Leslie Massey
Austria is known for having one of the best health insurance systems in the world. Health insurance is mandatory in the country, and all residents must pay contributions for medical care to a local insurance institution. Since 2005, Austria has issued e-cards to verify insurance coverage. The e-card is also a European Health Insurance Card, entitling the holder to free treatment at all state healthcare facilities throughout the EU. Here is a guide on how to obtain an e-card in Austria.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who is eligible for an e-card? | Anyone who is employed, including school and university students, as well as pensioners. |
| Who issues the e-card? | Austrian social insurance institutions. |
| When is the e-card issued? | After registering with the social insurance. |
| What documents are required to obtain an e-card? | A photo, Austrian passport, Austrian identity card, Austrian driving license in a credit-card format, or a document from the register of foreign nationals. |
| What is the validity of the e-card? | Not mentioned explicitly, but implied to be as long as the holder is insured. |
| What is the cost of the e-card? | Not mentioned explicitly, but implied to be free as it is issued automatically. |
| What is the purpose of the e-card? | It is the key to Austria's healthcare system, providing access to free healthcare when living in Austria. |
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What You'll Learn
Requirements for getting an e-card
To get an e-card in Austria, you must be a resident of the country. This means that you are staying in the country for more than six months. If you are in Austria for a shorter period, travel health insurance is likely sufficient.
Once you are considered a resident, you will need to register with one of the local insurance institutions (Sozialversicherungsträger). Your employer is responsible for registering you with the relevant social insurance office. You will then receive a social insurance number.
If you are from a country with a social insurance agreement with Austria, you will need to bring an A3 form for short stays (no more than three months) and an A4 form for stays as a primary resident (Hauptwohnsitz).
Since 2005, all insured persons and their co-insured family members have received the e-card. The e-card is issued and sent automatically after registering with the social insurance institution. It is your personal key to Austria's healthcare system and should be presented when visiting a doctor.
Since 1 January 2020, new e-cards are only being issued with a photo due to legislative changes. If there is no photo of you available and no exception applies, it is not possible to issue a new e-card. In this case, you can still visit a doctor with your social insurance number and a photo ID.
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How to book an appointment for an e-card photo
The e-card is a confirmation of your health insurance in Austria. It is an electronic insurance card that contains all personal details relevant to your insurance provider. Since 2020, all e-cards must be issued with a photo.
To book an appointment for an e-card photo, you must first determine whether you are an Austrian citizen or not. If you are not an Austrian citizen, you must bring your travel documents, such as a passport or ID. Additionally, if you are not an Austrian citizen, you can book an appointment for your e-card photo online. The online booking service is available in English.
For your appointment, you must bring a photo that meets the passport photo requirements and is no older than six months. You should also bring your Austrian social insurance number or your current e-card if it has no picture. If you are not an Austrian citizen, you do not need to bring a photo, as your travel documents will be used for identification.
If you do not have a photo available, you can still receive medical treatment in Austria with your social insurance number and ID. However, you will be informed that you must submit a photo the next time you visit a doctor or contact your social insurance institution. A transition period of 150 days, regulated by law, will start from the first request, during which you can continue to receive medical treatment with your social insurance number and ID. After the transition period, you will need a temporary electronic replacement voucher for doctor's visits, which can be issued by your responsible health insurance institution upon application.
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What to bring to your appointment
To obtain an e-card in Austria, you will need to register with the social insurance office. Here is a list of what to bring to your appointment:
- For Austrian citizens: Bring a valid form of photo ID, such as an Austrian passport, Austrian identity card, or Austrian driving licence. If you are over 14 and under 70 years of age, this is required to obtain your e-card.
- For non-Austrian citizens: Bring your travel documents, such as your passport or ID. If you are from a country with a social insurance agreement with Austria, bring the relevant forms (A3 for short stays of up to 3 months, and A4 for stays as a primary resident).
- For all applicants: Ensure you have your social insurance number. If you don't know this, contact your social insurance institution before your appointment. If you are employed, your employer should have registered you with the relevant social insurance office, and provided you with your social insurance number.
- Proof of address: If your postal address is outside of Austria, contact your social insurance institution to ensure your e-card can be delivered abroad.
- A recent photograph: Since 2020, new e-cards have been issued with a photo. If no photo is available, an e-card cannot be issued. If you are visiting a doctor and do not have an e-card, you can use your social insurance number and photo ID.
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What to do if your e-card is lost or stolen
If your e-card is lost, stolen, or damaged, you should take immediate action to mitigate any potential security and financial risks. Here is a step-by-step guide on what to do:
- Contact the Austrian Social Security Funds: Reach out to the service line of the Austrian social security funds by calling +43 1 (0)50124 33 11. This number is charged at the local call rate, and no additional area code is required when calling from within Austria. Request a new e-card and inquire about any necessary blocking or replacement fees.
- Report the Loss or Theft: It is essential to formally report the loss or theft of your e-card. You can do this by filing a lost property report or theft report with the appropriate authorities. This step helps protect you from any unauthorized use or identity theft.
- Monitor Your Financial Activity: Keep a close eye on your financial transactions and accounts, especially those linked to your e-card or healthcare. Look out for any suspicious activity and report it immediately to your financial institution. This proactive step can help minimize the potential financial impact of theft or fraud.
- Update Your Information: Once you receive your replacement e-card, update your information with relevant parties, such as your healthcare providers and insurance institutions. Ensure they have your new e-card details to maintain uninterrupted access to healthcare services.
- Consider Additional Security Measures: This incident may be a good opportunity to review and strengthen your security practices. Consider enabling additional security features on your new e-card, such as a Personal Identification Number (PIN) or password protection, if available. Also, review your financial and personal information security protocols to prevent future incidents.
Remember, your e-card is your key to Austria's healthcare system, and it contains sensitive personal and insurance information. Taking prompt and thorough action in the event of loss or theft is crucial to safeguarding your personal information and maintaining access to essential services.
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How to access healthcare without an e-card
If you are a UK national living in Austria, you can access Austrian healthcare in the following ways:
- Paying for state health insurance through your employer.
- Using a UK-issued Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for temporary stays when studying or as a posted worker.
- Registering a UK-issued S1 form with the state insurance fund.
- Applying for a Student GHIC to get necessary healthcare services on the same basis as an Austrian citizen, either for free or at a reduced cost.
If you are a non-Austrian citizen without an e-card, you can access healthcare in Austria with your social insurance number and ID. If you do not have a photo available, you will be informed by your doctor or insurance institution that you have 150 days to submit one. During this transition period, you can access medical treatment with your social insurance number and ID. After the transition period, you will need a temporary electronic replacement voucher for doctors' visits, which can be issued by your health insurance institution.
If you are a resident of Austria with a permit to live there as a family member of someone working in the country, you can be co-insured with them. They will need to contact their insurance provider and let them know, and you will need to present a marriage/partnership certificate or birth certificate. Once confirmed, you can apply for your e-card via their website.
If you are a student from an EU/EEA country, you can use the European Health Insurance Card to access healthcare in Austria for stays up to 6 months.
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Frequently asked questions
If you are staying in Austria for more than six months, you are considered a resident and are required to pay contributions to a local insurance institution. You will then receive an e-card, which will give you access to free healthcare. You don't need to apply for the e-card as it will be sent to you automatically.
Since 2020, all e-cards must be issued with a photo. If you don't have a photo on your e-card, you will be informed that you need to submit one. You will then have 150 days to visit a registration office and submit a photo. After this transition period, you will need a temporary electronic replacement voucher for doctors' visits.
If you don't have an e-card, you can still see a doctor with your Austrian social insurance number and a photo ID. If you don't know your social insurance number, you can ask your social insurance institution.
Report the loss or theft to your health insurance company or the e-card service line on 050 124 33 11. Your old e-card will be blocked, and a new one will be sent to you within a few days.
