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.
Insurance Guide
Which insurances you actually need in Austria, prioritised.
Austria requires several mandatory insurances and has a strong culture of comprehensive personal insurance coverage. The core is social insurance (ÖGK/SVS for health, PVA for pension, AUVA for accidents at work) which is compulsory and deducted from wages. Beyond the mandatory social insurance, private liability insurance (Haftpflichtversicherung) and household contents insurance (Haushaltsversicherung) are near-universally recommended. Car insurance is mandatory for vehicle owners.
Legally Mandatory
- - Health insurance (ÖGK — mandatory for all employees; SVS for self-employed)
- - Pension insurance (PVA — mandatory for all working persons)
- - Accident insurance (AUVA — workplace and commuting accidents; employer-paid)
- - Unemployment insurance (AMS contribution — mandatory for employees)
- - Car third-party liability insurance (Kfz-Haftpflichtversicherung — for all registered vehicles)
Private Liability Insurance (Privathaftpflichtversicherung)
Covers personal liability for damage you accidentally cause to others — breaking a friend's property, a cycling accident, your child damaging something at school, a leak from your apartment to the one below.
Who needs it: Everyone. This is arguably the single most important private insurance in Austria.
Annual cost: €60–120/year (covers the whole household)
Coverage up to €2–7 million per incident standard. Look for policies that include key loss coverage, rented property damage, and worldwide coverage. Often bundled with Haushaltsversicherung at a discount.
Household Contents Insurance (Haushaltsversicherung)
Covers the contents of your apartment against theft, fire, water damage, storm, and other named perils. Usually bundled with Haftpflicht and often glass insurance (Glasbruchversicherung).
Who needs it: All renters and property owners.
Annual cost: €80–200/year (depending on apartment size and sum insured)
Austrian Haushaltsversicherungen typically cover bicycle theft if specified in the policy. Compare on durchblicker.at or comparis.at. Check whether the policy covers "Sturmschaden" (storm damage) and "Leitungswasser" (burst pipes).
Car Insurance (Kfz-Versicherung)
Third-party liability (Haftpflicht) is mandatory for all registered vehicles. Optional: Teilkasko (partial coverage — theft, fire, weather, wildlife collision) and Vollkasko (comprehensive — includes own damage).
Who needs it: All vehicle owners.
Annual cost: €400–1,400/year for Haftpflicht + Vollkasko depending on vehicle, driver age, no-claims record
No-claims bonus (Schadenfreiheitsrabatt) can save 30–70%. Transfer no-claims history from your home country insurer. Compare at durchblicker.at or comparis.at. Winter tyre requirement (November 1 – April 15 in winter conditions) is linked to insurance validity.
Dog Liability Insurance (Hundehaftpflichtversicherung)
Covers liability for damage or injury caused by your dog to third parties. Mandatory in Vienna for Listenhunde (9 restricted breeds). Strongly recommended for all dog owners.
Who needs it: All dog owners, especially owners of larger dogs or restricted breeds.
Annual cost: €40–100/year
Vienna's Tierhaltegesetz mandates this for the 9 Listenhunde breeds. Even for non-listed breeds, if your dog bites someone, you are personally liable without insurance. Usually bundled with Privathaftpflicht — check your existing policy.
Supplemental Health Insurance (Private Kranken-Zusatzversicherung)
Tops up ÖGK coverage for private hospital rooms (Sonderklasse), faster specialist access, choice of chief physician, dental, optical, and alternative therapies.
Who needs it: Those who want private hospital accommodation and faster specialist access.
Annual cost: €500–1,800/year (€40–150/month) depending on age and coverage level
Apply early — pre-existing conditions may result in exclusions or premium loading. The Sonderklasse hospital upgrade (private or semi-private room, chief physician) is the most popular benefit. Dental add-ons are popular given high out-of-pocket dental costs.
Legal Expenses Insurance (Rechtsschutzversicherung)
Covers legal fees for disputes — employment, tenancy, traffic, contract, and consumer rights. In Austria, legal costs are high and front-loaded (court fees, lawyer retainers).
Who needs it: Highly recommended for employees and renters. Essential if you drive.
Annual cost: €120–300/year (varies by scope)
The Arbeiterkammer (AK) provides free employment law advice — reducing the need for Rechtsschutz for employment disputes. Rechtsschutz is most valuable for traffic disputes and tenancy battles.
Term Life Insurance (Ablebensversicherung)
Pays a lump sum to your beneficiaries upon death. Important for those with dependants or mortgage obligations.
Who needs it: Parents, mortgage holders, business partners.
Annual cost: €100–600/year (depends on sum insured, age, health)
Often bundled with mortgage financing (Wohnkredit). Austrian life insurance premiums are tax-deductible as Sonderausgaben up to a limit.
Pet Insurance (Tierkrankenversicherung)
Covers veterinary costs for illness, injury, and preventive care for pets (mainly dogs and cats). Vet costs in Austria are high and unregulated.
Who needs it: Pet owners, especially dog and cat owners.
Annual cost: €100–500/year depending on animal species, age, and coverage level
In Vienna, dog owners also need Hundehaftpflichtversicherung (dog liability insurance) for certain breeds under the Wiener Tierhaltegesetz. Tierkrankenversicherung (medical) is separate from Hundehaftpflicht (liability).
Comparison sites
Bundle Haftpflicht and Haushaltsversicherung for a 10–20% discount — most insurers offer combined packages.
The Arbeiterkammer (AK) regularly publishes insurance comparison reports — available free at arbeiterkammer.at.
Social insurance (ÖGK/SVS) premiums are automatically deducted from your salary — check your payslip to confirm correct deductions.
Austrian insurers are regulated by FMA (Finanzmarktaufsicht). If you have a dispute with an insurer, contact the Ombudsmann für Versicherungen (versicherungsombudsmann.at).
Car insurance comparison deadline: Stichtag November 1 — most Austrian Kfz-Haftpflicht contracts renew annually on January 1, with a November 1 cancellation deadline. Mark this in your calendar.
Insurance
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