Lyla Lindsey
Austria has a highly inclusive healthcare system, with a vast majority of people covered by public health insurance. This makes it easy to access doctors, whether you need a quick consultation or a specialist's expertise. In fact, Austria has the second-highest density of practicing physicians in the European Union. In this article, we will outline the steps you need to take to see a doctor in Austria, including information on insurance, finding a doctor, and what to expect during your visit.
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What You'll Learn
- Language barriers: English is widely spoken, but German is the primary language
- Health insurance: Compulsory health insurance makes healthcare affordable or free
- Emergencies: Call emergency services or head to the nearest emergency room
- General practitioners: GPs are the first point of contact for non-emergency cases
- Specialist referrals: A GP will refer you to a specialist if required
Language barriers: English is widely spoken, but German is the primary language
Austria has a dual system of medical training, which ensures that doctors are highly skilled. The country is recognised for its high standard of healthcare, which is accessible and affordable. In fact, Austria has the second-highest density of practising physicians in the European Union.
While English is widely spoken in Austria, German is the primary language. Paramedics, for example, speak German principally, and only a few doctors speak Arabic, Farsi, or English. It is recommended that you take an interpreter with you if you need to visit a doctor who does not speak your language.
If you are a tourist, you can use the Air Doctor app to make an appointment with a medical professional connected to an international network of doctors. You can also use the app to find an English-speaking dentist. The American Embassy also hosts a list of English-speaking doctors in Vienna. Additionally, pharmacists can give you advice for minor illnesses and should speak English well enough to assist you.
It is worth noting that, in Austria, patients are not usually required to go to the hospital unless there is a severe injury or serious surgery. The medical system relies on patients seeking out a general practitioner who will provide treatment or refer patients to a specialist.
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Health insurance: Compulsory health insurance makes healthcare affordable or free
Austria is considered to have one of the best health insurance systems in the world, with nearly 99% of residents covered. The country's health service is organised by region, with regional authorities (Gebietskrankenkassen) known as the GKK.
Health insurance is mandatory in Austria for those meeting certain criteria. These include salaried employees, public employees, self-employed people, and farmers. In addition, anyone can seek voluntary health insurance coverage. As soon as you start employment, you are automatically covered by insurance, and this also extends to school and university students.
The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) enables holders to access state-provided healthcare at a reduced cost or sometimes for free. It covers treatment for pre-existing medical conditions and routine maternity care, as long as the visit to the country is not specifically to give birth. The EHIC does not cover private health treatment, so ensure your provider has a contract with the GKK regional health insurance.
In Austria, every insured person has an E-Card, a card with a microchip that must be brought to all doctor examinations. It serves as proof of insurance status and gives doctors access to your electronic health record (ELGA). The E-Card gives universal access to the public system of hospitals, doctors, and treatment centres throughout the country.
With health insurance, you can visit most doctors in Austria and be sure of getting treatment in the case of illness or accidents. However, vouchers are required for visits, and there is a cost of about €3.63 per voucher to be paid by the insured person. In some districts, the number of vouchers per calendar quarter is limited.
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Emergencies: Call emergency services or head to the nearest emergency room
In an emergency, you can call emergency services or head to the nearest emergency room. Austria's healthcare system makes accessing doctors and emergency services easy and efficient. The country has a strong emergency service and response sector, including its own fire brigade, police force, and ambulance service.
If you need to call emergency services, you can use the nationwide emergency number 144, which can be called toll-free from any phone. You can also use the European emergency number, 112, but this will connect you to the nearest police station, which will then pass the information to the EMS provider. If you are driving and come across a medical emergency, you can also call 112 or an ambulance. Additionally, there is a number for road and traffic emergencies: 120. This number connects to the ÖAMTC, which handles incidents on Austrian roads.
If you go directly to the nearest emergency room, you will receive treatment regardless of your insurance status. Under Austrian law, any health organization, public or private, is required to treat patients in an emergency situation, regardless of their insurance. However, they may charge you for their services afterward.
In most cities and counties, there is a service called Ärztefunkdienst or Ärztenotdienst (Physician Home Call Service), which provides a GP to make house calls for all people in the specific area. This service is usually only used for minor illnesses, such as fever or the common cold, where a hospital stay is not necessary but a physician's intervention is advisable.
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General practitioners: GPs are the first point of contact for non-emergency cases
Austria's healthcare system makes it easy to access doctors, whether you need a quick consultation or a specialist's expertise. General practitioners (GPs) are pivotal in primary healthcare, specialising in diagnosing and treating various conditions. They are the first point of contact for non-emergency cases.
GPs in Austria manage vaccinations, conduct blood tests, and oversee ongoing medication management. They also perform health checks, which are done over two dates: the first for blood and urine work, and the second for other examinations. On the second date, your doctor will discuss your results and any recommendations with you.
In Austria, doctors are required to undergo three years of practical training to work as a GP. Most of this training is spent in training hospitals or outpatient departments, with six months in teaching practices. However, there is no compulsory training within general practice, and only a small proportion of GPs have completed practical training within general practice.
Around 80% of the Austrian population is covered by the General Social Security Act (ASVG). There is no freedom of choice regarding which fund to join. Only the self-employed can choose between different health insurance funds. Vouchers are issued by your health insurance fund, and there are different vouchers for general physicians, specialists, or dentists. There is a cost of about €3.63 per voucher, paid by the insured person. In some districts, the number of vouchers per calendar quarter is limited.
If you have health insurance, you can visit most doctors in Austria and be sure of getting treatment in the case of illness or accidents. However, only doctors with contracts with the insurance fund are free to visit. Some doctors only treat privately insured clients, so it is important to check this when making an appointment. Doctors who accept state payments generally display a sign "Kassenarzt" or "Alle Kassen" in their surgery.
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Specialist referrals: A GP will refer you to a specialist if required
Austria's healthcare system makes it easy to access doctors, whether you need a quick consultation or a specialist's expertise. If you have an emergency, head directly to the nearest emergency room. Under Austrian law, any health organisation, public or private, is required to treat patients in an emergency situation, regardless of their insurance status. However, they may charge you for their services afterward.
If your situation is not an emergency, you will need to make an appointment with a general practitioner (GP). In Austria, there is a free choice of doctor; every insured person and their co-insured relatives can choose the doctor they trust at their own discretion. You will need to present your insurance voucher when you see the doctor. The services of specialists are covered by insurance, but a referral from your GP is recommended when you make an appointment. You can only see one specialist per specialty every three months, and you may need a new referral for further examinations.
GPs in Austria provide basic care, including annual health checks, vaccinations, blood tests, and prescriptions, as well as referrals for specialist treatment. If your GP determines that you need to see a specialist, they will refer you to one. This might include additional examinations, such as allergy tests or X-rays.
If you are a visitor to Austria, you may still receive treatment, but you will likely have to pay out of pocket. The cost of seeing a doctor in Austria is typically around €50-80. Some services may be available at a lower cost. Pharmacies can provide advice and medication for minor illnesses.
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Frequently asked questions
You can find a General Practitioner in your neighbourhood online at ww.aerztesuche.at. You can also use the Air Doctor app to find a doctor who speaks your native language. In Vienna, you can search for doctors by language, specialty, and association with health funds on praxisplan.at.
In an emergency, call one of the numbers listed here. These numbers are free of charge and can be dialled from any phone. You can also head directly to the nearest emergency room. Under Austrian law, any health organisation, public or private, is required to treat patients in an emergency situation regardless of their insurance status.
The cost of seeing a doctor in Austria depends on your insurance status. Most Austrians are covered by state-run health insurance, which directly pays the medical facility. However, many services have to be paid extra. If you are a tourist, your travel insurance may cover the cost of treatment, but it is recommended to purchase additional insurance to ensure that all expenses are covered.
