Lexi Webster
Austria has a two-tier healthcare system, where all residents are entitled to publicly funded care, and can optionally purchase supplementary private health insurance. Healthcare in Austria is considered a fundamental right, and the country's public healthcare system provides excellent healthcare for the vast majority of its citizens. The public healthcare system is funded by the sickness insurance fund, Krankenkasse, and operates similarly to the US federalism system. All insured persons are issued an e-card, which must be presented when visiting a doctor, and allows for the digitisation of health claims.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Healthcare Philosophy | Austria considers healthcare a fundamental right. |
| Healthcare System | Two-tier system with publicly funded care and optional private insurance. |
| Public Healthcare Coverage | Approximately 99% of Austrian residents are covered by the public healthcare system. |
| Public Healthcare Eligibility | Automatic for employed individuals and their families, pensioners, and students. |
| Private Healthcare Coverage | "Special Class" or "Comfort Class" with shorter wait times, exclusive physicians, and private rooms. |
| Private Healthcare Eligibility | Available to anyone, with some services restricted to private insurance holders. |
| Healthcare Funding | Funded by sickness insurance fund (Krankenkasse) and public debt. |
| Healthcare Cost | 11.2% of GDP in 2015, fifth-highest in Europe. |
| Healthcare Quality | Generally excellent, with low prescription costs and high hospital admissions. |
| Healthcare Accessibility | High density of hospitals and physicians, with some disparities in rural areas. |
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What You'll Learn
Public vs private healthcare
Austria has a two-tier healthcare system, with a strong weighting on hospital care. The public healthcare system provides comprehensive coverage, including general practitioner visits, hospitalization, specialist treatments, maternity care, vaccinations, and prescription medications. The cost of public insurance is based on income and is not related to individual medical history or risk factors. The public system ensures broad access to care, with a high density of easily accessible healthcare facilities.
However, waiting times for certain specialist treatments can vary depending on demand and location, with rural regions experiencing longer wait times than urban areas. For instance, the average waiting time for a public ophthalmology appointment is 44 days, and it's 57 days for radiology. In addition, hospital rooms can be shared by up to eight or nine patients.
Private healthcare in Austria complements the public system, offering faster access to specialists, private hospital rooms, and additional services. Private health insurance in Austria is mainly supplementary, covering benefits such as shorter waiting times, access to exclusive physicians, private hospital rooms, and additional services like travel insurance and subsidised gym memberships. Private insurers also offer plans tailored to expatriates and professionals seeking additional coverage.
While Austria's public healthcare system is universal, about 99% of residents are covered by some form of health insurance, with many residents opting for supplementary private insurance to enhance their coverage. The cost of healthcare in Austria is rising, and out-of-pocket payments for healthcare increased to 28% of health expenditures by 2008.
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Eligibility and registration
Austria's healthcare system is considered a fundamental right, and everyone can access medical care to some degree. Healthcare in Austria is universal for residents of Austria as well as those from other EU countries.
Austrian law mandates that healthcare is a right for all individuals. Healthcare coverage is linked to employment, and individuals become eligible and are automatically registered for healthcare upon employment. They are then included in the insurance fund known as Krankenkasse, which covers healthcare, pensions, and unemployment.
Foreign workers must register for public insurance when they have regular employment with an Austrian employer. Freelancers and employees of international companies may voluntarily opt for public insurance. Job seekers with a valid residence permit can choose to register for public health insurance.
Foreign students can take out student self-insurance, which requires residence in Austria and confirmation of admission or continuation of studies from the institution of higher education. The premium is approximately €24.42 per month for students with access to the regional healthcare system.
Foreign pensioners can voluntarily register for public insurance when they relocate to Austria. They may also use their home country's public healthcare rights by filling out an S1 form or opt for private health insurance.
Expats from the EU/EFTA/UK can use their EHIC/GHIC card to access public healthcare. Expats from outside the EU/EFTA/UK must have valid health insurance to obtain a visa for Austria. All minor children are eligible for public health insurance, and their policies are linked to those of their parents or guardians.
Asylum seekers, refugees, and those without legal residence are guaranteed access to essential medical help. Refugees are automatically insured with public health insurance unless free co-insurance with relatives is possible.
In addition to public insurance, anyone can seek voluntary cover for health and pension insurance. Patients with private insurance have access to more physicians and shorter waiting times. Private insurance also covers treatments, medications, and other medical products not included in public insurance.
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Cost and insurance coverage
Austria has a two-tier healthcare system where everyone can access medical care to some degree. Healthcare in Austria is universal for residents, as well as those from other EU countries. The public healthcare system covers approximately 99% of people living in Austria, and the system is financed in part with public debt. The nation's health programs are funded by the sickness insurance fund, known as the Krankenkasse.
The cost of healthcare in Austria was 11.2% of GDP in 2015, the fifth-highest in Europe. Out-of-pocket payments for healthcare increased to 28% of health expenditures by 2008. Patients themselves must pay for some services, such as treatment by private doctors, in private hospitals, and dental treatments. However, part of these costs will be reimbursed by their health insurance fund. In the event of hospitalisation, a certain sum is payable by the patient for each day spent in hospital.
Public insurance only covers certain cases and treatments, and only up to the statutory insurance rate. Private health insurance can be beneficial, providing quicker access to specialised treatments, shorter waiting times, and a broader range of care providers. Some private insurance packages include inpatient treatment, while others may need to be purchased separately. With private insurance, you will also be covered for medication and other medical products, such as glasses and contact lenses, with no extra charge.
In Austria, health insurance is mandatory for residents whose income is from Austria, including freelancers and pensioners. Foreign workers with an Austrian employer must register for public insurance. Foreign students and pensioners can sign up voluntarily. Students can take out student self-insurance, which costs around €24.42 a month. Self-insured students must pay an insurance fee of €52.68 per month.
All insured persons are issued an e-card, which must be presented when visiting a doctor. The e-card comes with an annual service charge of €13.80, although this does not apply to certain groups, such as pensioners and those in military service.
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Finding a doctor
Austria has a very high standard of healthcare and is well-known for its highly skilled doctors. The country has the second-highest density of practising physicians in the European Union after Greece.
In Austria, you can visit any doctor you wish to see. You can find a doctor through the Medical Association for Vienna, which provides information on doctors in all regions of the country and different medical subsections. You can also find a general practitioner in your area through Doctena, which provides a list of doctors in Austria.
If you are an English speaker, you can search for doctors who list English as a second language on Praxisplan, an index of doctors practising in Vienna. This site also allows you to filter doctors by specialties and services provided. The U.S. Embassy in Austria also provides a list of English-speaking doctors in Vienna.
Once you've found a general practitioner in your area, you can book a medical check-up. This is usually covered by insurance and is a good way to establish a relationship with your doctor and get acquainted with the system. It is always recommended to make an appointment in advance, as waiting times can be long. You can make an appointment with a quick phone call to the individual clinic.
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Emergency care
Austria's emergency medical services are provided by individual municipalities, cities, and counties. The Austrian states are legally responsible for providing emergency services but typically delegate these responsibilities to the individual community level.
Austria's emergency numbers are:
- 122 for the fire brigade
- 133 for the police
- 144 or 112 for an ambulance
- 140 for mountain rescue
- 141 for a GP to make house calls
These numbers are free of charge and can be reached from a payphone without money or from a mobile phone without a SIM card.
In an emergency, you can go directly to a public hospital's emergency department. Show your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and ID, and ask the hospital to check with the health insurance fund that your medical costs will be covered.
Austria's healthcare system provides free access to basic healthcare for all its citizens and residents, including tourists and temporary visitors. Basic healthcare includes treatment in public hospitals, basic dental services, medication, and some specialist consultations.
Austria's emergency medical services are called Rettungsdienst or Rettung. The Austrian Red Cross provides EMS, as do other organisations such as:
- Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund Österreichs (Labor-Samaritan-Alliance)
- Malteser Hospitaldienst Austria (the Austrian organisation of the Order of Malta Ambulance Corps)
- Johanniter-Unfall-Hilfe (the Austrian organisation of the St. John Ambulance)
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Frequently asked questions
Austria has a two-tier healthcare system. All residents of Austria and those from other EU countries are entitled to publicly funded care, but they can also purchase supplementary private health insurance.
If you are employed in Austria, you are automatically registered for public healthcare. If you are unemployed or earning below the marginal earnings threshold, you can opt for co-insurance through a family member's policy or voluntary self-insurance. Foreign job seekers from the EU/EFTA/UK can use their EHIC/GHIC card to access public healthcare. Those from outside the EU/EFTA/UK must have valid health insurance to get a visa for Austria.
Public healthcare in Austria is funded by the sickness insurance fund, Krankenkasse, which is financed in part by public debt. In 2013, it took 11.0% of the GDP, which was above the EU average of 7.8% of GDP. There is an annual charge for the e-card (social insurance card), which was €13.80 in 2025.
Private healthcare in Austria offers benefits such as shorter waiting times, more treatment options, and access to exclusive physicians. It can also include perks such as free dental care, travel insurance, and subsidised gym memberships.
You can purchase private health insurance from one of the eight Austrian private insurers or numerous international insurers.
