Health Insurance Costs In Austria: What You Need To Know

Health insurance is mandatory in Austria, and the cost varies depending on your age, employment status and whether you opt for public or private insurance. Private health insurance is considerably more expensive than public insurance, and the older you are, the more you will have to pay. For example, a plan for children under 18 can cost around €30 per month, while the same plan for people aged 65 and over can cost between €450 and €500 per month.

Private health insurance costs

Austrian students at universities can opt to be self-insured, which costs as little as €69.13 a month. Students who have access to the regional healthcare system can expect to pay around €24.42 a month for health insurance.

For most health services, employed people and farmers are likely to benefit for free from the moment they begin receiving care. For outpatient visits, you may have to pay between 10 and 20% of the overall cost for contracted physicians. Treatment from a contracted healthcare provider is 100% covered, while treatment from a non-contracted service is 80% covered. Reimbursements are calculated based on the statutory insurance rate, not the full amount billed by the doctor. For example, if a doctor charges €150 and the statutory insurance rate is €40, you will have to pay the remaining €110.

Student health insurance costs

Health insurance is mandatory in Austria, even for expats, regardless of their residence status.

Student health insurance in Austria costs as little as €69.13 a month (as of 2024). Students who have access to the regional healthcare system can expect to pay around €24.42 a month. The cost of private health insurance can be considerably higher.

If you are an EU student, you can continue to use your existing plan in Austria, but you will need a European Health Insurance Card.

Austrian SHI funds negotiate and form contracts with a number of health services based on quality and price. Treatment from a contracted healthcare provider is 100% covered, while treatment from a non-contracted service is 80% covered. Reimbursements are calculated based on the statutory insurance rate, not the full amount billed by the doctor. If a doctor charges €150 and the statutory insurance rate is €40, you will have to pay the remaining €110. If you see a non-contracted specialist, the SHI fund only pays for 80% of the statutory rate.

For most health services, employed people and farmers are likely to benefit for free from the moment they begin receiving care. For outpatient visits, you may have to pay between 10 and 20% of the overall cost for contracted physicians.

Public spending on healthcare

Health insurance is mandatory in Austria, and public spending on healthcare was about €22 billion (30.3 billion USD) in 2011, which is about 7% of GDP and 25% of social expenditure. This spending covered outpatient and inpatient care, as well as income support for employers due to illness.

The Austrian SHI funds negotiate with health services based on quality and price, and treatment from a contracted healthcare provider is 100% covered. Treatment from a non-contracted service is 80% covered, and reimbursements are calculated based on the statutory insurance rate, not the full amount billed by the doctor. For example, if a doctor charges €150 and the statutory insurance rate is €40, the patient will have to pay the remaining €110.

Private health insurance companies in Austria offer different plans with varying prices depending on age. A plan for children under 18 can cost around €30 per month, while the same plan for people 65 and older can cost about €450-500 per month. Student health insurance costs around €24.42-€69.13 per month.

Self-employed health insurance

Health insurance is mandatory in Austria, and self-employed people are covered under the Act on Social Insurance for the Self-Employed (GSVG). The cost of health insurance in Austria varies depending on age, with older people paying more. Private health insurance companies offer different plans with different prices, and the cost of private health insurance can be considerably higher than the regional healthcare system. For example, a plan for children under 18 can cost around €30 per month, while the same plan for people 65 and older can cost about €450 to €500 per month.

Student health insurance in Austria costs as little as €69.13 a month, and students who have access to the regional healthcare system pay around €24.42 a month.

For most health services, employed people and farmers are likely to benefit for free from the moment they begin receiving care. For outpatient visits, you may have to pay between 10 and 20% of the overall cost for contracted physicians. Treatment from a contracted healthcare provider is 100% covered, while treatment from a non-contracted service is 80% covered. Reimbursements are calculated based on the statutory insurance rate, not the full amount billed by the doctor. For example, if a doctor charges €150 and the statutory insurance rate is €40, you will have to pay the remaining €110. If you see a non-contracted specialist, the SHI fund only pays for 80% of the statutory rate.

Treatment costs

For most health services, employed people and farmers are likely to benefit for free from the moment they begin receiving care. For outpatient visits, patients may have to pay between 10 and 20% of the overall cost for contracted physicians. Self-employed people are covered under the Act on Social Insurance for the Self-Employed (GSVG).

The cost of health insurance in Austria varies depending on age and plan choice. Private health insurance companies usually offer several different plans with different prices for different age groups. The older the person, the more they must pay. For example, a plan for children under 18 can cost around €30 per month, while the same plan for people 65 and older can cost about €450 to €500 per month. Student health insurance costs as little as €69.13 a month, while the health insurance premium for students with access to the regional healthcare system is around €24.42 a month.

Frequently asked questions