What’s the best kind of health insurance in Austria? Read on to learn about types of health insurance plans, how much they cost, and much more.
8 min read
Do you live and work in Austria? If so, you don’t just need to open a bank account — you also need to square away your health insurance. That’s because every person in Austria is obliged to have statutory health insurance. Given this, you might be wondering which kind of health insurance is right for you. Read on for answers to all your burning questions about health insurance — like how much health insurance in Austria costs and how to go about choosing the right plan.
Statutory and private health insurance in Austria — what’s the difference?
Let’s start with the key question: What kinds of health insurance actually exist in Austria? In some countries, such as Germany, you can divide health insurers into two groups — statutory and private health insurance funds. This distinction doesn’t exist in Austria, as everyone is covered by the former. However, you have the option of taking out the following supplementary insurance policies on a private basis:
Insurance for the doctor of your choice, which includes the free choice of doctor, better coverage, and shorter waiting times.
Hospital insurance for additional benefits for when you’re in the hospital
Additional packages (e.g. for travel or children)
You can only take out these insurance policies in conjunction with statutory health insurance. In other words, they simply supplement the basic provision. Statutory insurance coverage includes:
Medical check-ups
Medical treatment
Residential care
Dental treatment
Sick pay
Benefits in kind and monetary benefits (for maternity leave)
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In Austria, the healthcare system is financed through monthly contributions from insurees. The amount of these contributions depends on the insuree’s gross income. If you’re an employee at a company, the monthly contribution towards statutory health insurance is 7.65%: the employee covers 3.87%, while the employer covers 3.78%. Conversely, the costs of private supplementary insurance depend on which additional benefits are included, as well as on age and overall health — we’re talking in the region of €45 to €85 a month for adults and €30 a month for children.If you don’t have an income, statutory health insurance in Austria costs €495.58 a month, as of 2024, and is known as “self-insurance.” You can only apply for a discount on this if you’re in serious financial difficulty.
Which health insurance provider should I choose?
You might be wondering which provider in Austria is best suited to your needs. Fortunately, you’ll likely be assigned to a statutory health insurance provider based on your professional group. If you’re an employee, your employer will generally handle your healthcare provision. Also, additional people can usually be included under your insurance plan, like children not subject to compulsory insurance, or other relatives. If you’re a public servant or self-employed, your health insurance is handled differently. You’ll learn more about this below.
Can I go to a doctor in Austria if I don’t have health insurance?
In principle, you can still see a doctor in Austria even if you don’t have health insurance. That said, if you can’t provide evidence of your health insurance in the form of an e-card, you’ll normally have to pay the costs of any treatment out of pocket. If you can’t afford it, the doctor in question is only obliged to treat you in an emergency.
When do I get statutory sick pay?
If you’re an employee, you’ll receive sick pay starting on the fourth day that you’re off work, and by statutory law, you can get it for up to 26 weeks. If you ’re self-employed, you have to be unable to work for at least 42 consecutive days to receive sick pay — but luckily, it’s then applied retroactively starting from the fourth day and lasting for up to 20 weeks.
What happens to your health insurance in Austria after you’ve left your job?
When you leave a job in Austria, you’re entitled to be treated by your doctor for up to six weeks; this period is covered by your health insurer. You’re also entitled to sick pay for up to three weeks after you’ve left your job. It doesn’t matter who ended the employment relationship — the health insurance provider covers the costs during this time.
How can I find my regional insurance company?
It used to be the case in Austria that people were designated to a statutory health insurance provider based on their region of residence. But after the structural social security reform on January 1, 2020, regional health insurance funds have become a thing of the past. Now, your profession determines your health insurance provider.
How many health insurance companies are there in Austria?
Until the social insurance reform of January 1, 2020, there were 21 health insurance providers, including nine regional medical insurance companies of the federated states, and five company health insurance funds. Since 2020, Austria has been home to three health insurance funds:
Following the fund reform in 2020, employees (excluding the self-employed) are no longer covered by the various regional funds. Instead, they are covered by the Österreichische Gesundheitskasse. With 7.6 million policyholders, it’s the largest health insurer in Austria. It’s primarily funded by contributions from employers, employees, and pensioners. Insured benefits include obstetrics and gynecology, dental care, and rehabilitation. When you seek medical help from contractual partners, they bill their services directly using your health insurance card. If you go to a doctor of your choice, you can submit the invoice to your health insurer and receive a partial refund.
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Which Austrian health insurance provider is suitable for me?
Your health insurance situation differs depending on whether you’re an employee, self-employed, a student, or a cross-border commuter in Austria. It’s often possible to determine which provider is right for you based on the insurer’s name. That said, there are instances where it’s not so easy to determine which insurer is suitable for whom. Here’s a summary of the key differences.
Which health insurance do self-employed workers in Austria need?
If you’re self-employed or afreelancer, you need to take out insurance with the Sozialversicherungsanstalt für Selbstständige (SVS) if your annual profits in 2024 are more than €6,221.28. Health insurance contributions have to be paid directly by self-employed workers and freelancers, with the SVS setting the precise amount on a quarterly basis. The SVS is also responsible for farmers running agricultural enterprises.
Which health insurance is suitable for students in Austria?
Austrian students at universities can also opt to be self-insured. Don’t worry: This doesn’t mean you need to have tons of savings in yourstudent account. Student health insurance in Austria costs as little as €69.13 a month (as of 2024). If you come from a different European country and want to study in Austria, you can simply continue to use your plan here. That said, you’ll need a European health insurance card, so make sure to apply for this before your move in case you don’t have it already.
What’s the situation with health insurance in Austria for expats?
As mentioned, health insurance is mandatory in Austria — even expats need to have it, regardless of their residence status. If you’re an expat employed by an Austrian employer, they’ll generally deal with your health insurance for you.
Do cross-border commuters need Austrian health insurance?
If you’re a cross-border commuter, you’re not obligated to take out health insurance in Austria. In other words, if you live in Austria but work in Germany, you don’t need to have health insurance in Austria. Instead, you should be covered by health insurance in the country where you work. In our example, you’d need to have health insurance in Germany, regardless of where you live.
Should I have travel medical insurance in Austria?
You’re not obligated to have travel medical insurance in Austria. However, it might be useful to take out travel medical insurance if you’re doing an internship abroad in Austria. Even if you’re a permanent resident in Austria, travel medical insurance might come in handy — for instance, if you’re a frequent traveler. Depending on the insurer, this type of insurance provides coverage for emergency care, transport, medication, and other services. The costs depend on the insurance provider and the benefits included. With N26 You or Metal, you’ll get comprehensive travel insurance on top of your bank account, covering up to €1,000,000 in case of medical emergencies as well as baggage loss and travel delays. Monthly costs are €9.90 for You and €16.90 for Metal. Compare plans to see all features and benefits at a glance.
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