Austria's Healthcare System: A Comprehensive Overview

Austria is known for its high-quality healthcare system, which is accessible to almost all of its citizens. The country's two-tiered healthcare system comprises a public healthcare system and a supplementary private healthcare system. The public system covers approximately 99% of the population, with 75% of it funded by public taxes. The remaining 25% can opt for private insurance, which offers benefits such as shorter waiting times, exclusive physicians, and private rooms. Austria's healthcare system is ranked highly worldwide and is known for its universal coverage, high-quality care, and free choice of providers.

Public vs private healthcare

Austria has a two-tier healthcare system, which blends public access and private options seamlessly. The public sector offers almost universal medical coverage, and healthcare is considered a fundamental right. However, many residents opt for private health insurance to access better care more quickly.

Public Healthcare

Public healthcare in Austria is accessible to Austrian citizens at little to no cost. Enrollment in the public healthcare system is generally automatic and is linked to employment. It is also guaranteed to co-insured persons (spouses and dependents), pensioners, students, the disabled, and those receiving unemployment benefits. Enrollment is compulsory, and the cost of public insurance is based on income, not individual medical history or risk factors.

Public healthcare covers essential treatments that are necessary and purposeful, including doctor visits, mandatory vaccinations, hospital and emergency care, and dental checkups. However, there may be small co-payments for prescription medications and hospitalization.

Private Healthcare

Private healthcare in Austria offers additional coverage, a wider choice of healthcare providers, and higher levels of comfort and care. Private insurance also provides shorter waiting times, direct access to specialists, and more efficient medical care. For example, prenatal diagnostics during pregnancy are not covered by public insurance unless the patient is high-risk. Private insurance also offers sickness and death benefits.

Private healthcare is a good option for expats who travel frequently and need medical coverage in multiple countries. However, visiting a private clinic without insurance will incur large out-of-pocket costs.

Who can access healthcare in Austria?

Austria's healthcare system is inclusive and accessible to all. Healthcare is considered a fundamental right, and the system covers virtually all Austrian citizens, as well as those from other EU countries.

• Austrian citizens: All Austrian citizens can access the public healthcare system, which covers nearly everyone in the country.
• EU/EEA citizens: Citizens of other EU/EEA countries can access healthcare in Austria. They can use their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) to receive treatment.
• International students: Foreign students can apply for public healthcare voluntarily. Self-insured students must pay an insurance fee, which is around €50 per month.
• Foreign workers: Foreign workers with regular employment in Austria must register for public insurance. Their employers are responsible for enrolling them in the correct institution.
• Job seekers: Individuals with a valid residence permit can voluntarily register for public health insurance. Those who are involuntarily unemployed and receiving government benefits are required to register for public health insurance.
• Foreign pensioners: Foreign pensioners with a valid residence permit can voluntarily enrol in the public healthcare system.
• Asylum seekers and refugees: Asylum seekers and refugees must enrol in the public healthcare system. They are guaranteed access to essential medical help.
• Spouses and dependents: Spouses and underage dependents of employed individuals are considered "co-insured" and are covered by the public healthcare system.
• Low-income residents: Low-income residents are exempt from out-of-pocket payments for certain medications and may receive additional support.

Austria's healthcare system is designed to ensure that everyone can access the medical care they need, regardless of their background or ability to pay. The system provides universal coverage and protects all members of society, demonstrating a commitment to inclusivity and the well-being of its residents and visitors.

How is Austrian healthcare funded?

Austrian healthcare is funded by a combination of government spending and social health insurance. In 2024, employees contributed 3.87% of their net income to healthcare, and medical insurance is mandatory for selected groups. However, it is not compulsory for everyone, and some people may choose to take out voluntary public or private insurance.

Austria has a two-tier healthcare system, with a public health service and a large network of private healthcare providers. The public system is funded by the sickness insurance fund, known as the Krankenkasse, which took 11% of the GDP in 2013, above the EU average of 7.8%. The cost of public insurance is based on income and is not related to individual medical history or risk factors.

The Austrian healthcare system is decentralised, with each of the nine states and the federal government having specific roles and legal limitations. The Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs develops the framework for the services offered and manages the Krankenkasse fund. The provinces are responsible for managing and providing care.

The Austrian healthcare system is considered universal, with virtually all individuals receiving publicly funded care. However, some people may choose to purchase supplementary private health insurance or pay for their care privately.

What does public healthcare cover?

Austria's public healthcare system is comprehensive, covering virtually all health care needs, regardless of age or background. The system is funded by the sickness insurance fund, known as the Krankenkasse, and operates on a two-tier system, where individuals can opt for supplementary private health insurance.

Public healthcare in Austria covers four pathways: precautionary, maternity, therapeutic aids, and illness.

Precautionary

Precautionary healthcare includes vaccinations, remedies and treatment, lifestyle advice, health checks, health at work, and recovery.

Maternity

Maternity healthcare encompasses childbirth, parental leave benefits, child allowance, and maternity allowance.

Therapeutic Aids

Therapeutic aids are provided for the incapacity for work, accidents at work, treatment after accidents at work, and occupational diseases.

Illness

Illness healthcare includes work-related illness, doctor visits, mental illness treatments, and support with serious health problems.

Public healthcare in Austria also covers dental check-ups, x-rays, selected fillings, and tooth removal. Additionally, medically necessary braces for children and removable dentures for seniors are also covered. However, other oral procedures, such as composite fillings and certain prosthetics, are considered private dental treatments and are not included in public health benefits.

In terms of hospitalisation, there is a charge for each day spent in the hospital, and patients are required to pay for their hospital stay. However, emergency care is covered by public healthcare.

Pros and cons of the Austrian healthcare system

Pros of the Austrian Healthcare System

• Austria's healthcare system is universal, providing coverage for residents and those from other EU countries.
• It is a two-tier system, with publicly funded care available to all, and the option to purchase supplementary private health insurance for more flexible visiting hours and private doctors.
• The system is easy to access, with good quality care available to everyone.
• The Austrian healthcare system has a good reputation. In 2023, the Legatum Prosperity Index ranked the country 22nd best in the world, with a score of 80.2/100.
• According to the EC 2023 country health profile, the healthcare system covers 99.9% of the population, with only 0.1% being underserved.
• Austria has a high density of hospitals and physicians. In 2011, there were 4.7 physicians per 1000 people, which is above the European average.
• Austria has a relatively high number of hospital beds and one of the highest bed/patient ratios in Europe.
• The cost of pharmaceutical drugs in Austria is low compared to the rest of Europe.
• Austria's healthcare system is decentralised, with each of the nine states and the federal government having specific roles.
• The system is funded by the sickness insurance fund, which took 11% of the GDP in 2013, above the EU average of 7.8%.
• Healthcare is mandatory for residents with income from Austria, including freelancers and pensioners.
• The system provides universal coverage for a wide range of benefits and high-quality care.
• Free choice of providers and unrestricted access to all care levels are characteristic features of the system.
• Population satisfaction is well above the EU average.
• Austria's healthcare system is ranked 9th globally by the World Health Organization (WHO).
• The system covers four specific areas: illness, maternity, precautionary, and therapeutic aid.
• Tourists with a European Health Insurance Card can access public healthcare, including basic doctor's visits, dental services, and emergency hospital visits.
• Austria's healthcare system is highly rated for both quality and access, with a Healthcare Access and Quality (HAQ) index score of 88.
• The system covers all essential treatments that are necessary and purposeful.
• Healthcare is considered a fundamental right in Austria. Asylum seekers, refugees, and those without legal residence are guaranteed access to essential medical help.
• Prescription costs are relatively low for medicine on the "positive list".
• Family members and spouses of employed people are covered.
• Austria offers more mandatory maternity leave before birth at 100% payment than any other EU country.
• The average cost of private health insurance is relatively affordable at approximately 220 EUR (243 USD) per month.

Cons of the Austrian Healthcare System

• Income-related inequality in health has increased since 2005, although it is still relatively low compared to other countries.
• There are important structural imbalances in healthcare provision, with an oversized hospital sector and insufficient resources for ambulatory care and preventive medicine.
• There are stark regional differences in the utilisation of curative and preventative services.
• There are clear social inequalities in the use of medical services, such as preventive health check-ups, immunisation, or dentistry.
• One of the key weaknesses of the system is in the prevention of illness, with spending on preventive medicine significantly lower than the EU15 and OECD averages.
• There are long waiting times for elective surgery, with patients with statutory health insurance waiting up to four times longer than those with private insurance.
• Some of the best physicians are only available if you have private medical insurance.
• There are longer waiting times with public health insurance.
• Hospital rooms can be shared by up to eight or nine patients.
• Abortion is not carried out in the public healthcare system, reducing its rank in international comparisons.
• The Austrian healthcare system has been criticised for inadequate coordination due to the delegation of responsibilities to self-governing stakeholders.
• The system has high costs, with healthcare spending as a percentage of GDP above the EU average.
• Out-of-pocket payments for healthcare increased during the economic crisis, reaching 28% of health expenditures by 2008.
• There is a lack of primary care coordination and aftercare support, which may lead to negative patient outcomes.
• There is a lack of clear delineation between primary and secondary doctors, making access points challenging for patients.
• The system suffers from high rates of tobacco use, with smoking permitted in restaurants and bars until 2015.
• The population suffers disproportionately from tobacco-related health concerns and cardiovascular disease.

Frequently asked questions