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.
Social Security in Austria
Benefits, contributions, and how the system works for expats.
Austria has a comprehensive social security (Sozialversicherung) system covering health insurance (ÖGK), pension (PVA), accident insurance (AUVA), and unemployment (AMS). The system is administered by several Versicherungsträger (insurance carriers): ÖGK for most employed persons; SVS (Sozialversicherung der Selbständigen) for the self-employed, tradespeople, and farmers; BVAEB (Versicherungsanstalt öffentlich Bediensteter) for public servants; and AUVA for all work-related accidents and occupational diseases. The social security number (Sozialversicherungsnummer, SV-Nummer) is the central identifier for the entire system.
Sozialversicherungsnummer (SV-Nummer)
Sozialversicherungsnummer
Automatically assigned by ÖGK when first employed in Austria or when registering with an Austrian social insurance carrier. Employees: your employer registers you within 2 weeks of employment start — the SV-Nummer is printed on your e-Card. Self-employed: assigned when registering with SVS. Non-working residents: may need to apply at ÖGK directly. The SV-Nummer consists of 10 digits: first 3 are a check number, last 6 are your date of birth in DDMMYY format.
- Health insurance identification (e-Card)
- Pension account (Pensionskonto at PVA)
- Payslip and employment records
- Tax return cross-referencing
- AMS unemployment benefit applications
- All social insurance transactions
- Medical care (e-Card presentation)
Benefits & Support Payments
Unemployment Benefit (Arbeitslosengeld)
Arbeitslosengeld (ALG)
Income replacement benefit for unemployed persons who have contributed to the unemployment insurance (Arbeitslosenversicherung) for a minimum period.
Must have been employed and contributed for at least 52 weeks in the last 24 months (first claim) or 28 weeks in the last 12 months (subsequent claims). Must be registered as unemployed with AMS. Must be available and actively seeking work.
Register as unemployed (arbeitssuchend melden) at AMS within 3 days of job loss. Apply for Arbeitslosengeld simultaneously at AMS.at or in person. Required: Dienstzeugnisbestätigung from employer.
Emergency Assistance (Notstandshilfe)
Notstandshilfe
Continued income support after Arbeitslosengeld is exhausted. Means-tested (spouse/partner income counts).
Exhausted Arbeitslosengeld entitlement, still unemployed and registered with AMS, available for work.
Apply at AMS before Arbeitslosengeld runs out — automatic transition if conditions met.
Mindestsicherung / Sozialhilfe (Social Welfare)
Sozialhilfe (successor to Mindestsicherung)
Basic income support for those who have no other means of support. Last safety net in the Austrian system. Amount and eligibility varies by Bundesland following 2019 reform that returned primary responsibility to states.
Austrian citizens, EU citizens (after 5 years residence or with right of residence), recognised refugees and persons with subsidiary protection. Income below the Richtsatz; assets below threshold.
In Vienna: apply at the MA 40 (Sozialdienste) or online at wien.gv.at/sozialinfo. Other states: contact the Bezirkshauptmannschaft.
Work Accident and Occupational Disease (AUVA)
Leistungen der AUVA
Covers all costs of work accidents and commuting accidents including medical treatment, rehabilitation, and income replacement (Versehrtengeld/Unfallrente). Paid entirely by employers through AUVA contributions.
All employed persons (and apprentices). Self-employed: SVS covers occupational accidents.
Report any work accident to AUVA (auva.at) immediately and through employer. No contribution from employee — AUVA is employer-funded.
Krankengeld (Sickness Benefit)
Krankengeld
After employer's continued wage obligation (Entgeltfortzahlung) ends, ÖGK pays Krankengeld for continued illness.
ÖGK-insured persons unable to work due to illness after employer's obligation period ends.
Automatic from ÖGK when informed of extended illness. Doctor provides Arbeitsunfähigkeitsbestätigung to both employer and ÖGK.
Pension (Alterspension)
Alterspension / Regelpensionsalter
State pension payable from the standard retirement age (Regelpensionsalter).
Standard retirement age: 65 (men); 60–65 (women — transitioning to 65 by 2033). Minimum 15 contribution years (180 insurance months). Full pension: 45 contribution years.
Apply to PVA (Pensionsversicherungsanstalt, pva.at) 3–6 months before intended retirement date.
Family Benefits (Familienbeihilfe)
Familienbeihilfe
Monthly child benefit for all resident families. See familyRights for full details.
All parents legally resident in Austria with children under 18 (up to 24 in education)
Finanzamt Österreich (finanz.gv.at or FinanzOnline)
Contribution Overview
Total Sozialversicherung contributions (2026): Employee side ~18.2% of gross salary. Employer side ~21–22% on top of gross salary. Combined total: ~39–40% of gross salary. Income ceiling for contributions (Höchstbeitragsgrundlage): €6,450/month (2026). Income above the ceiling: exempt from SV contributions (but income tax continues). Contributions split: ÖGK health 3.87% employee / 3.78% employer; PVA pension 10.25% employee / 12.55% employer; AMS unemployment 3% each; AUVA accident 0%/1.1%; MV-Kasse severance 0%/1.53%; housing + AK contributions ~1% each side.
International Social Security Agreements
Austria has bilateral social security totalization agreements with: all EU/EEA countries (via EU Regulation 883/2004), Switzerland, USA, Canada, Australia, Japan, Israel, India, South Korea, Turkey, former Yugoslav states (Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia, North Macedonia, Montenegro), and many others. These agreements allow contribution periods to be aggregated for benefit eligibility and prevent double contributions. Check at sozialministerium.at for the full list.
The Austrian social security system is funded primarily by employer and employee contributions, not general taxation. As an employee, your contributions are deducted from gross salary before you receive your net wage. Self-employed persons (SVS) pay both employee and employer equivalents. The main risk for expats: gaps in coverage during transition periods (job change, self-employment start). Always ensure continuous health insurance coverage — ÖGK has a 4-week Nachbehaltensfrist (continued coverage after employment ends) to bridge short gaps.
Social Security
Unlock the complete Social Security guide for Austria — including every detail, document, tip and link you need.
Become a SupporterSupport the guide on Ko-fi · Unlocks every premium section, everywhere