Austria – Health Insurance

Is health insurance mandatory for expats in Austria?

Every person residing in Austria — expats included — is subject to the country’s health insurance obligations. The law mandates Pflichtversicherung (compulsory insurance) for salaried employees, the self-employed, and their dependent family members, as well as for those receiving an Austrian pension. For residents who fall outside these categories, such as those who are not in employment, voluntary coverage is technically not enforced by law, but going without it is strongly discouraged given the potentially enormous cost of receiving medical treatment without any insurance in place.

Nationals of countries that require a visa to enter Austria must demonstrate proof of travel health insurance when applying for that visa. This policy must satisfy specific minimum standards and remain valid throughout the entire period of the stay. Austrian visa rules require evidence of travel health insurance providing cover of at least €30,000 for a three-month period.

Expats in any of the following situations are required to obtain health insurance: those who are employed in Austria, freelancers or the self-employed, those who are unemployed but eligible for social benefits, retirees, and dependants of any of the above categories. EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals holding a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) may access Austrian public healthcare services temporarily, but this does not constitute adequate long-term cover for residents. For the most accurate and up-to-date information on visa and insurance requirements, always consult the Austrian migration authority prior to travelling.

How does the public health system in Austria work?

Austria’s healthcare system is a well-organised statutory health insurance framework that delivers high-quality services to virtually all residents, as consistently recognised in assessments by the OECD and WHO. Unlike the United Kingdom’s NHS model, which draws funding from general taxation and provides free care at the point of delivery for all residents, Austria’s system is anchored in mandatory social insurance contributions determined by employment status. While this approach is broadly similar to the frameworks used in France and Germany, Austria has its own distinct rules and structures.

Statutory health insurance in Austria covers approximately 99.9% of the resident population, providing insured individuals and their co-insured family members with comprehensive protection in the event of illness. Under the governing legislation, medical treatment provided must be appropriate and sufficient for the condition being treated, without exceeding what is clinically necessary. Crucially, entitlement to benefits in kind for required medical services is a legal right that exists independently of the amount an individual has contributed.

The principal public insurance bodies are the Österreichische Gesundheitskasse (ÖGK), the Sozialversicherungsanstalt der Selbstständigen (SVS) serving freelancers and the self-employed, and the BVAEB for civil servants, railway employees, and miners. Following structural reforms to the fund system in 2020, employed workers previously covered by various regional funds were consolidated under the ÖGK, which now insures around 7.6 million policyholders and stands as Austria’s largest health insurer.

All residents and citizens working in Austria are required to contribute to the statutory health insurance scheme, with contribution amounts calculated as a proportion of income rather than being based on risk factors such as age or medical history. This is a fundamental difference from private insurance, where premiums typically increase alongside age and prior health conditions.

Those entitled to public healthcare receive an e-card, which enables the Austrian social security system to track health claims electronically. This card must be presented when attending medical appointments. As of 2025, there is an annual charge of €13.80 for the e-card, though certain exemptions apply.

How do expats register for public health coverage in Austria?

The registration process differs depending on your employment circumstances. For the majority of employed expats, enrolment is largely handled automatically. Those who are self-employed, studying, or without income will need to take some additional steps themselves. Below is a step-by-step guide for the most common situations.

For employed expats (most common route)

1. Begin your employment. All individuals in paid employment are enrolled in Austria’s public health insurance system within seven days of their start date. Your employer manages this registration process on your behalf.
2. Obtain your social security number. Once you are on an Austrian payroll, your employer registers you with the country’s social security system. Your HR department will provide you with your social security number, which you will need to complete further steps such as adding a photo to your record or registering co-insured family members.
3. Complete your address registration (Meldezettel). Visit your local municipal office (Meldebehörde) to obtain your residence registration certificate. This document is a prerequisite for most formal administrative processes in Austria and is generally required before your e-card can be dispatched.
4. Wait for your e-card to arrive. After registration is complete, your public health insurer — typically the ÖGK — will post your e-card to your registered address. Delivery can take up to six weeks. If yours has not arrived within this timeframe, contact your health insurance provider directly.
5. Register dependent family members if applicable. Insured persons and their dependants — including spouses, registered partners, and in certain circumstances life companions — are all entitled to benefits. Children may be added to the policy free of charge, as may spouses, registered partners, and life companions in households with children. For spouses or partners without children, an additional fee of 3.4% of your gross monthly salary (up to a specified cap) applies. Requests to add dependants should be submitted to your district insurance office; details can be found at gesundheitskasse.at.

For self-employed expats

1. Register with the SVS (Sozialversicherungsanstalt der Selbständigen). Foreign freelancers and self-employed individuals can register for state health insurance through the SVS. Simultaneous registration with the Austrian tax office (Finanzamt Österreich) is also required.
2. File your income declaration. As someone who is self-employed, you are personally responsible for submitting your tax return to the Austrian tax office, including your social contributions. Typically, around 20% of income is directed towards health insurance, although the precise figure varies depending on annual earnings. Most expats benefit from working with a qualified tax adviser to determine the correct amounts.

For students

1. Apply for student self-insurance (Studentenselbstversicherung). Unlike employed expats, international students are not automatically enrolled in public health insurance and must register for student self-insurance directly with the ÖGK. As a general rule, the study programme must span at least one full academic year to be eligible.
2. Prepare the required documents. To complete registration with the ÖGK, you will need to submit a completed application form, a passport photograph, your Austrian address registration certificate (Meldezettel), and proof of enrolment at an Austrian university.
3. Receive your e-card. Once your application is processed and approved, you will be issued an e-card as evidence of your entitlement to healthcare coverage.

Residents who are not working and have no existing insurance coverage may take out voluntary health insurance through the ÖGK. The fixed monthly contribution for this option is €526.79 in 2025. For the most current requirements and forms, always check directly with the ÖGK or the Austrian Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, as figures and requirements are subject to change.

What costs are involved in the public health system in Austria?

Residents in Austria fund public health insurance through social security contributions and insurance fees. Where enrolment is compulsory, your employer or pension provider deducts a percentage of your gross monthly salary or pension and remits it directly to the fund. In 2024, this rate was 3.87% for employees and 5.1% for pension recipients.

For those in company employment, the total monthly contribution towards statutory health insurance amounts to 7.65%, split between the employee (3.87%) and the employer (3.78%). This shared-contribution model — comparable in principle to those found in Germany and the Netherlands — distributes the financial burden between worker and employer, keeping individual costs relatively contained.

Those covered by voluntary or co-insurance arrangements pay a monthly premium. Depending on the specific situation, costs can range from approximately €70 to €500 per month as of 2024. For individuals with no employment and no income, the fixed monthly contribution for voluntary health insurance stands at €526.79 as of 2025.

Student voluntary insurance is priced at €73.48 per month as of 2025. For those in marginal employment, self-insurance costs €77.81 per month as of 2025.

There are also some out-of-pocket expenses to be aware of at the time of receiving care. A co-payment is charged for each medication dispensed by a pharmacy. This prescription charge stands at €7.55 per pack of medication as of 2025. Where the retail price of the medicine falls below this amount, you pay the actual price of the medicine rather than the flat charge. There is a cap on total annual prescription charges: once your payments in a given calendar year reach 2% of your annual net income, you become automatically exempt from further charges for the remainder of that year.

For hospital stays, a daily patient contribution is also payable. All contribution rates and co-payment thresholds are reviewed and may be adjusted annually. Always confirm the most current figures with the ÖGK or via the Work in Austria portal.

What does public health cover in Austria include and exclude?

Austria’s public health insurance covers all medically necessary and purposeful treatments, encompassing GP consultations, mandatory vaccinations, hospital and emergency care, routine dental check-ups, and comparable services. For certain services — such as prescribed medications and inpatient hospital stays — patients are required to make a small co-payment.

Insured individuals and their dependants are entitled to receive care from any general practitioner, specialist, or dentist who holds a contract with the relevant health insurance fund. A directory of such contracted doctors is available from the fund itself. In Austria, the general practitioner serves as the first point of contact for patients. In contrast to the UK’s NHS, which requires patients to register with a specific GP practice before accessing services, Austria permits insured persons and their co-insured relatives to freely select any contracted doctor of their choice.

The Austrian Health Insurance Fund (ÖGK) covers the cost of medical devices and aids — including hearing devices, diabetic supplies, bandages, spectacles, and orthopaedic insoles — when prescribed by a doctor. Covered benefits also extend to obstetrics and gynaecological care, dental treatment, and rehabilitation services.

Dental coverage under the public system is partial rather than comprehensive. Treatments generally included are fillings, root canal procedures, tartar removal, tooth and root extractions, and surgical interventions. The ÖGK covers amalgam fillings for back teeth. White composite fillings are only funded for front teeth; patients wishing to have white fillings in their back teeth must bear the full cost themselves, even when attending a contracted dentist. For this reason, most adults in Austria take out supplementary private dental insurance.

While Austria’s social insurance framework achieves coverage rates exceeding 99%, comprehensive coverage is not universal across all services. Certain dental treatments, cosmetic procedures, and elective private care require private payment or supplementary insurance. Optical care and orthodontics for adults are similarly excluded or only partially funded. Fixed orthodontic treatment for patients under 18 has been covered since July 2015, provided the case meets the required treatment index criteria.

If you consult a doctor who does not hold a contract with the public health fund — known as a Wahlarzt — you pay the full fee upfront and then submit receipts to the ÖGK for partial reimbursement, typically representing 60–80% of what the fund would pay a contracted provider. Supplementary private insurance can bridge this gap. Consult the ÖGK website for the most current list of covered services and contracted practitioners.

What are the advantages of international private health insurance for expats in Austria?

A large proportion of residents combine their statutory coverage with some form of private insurance. In 2023, nearly 38% of the population held a private policy of some kind, frequently motivated by the desire for faster access to care, private hospital accommodation, or a broader choice of healthcare providers. This pattern mirrors trends seen across many Western European nations where, despite robust public systems, waiting times and access to specialists can present real constraints.

Private health insurance opens the door to inpatient facilities at a higher standard, such as hospital special wards that offer private rooms, television and internet connectivity, en-suite bathrooms, reduced waiting periods for surgery, and greater freedom in selecting your treating physician. On the outpatient side, private coverage allows access to practitioners who are not part of the contracted public network.

For expats specifically, international private health insurance carries particular value. Beyond covering private medical services within Austria, it also addresses scenarios such as emergency medical evacuation or repatriation to one’s home country — situations that fall entirely outside the scope of the public system. This is especially relevant for those who travel regularly for work or who may need to receive treatment elsewhere.

Private health insurance in Austria may also extend to medication, medical consumables, prescription eyewear, and contact lenses. Additional perks can include supplementary dental coverage, subsidised fitness memberships, travel insurance provisions, and a range of annual health screenings and preventive check-ups.

International insurance products are designed with the particular circumstances of globally mobile individuals in mind, allowing expats in Austria to tailor coverage to their individual health priorities and financial parameters. These plans frequently incorporate emergency evacuation and repatriation benefits. For those whose lives span more than one country, an internationally portable policy may prove especially practical.

International plans covering medical care both within Austria and abroad are ideally suited to expats who maintain connections in multiple countries — for instance, cross-border workers who divide their time between Austria and a neighbouring state.

How do international private health insurance plans work in Austria?

Healthcare provision in Austria operates across two distinct tiers: a publicly funded system and a private one. The great majority of the population accesses healthcare through the public framework, but supplementary private insurance is available for those who wish to extend their coverage. In practice, private insurance in Austria functions almost exclusively as a complement to the statutory system rather than a standalone alternative.

Private health insurance in Austria is commonly marketed under the designations “Special Class” or “Comfort Class”. Many Austrians and expats alike opt for additional private cover even when they already benefit from public health insurance. Austrian law provides a notable consumer protection in this area: once a private health insurance contract is in force, the insurer cannot cancel the agreement or impose new restrictions on the policyholder. This sets Austrian private insurance apart from the practices common in some other markets.

When evaluating private plans, several important factors warrant careful consideration:

• Inpatient vs outpatient cover: Certain policies apply only to hospital admissions, while others extend to routine outpatient treatment. Confirm whether your chosen plan includes day-to-day outpatient consultations and specialist visits, as these represent the most frequently incurred costs.
• Pre-existing conditions: Transferring between private insurers effectively resets any waiting periods, and your health status at the time of switching will be reassessed. Conditions that have developed since your original policy was taken out may be excluded or result in increased premiums under a new plan.
• Geographic coverage: International policies cover medical care both in Austria and abroad, making them particularly suitable for frequent travellers or those who divide their residency between two or more countries.
• Dental and optical: Private health insurance in Austria often delivers broader coverage than the public system, frequently incorporating dental care, optical benefits, and supplementary features such as travel insurance.

Monthly premiums for private health insurance in Austria can vary considerably, ranging from approximately €100 to €450. The specific amount you pay will depend on personal factors including age, health status, medical history, and the extent of coverage selected. Obtaining quotes from several providers before committing to a plan is advisable. Prominent international providers offering policies for expats in Austria include Allianz Care, AXA, and Cigna Global, in addition to domestic Austrian insurers. Always verify that a provider is authorised to operate in Austria; a register of authorised insurers is maintained by the Austrian Financial Market Authority (FMA).

What should expats watch out for with health insurance in Austria?

Coverage gaps between arrival and enrolment. Newly arrived expats and short-term visitors may not yet qualify for public insurance, making travel insurance a sensible option for brief stays and international health insurance a worthwhile consideration for longer-term residency. A window often exists between arriving in Austria and either commencing employment or completing self-employed registration, during which you will not yet be enrolled. Make sure you have temporary bridging cover in place to protect yourself during this period.

Delays in receiving your e-card. Once you have successfully registered, your public health insurer — usually the ÖGK — will post your e-card to your home address, and this can take up to six weeks. In the meantime, keep a note of your social security number and any documentation confirming your employer’s registration, as some providers will accept this as interim proof of coverage.

Contracted versus non-contracted doctors. Contracts between doctors and the health funds are reviewed annually, and while most are renewed, cancellations do occur. It is therefore essential to confirm whether a particular doctor accepts your public insurance before scheduling an appointment, to avoid unexpected charges.

Conflating travel insurance with health insurance. Travel insurance and health insurance fulfil very different functions. Travel insurance generally covers emergency treatment, trip cancellation, and repatriation during short visits, but it is not an acceptable substitute for resident health coverage. Equally, the EHIC is not equivalent to travel insurance and does not ordinarily extend to private medical care.

Dependent family members require separate registration. While salaried employees and retirees are enrolled by their employer or pension fund, dependent family members — such as a non-working partner or children — are not added to the policy automatically. You must proactively contact your health insurance fund to formally register your dependants.

Pre-existing condition exclusions in private plans. Austrian private insurers may impose waiting periods or outright exclusions for pre-existing conditions. Before committing to any supplementary private policy, read the terms carefully and pay close attention to the exclusions section.

Higher contribution base for the self-employed. If you are self-employed, you bear sole responsibility for filing your tax return with the Austrian tax office, including any social insurance contributions. Typically, approximately 20% of income is directed towards health insurance, though the precise figure depends on annual earnings. Engaging a qualified tax adviser with specialist knowledge of Austrian social insurance law is strongly recommended.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use my home country’s health insurance in Austria?

EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens presenting a valid EHIC are entitled to access essential, government-funded healthcare in Austria during short-term visits, on the same basis as insured Austrian residents. However, the EHIC is not a substitute for comprehensive resident coverage. Once you are living and working in Austria on a longer-term basis, you will need to enrol in the Austrian social insurance system. Non-EU and non-EEA nationals are required to hold private health insurance to satisfy visa conditions and should transition to the public system once they enter employment.

Do I need private health insurance if I have a work permit for Austria?

Statutory health insurance is compulsory for residents in Austria, and enrolment is tied to employment — as soon as you are registered as a working resident, your employer will enrol you in the public system automatically. Additional private insurance is not a legal requirement, but many expats choose to take out supplementary cover in order to benefit from shorter waiting times, private hospital accommodation, and services that fall outside the scope of the public system.

How long does it take to be covered after starting work in Austria?

All individuals in paid employment are enrolled in Austria’s public health insurance system within seven days of commencing work, with the employer handling registration directly. However, the physical e-card confirming your entitlement may take up to six weeks to arrive by post, so it is wise to keep your social security number readily accessible until the card arrives.

What happens to my health insurance if I lose my job in Austria?

Residents in receipt of unemployment benefit retain mandatory public health insurance in Austria. If you become unemployed and claim unemployment benefit, your coverage should continue uninterrupted. Those with no income or earning below the marginal earnings threshold (€518.44 per month in 2024) do not have compulsory coverage; in this situation, they may seek co-insurance under a family member’s policy or apply for voluntary self-insurance. Contact the ÖGK as soon as your employment situation changes.

Is mental health treatment covered by Austrian public health insurance?

Mental health services are part of Austria’s statutory health insurance system. Psychiatric and psychotherapeutic treatment is accessible through contracted providers. However, the supply of contracted psychotherapists is limited relative to the level of demand, and waiting periods can be considerable. Many expats choose supplementary private cover to gain quicker access to private mental health professionals. For a current list of contracted providers, visit gesundheitskasse.at.

Are maternity and childbirth costs covered by public health insurance in Austria?

Obstetrics and gynaecological care are covered benefits under the ÖGK. Maternity services — encompassing antenatal check-ups, hospital delivery, and postnatal care — are provided within the public system. Maternity protection commences eight weeks prior to the expected due date and extends for at least eight weeks following birth. During this period, you receive full pay equivalent to your previous earnings, and your position is legally protected.

What is the e-card and do I need it for every appointment?

The e-card is your Austrian health insurance card and is required for almost all healthcare interactions, including consultations with doctors, hospital admissions, and collecting prescriptions at a pharmacy. If you attend an appointment without your e-card, some providers will still treat you but may ask for payment upfront, which you can then seek to reclaim from your health fund. The e-card carries an annual fee of €13.80, as of 2025.

Can students from outside the EU access public health insurance in Austria?

International students from outside the EU may apply for student self-insurance (Studentenselbstversicherung) through the ÖGK, subject to approval by the fund. Approval is generally granted to students enrolled in programmes lasting longer than one academic year. The monthly cost of voluntary student insurance is €73.48 as of 2025. Students should also ensure they are covered by valid travel health insurance prior to arrival and during the initial stages of their enrolment.