Health insurance in Austria for foreign expats

Wherever you move to, healthcare will always be a priority. Fortunately for expats, Austria enjoys a high standard of healthcare, known for its high quality and universality. Austria’s public healthcare covers nearly 100% of the Austrian population.¹ 

The vast majority of people in Austria use the public healthcare system as it is renowned across Europe for being excellent, affordable and accessible. The Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection governs the medical industry.

Employees

Access to the public healthcare system is very simple, it is linked to employment. Typically, your insurance is arranged through your employer, and monthly payments are deducted from your salary. The healthcare system is funded 50% by the employee and 50% by the employer, so both the employee and employer pay monthly payments. Employers are responsible for enrolling staff on the public health insurance. It is not possible for you to pick which insurance company you are insured with; however, it is possible to purchase supplementary private health insurance if you feel you need an extra level of support.

Once registered, insurance companies will send out E-cards that store your claims, medications and medical histories. You should make sure you can access this before your first healthcare appointment.

Having health insurance is compulsory (Pflichtversicherung). The amount an individual pays towards their healthcare is calculated by their income. Factors such as previous health conditions or lifestyle choices are not taken into consideration.  However healthcare is free for those people who are pensioners, spouses of workers, on unemployment benefits, or people who are unable to work for other extenuating reasons. Tourists and temporary visitors can access Austrian healthcare; however, they may pay full price. If a person is out of work, they must be registered with the local labour exchange service AMS (Arbeitmarktservice), so the insurance will be covered by the government. Otherwise, every doctor’s appointment will need to be paid for.

European citizen

You can also access the public healthcare in Austria using a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). These cards allow you to access Austrian public healthcare on the same basis as an Austrian citizen but are only for temporary stays.

Emergency Care

Local authorities provide emergency care in Austria as part of the public health system. Anyone living in the country is entitled to emergency healthcare. So, as an expat it’s a good idea to take note of the following numbers:

Ambulance: 144

Emergency medical service: 141

European emergency number: 112

Austria also has a public emergency psychiatric hotline: 01 313 30

And, its own suicide prevention hotline: 01 713 3374.

Pharmacies

There is no shortage of Pharmacies (Apotheke) in Austria. Usually your doctor will write you a prescription (Rezept), which you can take to any pharmacy to get filled. If your insurance is public you will be required to pay at normal market prices, but with private, you will be reimbursed dependent on your level of cover.  

Opening hours in Austrian pharmacies vary. There is usually a late-night pharmacy in your neighbourhood. It is worth noting however that late-night pharmacies- can be located quite far away and generally have higher service fees. To find your local pharmacy you can use this tool.

Medication can be bought in pharmacies and online shops such as Apotheke.at. Depending on the type of medication, you can scan the prescriptions and order home delivery. Drug stores or supermarkets don’t tend to sell medication. The majority of medication can only be bought once you have gained a prescription from your doctor. Austria has very strict policies when buying medication over the counter. 

Dental cover

Austria is home to many good quality dentists countrywide. For dentists who speak your language you may need to be around a major city. 

The Austrian Dental Chamber is a useful tool to search for dentists in your area no matter where you live. Public insurance includes dental care; however, the particulars of coverage vary. Generally, public insurance covers the very basics of dental care, but you should check with your insurance provider to confirm this first. If you want any specialised treatment you will need to pay for it out of pocket. 

Don’t forget to take your health insurance card or E-card with you to your appointments, as this will help you avoid paying extra fees. 

GP Appointments and Prescriptions

When you arrive in Austria, it’s important to first register with a doctor. You can find doctors through Praxisplan. This comprehensive site provides information on medical professionals in all regions of the country. You can also set parameters like ‘language’ and ‘speciality’. Fortunately, in Austria, you can choose any doctor you wish to see. It is worth noting that not all facilities can accept new patients as sometimes the capacity is already limited. It is also only possible to change doctors after 3 months.

Bookimed also provides details of doctors listed by their specialties, as well as some information on their backgrounds.

Once you’ve found a general practitioner in your area, you can book an appointment to have a check-up. This way you can set yourself, and your family up, and establish a relationship with your doctor. When you go to the doctor’s office, you’ll need to take the e-card and photo ID for each person, if you are registering family members too.

Put simply, doctor’s fees will be covered by your insurance and taken directly from your wages from your insurance contribution. So, you do not need to pay any medical costs upfront. However, if you visit a private doctor without private insurance, this will incur fees.

Private healthcare in Austria is often used by those who either cannot use public healthcare or are self-employed and choose to opt out. Private healthcare is also used by those who want it to complement their public insurance. Generally, private healthcare means shorter waiting times, wider physician choice, and the choice of public or private clinics and hospitals. Although the quality of care does not vary hugely, the comfort of care might. It is worth noting that only a small section of the Austrian population utilises private insurance. 

To sign up for private health insurance, you should do your research and find the best company and policy for your needs. Then, you’ll need to follow their individual process for signing up. Depending on the insurance policy, some clinics won’t charge you fees; some, however, will ask you to pay, submit your receipts, and then get a reimbursement. Be sure to do your homework and understand the process of getting, and paying for, medical care.