Healthcare in Austria

Written by Lais Cattassini Moderated by Oleksandra Dosii

Lais Cattassini

Lais is a Brazilian journalist and copywriter with over 17 years of experience, writing about things she knows really well (travelling, cinema, social media trends) and things she loves learning about.

Oleksandra Dosii

Oleksandra is a dedicated marketer with a passion for growing HR-tech products. She believes content marketing is about delivering high-quality content that provides value—not just generating leads. Since 2016, Oleksandra has been involved in tech talent relocation.

Last update: September 14, 2024

Next update: Scheduled for February 1, 2025

Interesting facts:

• Austria's healthcare system is a mixed system, combining public, private, and social insurance elements.
• According to the World Health Organization, the population in Austria is expected to decrease by 0.17% by 2050.
• Life expectancy in Austria has improved by 2.82 years from 78.2 years in 2000 to 81 years in 2021.

Overview of the Austrian healthcare system

Austria has one of the best healthcare systems in the world, according to the Legatum Prosperity Index, ranking among the top 15 best systems in Europe.

The system's structure is mixed, with public, private and social insurance elements. Public healthcare is funded mainly through social insurance contributions, which are mandatory. Private health insurance is available for people who want additional coverage, such as private rooms in hospitals and access to specific practitioners.

Health insurance is compulsory in Austria. If you are employed in the country, your employer will automatically enrol you in the public health system, and contributions are deducted from your salary. Public health insurance covers a wide range of medical services, including doctor visits, hospital stays and prescription medication.

If you need further assistance or would prefer to choose a doctor and have access to more comfortable hospital accommodations, you can choose to supplement the public health insurance with private health insurance.

How to access the healthcare system in Austria as an expat

The process for registering in the Austrian public health system varies depending on your employment status, length of stay in the country and nationality.

Secure Residency in Austria

Before registering for health insurance, expats must have legal residency in Austria.

EU/EEA citizens must register with the local municipal office (Meldeamt) within three days of arriving in Austria. They will receive a registration form (Meldezettel).

Non-EU citizens must obtain a residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel) before registering for health insurance. The application for the permit must be made at the Austrian embassy or consulate in the expat's home country or at the Austrian residence authority upon arrival in the country.

Obtain Employment or Proof of Income

Health insurance in Austria is generally tied to employment. If you are employed, your employer will handle most of the registration process for public health insurance.

If you are self-employed, you need to provide proof of income and self-employment status through a document such as business registration or freelance contract.

If you are unemployed, you need to register as unemployed or provide proof of sufficient financial means to support yourself. You may need to apply directly for health insurance with the Austrian Social Insurance (Österreichische Gesundheitskasse - ÖGK).

Employer Registration for Health Insurance

If you are employed, your employer will request documents such as a passport, work permit and residence registration form to then register you with the ÖGK. Once registered, mandatory social insurance contributions will be deducted from your salary to cover health, pension, accident, and unemployment insurance.

Direct Registration with the Austrian Health Insurance (ÖGK)

If you are self-employed, unemployed, or a student, you will need to register directly with the ÖGK.

Visit the local ÖGK office or register online via the ÖGK website. You will need to submit proof of residence, proof of identity, proof of income and proof of student status if necessary. Then you will need to fill out a form.

Social Security Number (SV-Nummer)

Once registered with the public health insurance provider, you will be assigned a social security number (Sozialversicherungsnummer or SV-Nummer).

You will also receive an e-card, the electronic health insurance card used to access medical services. Whenever you visit a doctor, hospital or pharmacy, you will need to present this card.

Types of health insurance in Austria

Public Health Insurance (Statutory Health Insurance)

Public health insurance in Austria, known as Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung, is mandatory for most residents, including employees, self-employed individuals, pensioners, and students.

Public insurance covers a wide range of medical services, including doctor visits (general practitioners and specialists), hospital stays and treatments, preventive care such as vaccinations and screenings, prescription medications (with a co-payment), maternity and child care, rehabilitation and therapy services, and basic dental care.

Private Health Insurance

Private health insurance (Private Krankenversicherung) is an optional, supplementary form of insurance. It provides additional coverage and benefits that are not fully covered by public health insurance, such as private or semi-private hospital rooms, choice of doctor or specialist even outside the public system, access to private hospitals and clinics, enhanced dental and optical care, alternative and complementary therapies like acupuncture, and coverage for additional comfort services like shorter waiting times.

Premiums for private health insurance are not income-based but depend on factors like age, health status, and the level of coverage chosen. Unlike public insurance, contributions are paid directly to the private insurer.

Travel and Expatriate Insurance

For expatriates or temporary visitors to Austria, short-term health insurance plans are available to cover unexpected medical expenses during their stay. This type of insurance is suitable for tourists, short-term visitors, or expatriates on temporary assignments, and it covers emergency medical services, including hospital stays, emergency surgeries, and ambulance services.

The choice of health insurance provider will depend on your preferences and need. Some of the most popular companies in Austria providing health coverage are Allianz Care, April International, and Cigna Healthcare.

How much does health insurance in Austria cost?

The cost of healthcare in Austria can vary depending on whether an individual is covered under the public health insurance system, has supplementary private insurance, or is paying out of pocket.

The costs for public health insurance are primarily income-based and are deducted directly from salaries for employees. You will typically pay around 3.87% of your gross salary towards health insurance. There is a cap on the maximum income subject to social security contributions, which in 2024 is set at €6,060 per month. Contributions above this threshold do not increase.

Self-employed individuals must pay a minimum €495.58 per month for their health insurance. However, depending on economic circumstances, this contribution can be reduced.

English-speaking doctors in Austria

Most of the Austrian population, especially in larger cities, speak English. Therefore, finding English-speaking doctors in Austria is very straightforward. The official Austrian health insurance provider's website has a doctor search tool where you can filter results by language. You can also filter your search by city and speciality.

The Austrian Medical Chamber, Österreichische Ärztekammer, offers a similar search tool where you can search for doctors by speciality, location, and language spoken. The website can be accessed here.

What to do in an emergency?

The primary emergency number for medical assistance in Austria is 144. This will connect you to the Austrian emergency medical services (Rettungsdienst), where you can request an ambulance.

You can also dial 112, the European Union-wide emergency number. This number can be used for any type of emergency, including medical, police, or fire services.