Austria (AT)

Austria is a landlocked Central European republic of nine federal states (Bundesländer), renowned for its stunning Alpine landscapes, imperial history, world-class classical music, and high standard of living.

Capital: Vienna

Region: Europe

Language: German

Currency: EUR (€)

Cost of living: Expensive (index 72)

Emergency: 112

Healthcare in Austria

Austria operates a Bismarck-model social health insurance system with near-universal coverage. The Österreichische Gesundheitskasse (ÖGK — Austrian Health Insurance Fund) was formed in 2020 by merging nine regional Krankenkassen into one national fund, simplifying the system. Coverage is comprehensive — GP and specialist visits, hospital care, prescriptions, dental check-ups, maternity care, and mental health are all included. Quality is high and the system is consistently rated among Europe's best. The main challenge for expats is the limited availability of English-speaking doctors outside Vienna.

Austria ranks consistently in the top 5–10 for European healthcare quality. High doctor density, modern hospitals, short wait times for urgent care. Vienna's AKH (Allgemeines Krankenhaus) is one of the largest teaching hospitals in Europe.

Public healthcare: ÖGK — Österreichische Gesundheitskasse

Austrian Health Insurance Fund

Eligibility:All employed persons and their dependants. Self-employed: covered by SVS (Sozialversicherung der Selbständigen). Civil servants: covered by BVA (Versicherungsanstalt öffentlich Bediensteter). Students: can be covered under parents' ÖGK or purchase student ÖGK insurance (~€65/month). Job seekers registered with AMS: health insurance continues for the duration of unemployment benefit, then may be extended.

Monthly cost:Employee contribution: 3.87% of gross salary. Employer: 3.78% on top. For family members (Mitversicherte): free — spouse and children are co-insured if the insured person contributes. Self-employed (SVS): minimum ~€160/month.

What's included:

GP visits (free at Kassenarzt — contract doctor)
Specialist visits at Kassenarzt (free or minimal Selbstbehalt)
Hospital inpatient care (daily charge: €12.98/day, max 28 days/year — 2026)
Prescription medication: €7.55 Rezeptgebühr per prescription (2026)
Pregnancy and childbirth: 100% covered, no copay
Regular preventive check-ups (Vorsorgeuntersuchungen) every 2 years for adults aged 19+
Children's check-ups (Mutter-Kind-Pass programme, birth to age 5)
Dental check-ups (once per year for adults, twice for under-18)
Physiotherapy with prescription
Mental health (psychotherapy via public Psychotherapeutische Versorgung — limited places)
Rehabilitation following illness or surgery
Ambulance transport (in medical emergencies)

Not included (or co-pay required):

Dental major work (crowns, implants, orthodontics) — significant copays or full private cost
Glasses and contact lenses for adults — usually private pay (children: subsidy available)
Private hospital rooms (one-bed/two-bed wards) — require private or supplemental insurance
Elective cosmetic procedures
Alternative medicine (homeopathy, acupuncture) — some Wahlärzte offer but not ÖGK reimbursed
Many medications on the "Negativliste" (excluded medication list)

Co-payments:€7.55 Rezeptgebühr per prescription (2026) — waived for low-income individuals (Rezeptgebührenbefreiung). Hospital daily charge: approximately €12–16/day depending on federal state (max 28 days/year, waived for children). At Wahlärzte (private doctors with partial reimbursement): ÖGK reimburses 80% of the equivalent Kassenarzt fee — you pay the difference. Annual Rezeptgebühr cap applies once contributions reach 2% of annual net income — Befreiung (exemption) available for low-income; check current threshold at oegk.at.

How to enrol:Employees: employer registers you with ÖGK automatically upon starting work. You receive your e-Card by post within 2–3 weeks. Self-employed: register directly with SVS (svs.at). Students: either inherit parents' coverage or register at ÖGK directly. Non-employed: contact ÖGK directly at oegk.at.

Waiting period:None — coverage starts immediately on registration.

Private healthcare: Private Krankenversicherung (Zusatzversicherung)

Who can use it:Anyone can take out supplemental private insurance in Austria on top of ÖGK coverage. There is no private-only system as in Germany — almost everyone has ÖGK as the base.

When it makes sense:Private Zusatzversicherung is popular for: single/two-bed hospital wards (Sonderklasse), access to "Privatärzte" (doctors outside the public Kassenarzt system), faster specialist appointments, dental crowns and implants, optical benefits, and alternative therapies. Premium supplemental insurance costs ~€40–120/month and is offered by all major Austrian insurers.

Monthly cost:€40–150/month (supplemental/Zusatzversicherung only). Full private health cover for expats arriving from abroad: €200–500/month with international insurers (Cigna Global, Allianz Care, BUPA).

Major providers:

UNIQAAllianz AustriaMerkur VersicherungGenerali AustriaWiener Städtische / Vienna Insurance GroupWüstenrotÖBV (Österreichische Beamtenversicherung)

Accessing care

GP system

You choose your own Kassenarzt (ÖGK-contracted GP) freely — no catchment area restriction. Present your e-Card at every visit. GPs (Allgemeinmediziner) are the first point of contact. Many also act as a Hausarzt (regular GP you see consistently). First available appointment: usually 1–5 days for non-urgent issues. Walk-ins accepted at many practices for urgent same-day issues. In Vienna, the website doctolib.at helps find available Kassenärzte.

Specialist referral

You can self-refer directly to a Facharzt (specialist) at a Kassenarzt practice — no GP referral (Überweisung) needed in Austria. However, showing up with a GP referral can help explain your case. Private specialist (Wahlarzt): ÖGK reimburses ~80% of the Kassenarzt equivalent — you claim the Wahlarzttarif refund via oegk.at or in person. Specialist wait times: Kassenarzt = 2–6 weeks; Wahlarzt = often within days.

Emergency care

Call 144 for ambulance (life-threatening emergencies). Vienna AKH emergency department (Notaufnahme) and all regional hospitals handle emergencies 24/7. Walk-in emergency at hospital without advance booking is always possible — triage determines priority. Non-life-threatening issues: use the 141 (Ärztefunkdienst — weekend/out-of-hours doctor) instead of the hospital emergency room.

Out of hours

Call 141 (Ärztefunkdienst) for out-of-hours non-emergency medical advice and home visit requests — available evenings, weekends, and public holidays across all states. In Vienna: walk-in Notfallpraxen (emergency practices) in several districts open evenings and weekends (check gesundheit.gv.at).

Prescriptions

Prescriptions (Rezepte) are issued by your doctor. In Austria, the e-Rezept (electronic prescription) system is being rolled out — your doctor sends the prescription to the ÖGK system and you collect by presenting your e-Card at any Apotheke. Some doctors still issue paper Kassenrezept. Rezeptgebühr: €7.55 per prescription (2026). Wahlärzte may issue "Privatrezept" (private prescription) — full cost at pharmacy, then partial reimbursement from ÖGK.

Dental

ÖGK covers: annual dental check-up and cleaning, basic fillings, tooth extraction, and temporary dentures. Crowns, implants, and orthodontics are largely out-of-pocket (40–100%). A Zahnzusatzversicherung (dental supplemental insurance) at ~€10–30/month is popular for covering major dental work. Keep your Bonusheft (dental health booklet) — regular check-ups over years increase your ÖGK reimbursement for major work.

Mental health

ÖGK covers limited psychotherapy sessions at Kassenarzt psychotherapists — very long wait times (3–12 months). Expand access through the Österreichischer Strukturplan Gesundheit psychosocial services. Private therapy (Wahltherapeut): €90–150/hour; ÖGK reimburses part. Several Krisen- und Beratungszentren (crisis and counselling centres) in Vienna offer free or subsidised mental health support. Telefonseelsorge 142: free 24/7 crisis line.

Maternity

Pregnancy and childbirth are fully covered by ÖGK with no copay. The Mutter-Kind-Pass (Mother-Child passport) programme covers mandatory prenatal and postnatal check-ups (5 prenatal + 5 postnatal). Failure to complete Mutter-Kind-Pass checks reduces Kinderbetreuungsgeld (child benefit) payments. Choice of hospital birth, birth centre (Geburtshaus), or home birth — midwife (Hebamme) care fully covered. Maternity leave (Mutterschutz): 8 weeks before + 8 weeks after birth (higher-risk pregnancies: longer). Hebamme coverage: ÖGK covers midwife visits for up to 6 weeks after birth at home.

Expat-specific advice

First steps on arrival:

Complete your Meldezettel (address registration) within 3 days — required for ÖGK registration
If employed: your employer registers you with ÖGK. Check your first payslip for ÖGK deduction.
Await your e-Card by post (arrives 2–3 weeks after registration). This is your health insurance card.
Register with a Kassenarzt (ÖGK-contracted GP) — search at doctolib.at or verzdoc.at
Find a Zahnarzt (dentist) and get your Bonusheft started for dental benefits
If you have children: find a Kinderarzt (paediatrician) promptly — waiting lists are long
EU/EEA citizens: your EHIC from your home country is valid for the first short period before ÖGK registration

Finding English-speaking doctors:Vienna has many English-speaking doctors, particularly in the inner districts. Filter by language on doctolib.at or gesundheit.gv.at. US Medical Center Vienna (usmc.at), IAMAK (International Medical Association in Austria), and the hospitals of Vienna (especially AKH and Rudolfstiftung) have multilingual staff. Outside Vienna: English-speaking doctors are fewer — larger university cities (Graz, Salzburg, Linz) have some.

International insurance:Not required for EU/EEA citizens after ÖGK registration. Non-EU expatriates arriving before employment starts: use an international insurance bridge (Cigna Global, Allianz Care, BUPA international) for the initial weeks. Once ÖGK enrollment begins, you may cancel international insurance for ÖGK-covered services — but keep supplemental cover for private hospital access if desired.

Emergency card info:Always carry your e-Card (health insurance card) — presented at every medical appointment. The e-Card also serves as your EU EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) for travel within the EU/EEA. Memorise: 144 (ambulance), 141 (out-of-hours doctor), 112 (general emergency). If you have allergies or chronic conditions, carry a brief medical summary in German.

EHIC notes:The Austrian e-Card displays the EHIC information on the back (or an EHIC can be requested separately from ÖGK). Valid for EU/EEA travel. When travelling outside Austria but within the EU: show your e-Card and state you want "sozialmäßige Behandlung" (public healthcare treatment). If you have a private Wahlarztkarte from your insurer: this is separate from the e-Card.

Pharmacies (Apotheke)

Hours:Monday–Friday 8am–6pm (some until 7pm or 8pm). Saturday: 8am–12pm (noon). Closed Sundays and public holidays except for the rotating Notdienst pharmacy.

After-hours / emergency:Every area has a rotating Nachtdienst/Sonntagsdienst (on-call) pharmacy. Check the list posted on every Apotheke door, at apothekensuche.at, or call 1455 (free, 24/7 pharmacy hotline for Austria). The duty pharmacy is open all night and charges a small surcharge (€3–5).

Prescription rules:Kassenrezept: requires your e-Card (or paper prescription from ÖGK-registered doctor) — €7.55 Rezeptgebühr copay. Privatrezept: privately issued prescription — full medication cost (can claim partial ÖGK refund for some medications). OTC medications (rezeptfrei): available without prescription but pharmacist must be consulted. Austria does not allow supermarket sale of prescription or most OTC medications — all must go through an Apotheke.

Available over-the-counter:

Pain relief: Ibuprofen (Brufen, Ibuflam), Paracetamol (Mexalen), Aspirin
Cold and flu: Grippostad, Coldistop, Wick products
Allergy: Cetirizine, Loratadine (Clarityn)
Digestive aids: Iberogast, Pantoloc, Bepanthen
Throat: Dolo-Dobendan, Tantum Verde
Wound care and antiseptics: Betaisodona, Calendula cream
Vitamins and minerals
Contraception: condoms, Plan B (morning-after pill — prescription required in Austria)
Sunscreen and skin care

Typical costs

GP visit (with insurance)	€0 (Kassenarzt, ÖGK-contracted)
GP visit (private pay)	€80–150 (Wahlarzt, private consultation)
Specialist visit	€0 (Kassenarzt specialist) / €100–250 (Wahlarzt specialist)
Emergency visit	~€12–16/day inpatient depending on federal state (ÖGK, max 28 days/year); €150–500 (private emergency)
MRI scan	€0 (ÖGK with referral) / €300–700 (private/Wahlarzt)
Prescription average	€7.55 Rezeptgebühr per prescription (ÖGK)
Dental check-up	€0 (ÖGK, once/year)
Baby delivery	€0 (ÖGK); €3,000–8,000+ (private Sonderklasse)

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