bear a portion of the cost — generally 10% of the purchase price, and currently at least €43, or for glasses, at least €129 (as of 2025). This arrangement is only available at opticians who hold a contract with the ÖGK; those without a contract must be paid in full upfront, with reimbursement claimed afterwards.

EU citizens visiting Austria temporarily are entitled to medically necessary care on the same footing as Austrian residents when they present a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Non-EU expats who take up employment in Austria are enrolled in the ÖGK by their employer from the first day of work. Self-employed expats and those not in employment should register directly with the ÖGK or, where they do not qualify for statutory coverage, take out comprehensive private health insurance. It is advisable to confirm your coverage status with the ÖGK as soon as you arrive.

What does a routine eye examination cost in Austria?

A standard vision assessment (Sehtest or Augenuntersuchung) at a high street optician in Austria is an expense that most people meet themselves. The price depends on the provider, the location, and the breadth of the examination, but a basic refraction test at a private optician generally falls in the region of €30 to €80 (as of 2025). More detailed assessments incorporating retinal photography or intraocular pressure measurement will cost more.

If your GP refers you to a contracted ophthalmologist through the public system, a clinically indicated examination may be fully or largely covered by the ÖGK. Visiting an ophthalmologist who does not hold an ÖGK contract (a Wahlarzt) will result in private fees — typically anywhere from €80 to €200 or above for an initial consultation — after which you can submit a claim to your insurer for partial reimbursement. Before booking, it is worth checking whether your preferred doctor is a Kassenarzt (contracted) or a Wahlarzt, particularly if cost is a factor.

Vision screening for children is provided through the national preventive health programme — the Mutter-Kind-Pass and routine school health checks — at no charge to families. No equivalent subsidised adult screening exists in Austria, unlike in the UK, where NHS-funded sight tests are available to people aged over 60 and various other qualifying groups.

Fees can vary by region: opticians in Vienna and other large cities tend to charge towards the upper end of the scale, while smaller towns and independent practices may offer more competitive pricing. Always request a quote before your examination takes place. For the latest guidance on standard fees, consult the Wirtschaftskammer Österreich (WKO) or the relevant professional body.

Are prescription glasses and contact lenses affordable in Austria?

The cost of prescription eyewear in Austria is broadly in line with other Western European countries. Entry-level single-vision lenses in a basic frame can begin at around €100–€200 at budget chains, whereas premium frames combined with progressive lenses can reach €400–€800 or more at independent boutiques. Prices depend considerably on the retailer, the lens type selected, and any additional treatments such as anti-reflective or photochromic coatings.

Several well-known chains operate across Austria. Apollo-Optik has outlets throughout the country, offering eye examinations, contact lens fitting, and a broad range of prescription eyewear. Fielmann, a Germany-based retailer with multiple Austrian locations, similarly provides examinations, fittings, and sales of spectacles and contact lenses. Optik Wölfleder is a family-run chain with various sites across Austria covering the same range of services. Budget chains such as Fielmann frequently undercut independent boutiques on standard frames and lenses by a meaningful margin.

Contact lenses are readily available from opticians and through online suppliers. Monthly disposables from leading brands typically cost between €20 and €50 per month, depending on the prescription complexity and the retailer chosen. Daily disposable lenses cost more on a per-lens basis but may be preferable for certain wearers.

The statutory health insurance system does not generally subsidise standard glasses or contact lenses for working-age adults with ordinary prescriptions. Laser eye treatment costs are only met by statutory insurance in Austria in exceptional cases where clear medical necessity exists. Eyewear subsidies are similarly restricted to those with significant visual impairment. If your prescription is particularly strong or you have a medical condition affecting your sight, contact the ÖGK to find out whether you may qualify for a contribution towards your eyewear costs.

Does health insurance cover eye care in Austria?

The ÖGK funds medically necessary ophthalmological consultations and treatments when a patient sees a contracted doctor. Coverage extends to diagnostic investigations for conditions including glaucoma, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, and age-related macular degeneration, as well as surgeries that are clinically indicated. Cataract surgery costs are generally met in full by the statutory health insurance companies in Austria, given that it is a medically necessary procedure — this includes both the operation itself and the standard intraocular lens implanted during the procedure. It should be noted, however, that the ÖGK only covers standard monofocal intraocular lenses, which correct vision at a single focal distance.

Routine visits to a high street optician, standard prescription eyewear, and elective treatments such as LASIK fall outside public coverage for the vast majority of insured adults. High street optometrists charge for their services independently of the public system, and those fees are not reimbursed by the ÖGK. This contrasts with systems such as Australia’s Medicare — which subsidises optometry visits — or certain European countries that include routine vision checks within their public entitlements.

Private supplementary health insurance (Zusatzversicherung) can substantially broaden what is covered for eye care. Policies differ considerably, but more comprehensive plans commonly include annual contributions towards prescription eyewear (for example, €150–€300 per year towards glasses or contact lenses), cover for Wahlarzt (non-contracted specialist) appointments, and in some instances partial funding for elective laser procedures. Policy wording should always be read carefully before assuming that a given treatment is included.

Expats who are not automatically enrolled in the ÖGK — such as the self-employed, students, or those who have relocated before securing work — should seriously consider taking out comprehensive private health insurance with optical benefits from the outset. International health insurance plans often provide wider optical coverage than domestic Austrian supplementary policies, though the specifics vary greatly between providers. When comparing options, pay particular attention to: annual optical allowances, surgical eye treatment provisions, and whether Wahlarzt visits are reimbursed.

How do I access specialist or hospital-based eye care in Austria?

Seeing an ophthalmologist within the public system normally begins with a referral from a general practitioner (Hausarzt), although in urgent cases you can go directly to a hospital eye unit or emergency department. For non-urgent specialist appointments via the ÖGK, a GP referral ensures that the consultation is billed at the contracted rate. Presenting without a referral may result in you being treated as a private patient and charged accordingly.

1. Register with a GP: As soon as you settle in Austria, find a local general practitioner who holds an ÖGK contract. Your GP will coordinate referrals to specialist eye care when needed.
2. Obtain a referral: Request a formal referral (Überweisung) from your GP if you are experiencing symptoms or have an eye condition that warrants specialist review.
3. Find a contracted ophthalmologist: Search for a Kassenarzt in your area using the ÖGK’s practitioner directory at gesundheitskasse.at or the Ärztekammer’s search tool at arztsuche.at.
4. Book your appointment: Call or contact the practice directly to arrange a time. Waiting periods for contracted ophthalmologists can be several weeks, particularly in rural regions or for subspecialist services.
5. Attend your appointment: Take your e-card — the Austrian health insurance card issued by the ÖGK — along with any relevant medical notes or previous prescriptions from your home country or former GP.
6. Follow-up and treatment: The ophthalmologist will arrange any further tests, interventions, or hospital procedures as clinically required. Treatment delivered within the public hospital system is covered by the ÖGK, typically with a statutory daily co-payment for inpatient stays.

The Ophthalmology and Optometry department at AKH Vienna has been serving patients for 200 years, staffed by highly qualified ophthalmologists and equipped with modern diagnostic technology including OCT, ultrasonography, visual acuity testing, and colour vision assessment, enabling accurate diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of eye conditions. For rare or particularly complex cases, university hospital departments in Vienna and Graz represent the pinnacle of specialist eye care available in Austria.

Conditions routinely treated within the public system include cataracts, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and retinal detachment. As previously noted, cataract surgery costs are generally covered in full by the statutory health insurers in Austria. For up-to-date information on access pathways and waiting times, consult the Austrian Federal Ministry of Health or reach out to your regional ÖGK office.

Is laser eye surgery or cosmetic eye treatment available in Austria?

Statutory health insurance in Austria does not generally fund laser eye treatments. Under current insurance regulations, procedures such as Femto-LASIK, SmartSight, and Trans-PRK are regarded as elective, meaning they are voluntary interventions aimed at improving quality of life rather than treating a medically necessary condition. Because they are not classified as clinically essential for most patients, they fall within the category of aesthetic or comfort-oriented medical services.

Techniques including ReLEx SMILE, LASIK, and PRK are performed using state-of-the-art equipment such as the VisuMax femtosecond laser and the WaveLight EX500 excimer laser, both of which deliver precise and reproducible results. Laser eye surgery in Austria achieves efficacy rates of up to 98% for the correction of myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. The sector is well established, with particular concentration in Vienna and Graz, where both dedicated private clinics and hospital-affiliated centres offer these treatments.

The position changes when laser or lens-based surgery is medically necessary. Conditions such as cataracts, keratoconus, and secondary cataracts may qualify for ÖGK funding where clinical necessity is clearly demonstrated, though approval is not automatic and requires thorough documentation.

When self-funded, LASIK and comparable refractive procedures in Austria typically cost between €1,000 and €2,500 per eye, depending on the specific technique, the technology used, and the clinic chosen (as of 2025; always obtain a current quote directly from the facility). Austria is home to highly trained ophthalmologists certified by the European Board of Ophthalmology, with some surgeons having completed in excess of 10,000 LASIK procedures. Laser eye surgery clinics in Austria are governed as medical establishments under Austrian health law and must hold a licence from the relevant regional health authority (Landeshauptmann). Operating surgeons are required to hold specialist qualifications in ophthalmology. For details of licensed facilities, contact the Federal Ministry of Health.

Certain private or supplementary insurance plans may contribute to the cost of elective laser procedures — the extent of coverage varies significantly between policy types and tariff levels. Review your policy documentation carefully before committing to any elective treatment.

What should I do about my existing prescriptions or eye records when moving to Austria?

Before you leave your home country, gather complete copies of all your eye health documentation — your most recent prescription, records of any conditions that have been diagnosed (such as glaucoma or macular degeneration), and details of any previous eye surgery. Request written summaries from your current optometrist or ophthalmologist, ideally including all technical prescription data (sphere, cylinder, axis, and addition values) alongside relevant clinical notes.

Austrian opticians will generally accept a valid overseas prescription when dispensing spectacles or contact lenses, provided the prescription is current — typically within one to two years for adults — and contains all the parameters they require. That said, Austrian opticians and ophthalmologists are not legally obliged to act on a foreign prescription without conducting their own assessment, and many will suggest a fresh examination before filling a complex or outdated prescription.

If you are managing an ongoing diagnosed eye condition, it is strongly recommended that you arrange a consultation with an Austrian ophthalmologist shortly after arriving rather than relying exclusively on records from abroad. Where your documentation is not in German, bring translated summaries if possible; many ophthalmologists in Vienna and other cities have a working command of other languages, but formal medical communication in Austria takes place in German.

When establishing care with a new ophthalmologist or GP in Austria, ask specifically about transferring your records into the Austrian electronic health record system (ELGA — Elektronische Gesundheitsakte), which stores patient health information digitally and makes it accessible to authorised healthcare providers anywhere in the country. This can be particularly valuable for maintaining continuity of care if you have a complex or long-standing eye condition.

Registering with an Austrian GP as soon as possible after arrival is an important early step, as your family doctor can then refer you to an ophthalmologist or optometrist for ongoing eye health management as needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be referred by a GP to see an ophthalmologist in Austria?

To be seen by a contracted ophthalmologist within the public system, a GP referral (Überweisung) is strongly advisable and is generally required for the ÖGK to cover the consultation cost. Attending without a referral may mean you are treated as a private patient and charged private rates. In urgent or emergency circumstances, you can go directly to a hospital eye department without a referral. For a basic vision check, no referral is necessary to visit a high street optician.

Is a routine eye test free in Austria?

No. In contrast to the NHS in the UK, which provides funded sight tests to certain qualifying groups at no charge, Austria’s statutory health insurance does not generally cover routine eye examinations at high street opticians for adult patients. A standard refraction test at an optician typically costs between €30 and €80 out of pocket (as of 2025). Clinically indicated examinations carried out by a contracted ophthalmologist are covered by the ÖGK when referred through the appropriate channels.

Will the ÖGK cover the cost of my glasses or contact lenses?

The ÖGK does not routinely contribute to the cost of standard glasses or contact lenses for adults with ordinary prescriptions. Where a subsidy does apply, insured individuals must pay at least €129 towards the cost of glasses (as of 2025), and this is only available through contracted opticians and when specific medical criteria are met. Day-to-day eyewear purchases are generally self-funded. Children and adults with severe visual impairment or particular medical conditions may qualify for greater financial support.

Can I use my existing foreign prescription at an Austrian optician?

In most situations, yes. Austrian opticians are able to dispense glasses or contact lenses based on a valid overseas prescription, as long as it is current and includes all the technical parameters needed. However, they are not legally required to do so without conducting their own assessment, and many will recommend a fresh examination before fulfilling a complex or older prescription. Keeping your written prescription readily accessible when you relocate is always sensible.

Is LASIK eye surgery available in Austria and will my insurance pay for it?

LASIK and comparable refractive procedures are widely available in Austria, particularly in Vienna and Graz, but statutory health insurance does not cover them as they are classified as elective treatments. These surgeries are self-pay procedures, typically costing between €1,000 and €2,500 per eye (as of 2025). Some supplementary private insurance plans may contribute towards the cost — always check the specific terms of your policy before proceeding.

What happens if I need cataract surgery in Austria?

In Austria, the costs of cataract surgery are generally covered in full by statutory health insurance, as the procedure is considered medically necessary. This encompasses both the operation itself and the standard intraocular lens used. The ÖGK covers only standard monofocal intraocular lenses, which provide clear vision at one focal distance. Should you wish to have a premium multifocal or extended-depth-of-focus lens, you would be required to pay the additional cost privately.

Where can I find a list of contracted (Kassen) ophthalmologists in Austria?

The ÖGK operates a searchable online directory of contracted healthcare providers — including ophthalmologists — at gesundheitskasse.at. The Austrian Medical Chamber also has a doctor search tool at arztsuche.at. Selecting the specialty Augenheilkunde und Optometrie and filtering by your region will produce a list of practitioners who accept ÖGK patients.

What if I have a pre-existing eye condition — will it be covered when I move to Austria?

If you are employed in Austria and enrolled in the ÖGK, your statutory coverage takes effect from the commencement of your employment, regardless of any pre-existing conditions — unlike some private insurers, the ÖGK does not impose exclusions for conditions you had before joining. For private supplementary insurance, however, pre-existing conditions may be subject to exclusions, waiting periods, or increased premiums. It is important to disclose all existing conditions accurately when applying for any private policy and to review the terms carefully.