Understanding healthcare and health insurance in Austria

Moving to Austria is an exciting step that offers many new opportunities and experiences. For anyone wishing to emigrate to Austria, it is crucial to familiarise themselves with the Austrian healthcare system and the various health insurance options in advance. This comprehensive guide is aimed at anyone daring the adventure of emigrating to Austria, as well as professionals, families and retirees who plan to make it their new home.

The Austrian healthcare system is considered one of the best and most efficient in the world. It is based on the principle of compulsory insurance and ensures that almost the entire resident population (99.9 percent) has access to high‑quality medical care. Insurance coverage arises automatically by law once the statutory requirements are met, regardless of age, income or pre‑existing conditions.

The system is financed through contributionsthat are assessed according to income and employment status. Unlike Germany, where one can choose between statutory and private health insurance, Austria's statutory compulsory insurance is the rule for almost all employed persons and their dependants. Contributions are largely paid directly by the employer, with employees and employers sharing the costs. There is generally no choice of insurance provider, as membership depends on professional activity.

The Austrian social insurance system is organised by profession. This means that membership of a specific provider generally depends on the activity carried out. The Austrian Health Insurance Fund (ÖGK) is the largest health insurance provider and is responsible for most employees and their dependants. In addition, there is the Insurance Institution for Public Employees, Railways and Mining (BVAEB) for certain professional groups, and the Social Insurance Institution for the Self‑Employed (SVS) for tradespeople and freelancers.

In Austria, health insurance is compulsory for persons with a legal income. Insurance coverage comes into effect automatically once the statutory requirements are met – no application is necessary. Compulsory insurance applies to all employees (employed persons), self‑employed persons, recipients of unemployment benefit, pensioners, and family members of the aforementioned groups.

Statutory health insurance provides comprehensive protection in the event of illness to insured persons and their covered dependants. Benefits are provided as benefits in kind – insured persons receive free treatment from doctors or in hospitals without being billed. All insured and eligible persons have the same entitlement to benefits, regardless of the amount of their contributions.

In the event of a claim, the health insurance fund covers the costs for:

 

– Doctor visits to contract doctors (general practitioners, specialists, dentists with a contract)

– Hospital stays in the general fee class

– Prescription medication (subject to a prescription fee)

– Medical aids and devices

– Emergency treatments in Austria and abroad

The E‑Card is your personal social security card and the key to the Austrian healthcare system. It identifies you as a person with social insurance, stores your insurance data and enables the electronic processing of doctor visits and sick leave notifications. You will receive an E‑Card once you start working in Austria or otherwise become subject to compulsory insurance. Your employer registers you with the social insurance institution; from that point on, you are insured. You can go to the doctor with your social security number even if you do not yet have a physical card. The E‑Card is issued free of charge, but a service fee is levied per calendar year (2026: €26.85), which is usually deducted from your salary by the employer.

Please bring your E‑Card to every medical appointment. If you forget it, some doctors may charge a deposit, which you will get back when you bring the card. On the back of the E‑Card is the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), with which you can receive medical services in most European countries.

A major advantage of the Austrian system is the free dependant coverage for family members. Insured persons and their family members are entitled to benefits provided the insured person is subject to compulsory insurance. The following are covered as dependants:

 

– Spouses, registered partners and, under certain conditions, life partners (in families with children; otherwise subject to a fee)

– Children up to the age of 18

– Children up to the age of 21 if they are not in gainful employment

– Children up to the age of 26 if they are in education or training

 

This dependant coverage is free of charge as long as the insured person is subject to compulsory insurance.

Persons who are not subject to compulsory insurance through gainful employment and cannot be covered as dependants have the option of voluntary self‑insurance with the Austrian Health Insurance Fund. The monthly contribution in 2026 is €565.25. In cases of financial hardship, an application for a reduction can be submitted. Reduced special rates apply for students and persons with marginal employment.

Self‑insurance is subject to a six‑month waiting period before full entitlement to benefits (e.g., medical assistance) applies. Exceptions are urgent cases such as pregnancy or accidents. Please note that self‑insurance only provides entitlement to benefits in kind (medical treatment, hospital stays, medication), not cash benefits such as maternity or sickness benefit.

For most insured persons (e.g., ÖGK members), there are no direct costs for doctor visits or hospital stays. However, cost sharing is provided for in some areas:

 

– PRESCRIPTION FEES: A prescription fee is payable for each prescription medication (2025: €7.55). Exemption is available for those on low incomes.

– HOSPITAL COST SHARING: During a hospital stay, all patients must pay a certain amount per day of stay.

– DEDUCTIBLES FOR SVS AND BVAEB INSURED PERSONS: Specific cost sharing is provided for medical assistance for insured persons of the Social Insurance Institution for the Self‑Employed (SVS) and the Insurance Institution for Public Employees, Railways and Mining (BVAEB).

 

IMPORTANT NOTE FOR GERMAN IMMIGRANTS: If you are in a regular employment relationship in Austria, the same rules apply to you as to all other Austrian employees – including free dependant coverage for your family. For self‑employed persons, students or persons without a direct job start, the rules on self‑insurance apply. All persons taking up employment in Austria must register with their employer, who will then register them with the social insurance institution. Separate registration with a health insurance fund is not required in this case.

Statutory compulsory insurance covers a solid basic medical care that is completely sufficient for most people. However, if you wish to have additional benefits – such as free choice of doctor (access to private doctors for shorter waiting times), better hospital accommodation (two‑ or single‑bed room), treatment by the head physician, or access to private clinics – you can take out private supplementary insurance. This is entirely voluntary.

For private doctors, the average waiting time decreases significantly: according to a recent study by the Federation of Austrian Industries, the waiting time for contract doctors can be up to 63 days, while appointments with private doctors are usually available within a few days. Private insurance typically covers benefits such as cost coverage for special class accommodation (single or double room), free choice of doctor (access to private doctors), and outpatient medical treatments.

Monthly premiums depend on your age, the desired scope of benefits, your state of health and the insurance company. For children, contributions start at around €30, for adults from around €45, with combination tariffs (special class plus private doctor) for 30‑year‑olds realistically ranging between €50 and €150 per month.

Typical benefits of supplementary insurance include:

 

– SPECIAL CLASS: Accommodation in a single or double room in hospital (instead of the general fee class), treatment by the doctor of your choice (head physician)

– PRIVATE DOCTOR: Coverage of costs for treatment by doctors without a contract – also on an outpatient basis

– DENTAL TREATMENT: Coverage of costs for dental treatment and dentures (only partially, often with deductibles)

– OUTPATIENT MEDICAL TREATMENT: Coverage of costs for physiotherapy, psychotherapy, acupuncture, etc.

– DAILY ALLOWANCE: Payment of a fixed amount for hospital stays or incapacity for work

 

Unlike in Germany, supplementary insurance in Austria does not replace statutory health insurance but supplements it. Anyone who leaves statutory compulsory insurance to insure themselves exclusively privately would not be adequately covered. Before taking out supplementary insurance, a health check is usually required.

– COMPULSORY INSURANCE COMES INTO EFFECT AUTOMATICALLY: When you start work, your employer registers you with the social insurance institution – you do not need to do anything further.

 

– YOU AUTOMATICALLY RECEIVE THE E‑CARD: Once you are registered, the E‑Card will be sent to your home address by post. For newborns, the card is issued automatically.

 

– REFERRAL SLIP REQUIERED: Unlike in Germany, you usually need a referral slip from your general practitioner to see a specialist.

 

– MOVING FROM GERMANY: If you move from Germany to Austria, you are covered for illness by your German insurance card for the first three months. For further coverage, registration with the ÖGK is required.

 

– EU FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT: German citizens enjoy full freedom of movement for workers and can work in Austria without restrictions, which automatically includes them in compulsory insurance.

Moving to Austria requires careful planning and a good understanding of the healthcare system. We at KOCH Moving Logistics are by your side to make your dream of emigrating to Austria as smooth as possible.