Austria's Healthcare System: Free For All?

Austria's healthcare system is a blend of public access and private options. The public healthcare system is comprehensive and covers virtually all health issues and medication requirements, and protects all members of society. Healthcare in Austria is free for pensioners, unemployed people on benefits, and those unable to work. However, most people have to pay a small amount in social contributions to be eligible for state-funded health insurance.

Who can access free healthcare in Austria?

Austria's healthcare system is inclusive and accessible to all. The system covers all members of society, including spouses and children of workers. Healthcare in Austria is free for pensioners, spouses of workers, those out of work and claiming unemployment benefits, and people who are unable to work.

Austria has a two-tier healthcare system, with publicly funded care available to all residents, and the option to purchase supplementary private health insurance. Healthcare is considered a fundamental right in Austria, and the system is universal for Austrian residents and those from other EU countries.

Public healthcare is available to all Austrian citizens and EU/EEA citizens. Students from EU/EEA countries can use the European Health Insurance Card to access healthcare in Austria. Self-insured students must pay a monthly insurance fee.

Healthcare in Austria is funded by a mix of general tax revenues and compulsory social health insurance contributions. Income-related social health insurance contributions make up about 60% of publicly financed health expenditures, with the remaining 40% coming from general taxation.

Expats living and working in Austria are automatically covered by the national healthcare scheme by their employer. If unemployed or a freelancer, expats can choose between private health insurance or registering for public insurance.

Healthcare is also guaranteed to students, the disabled, and anyone receiving unemployment benefits.

How is Austrian healthcare funded?

Austria's healthcare system is funded by a mix of general tax revenues and compulsory social health insurance (SHI) contributions. Income-related SHI contributions make up about 60% of publicly financed health expenditures, while the remaining 40% comes from general taxation.

Contributions are pooled by the Main Association of Austrian Social Security Institutions (HVB) and then allocated to SHI funds for payment of healthcare providers.

The federal government is responsible for the legislative framework, including the regulation of SHI. SHI funds have operational responsibility for ambulatory and rehabilitative care outside hospitals and outpatient medicines, and they negotiate contracts with providers.

The states (Länder) regulate hospital care within their jurisdictions, within the framework defined by federal legislation. They are mainly responsible for the organisation and financing of inpatient and outpatient care in hospitals.

While medical insurance is only mandatory for selected population groups in Austria, others can sign up for public or private insurance voluntarily. Employees pay 3.87% of their net income (2024 rate) towards medical insurance.

Public insurance covers all essential treatments deemed necessary, but waiting times can be long, and insurers only cover the statutory insurance rate, not the full amount billed by the doctor. Private insurance offers additional coverage, a wider choice of providers, and higher levels of comfort and care.

What does public healthcare cover?

Austria's public healthcare system covers a wide range of health services and is accessible to nearly all residents. The system is funded by a mix of general tax revenues and compulsory social health insurance (SHI) contributions. Here is a detailed overview of what public healthcare covers in Austria:

Precautionary Care

This includes vaccinations, remedies and treatment, lifestyle advice, health checks, health at work, and recovery. Public healthcare ensures that residents have access to necessary precautionary measures to maintain their health.

Maternity Care

Maternity care encompasses childbirth and parental benefits such as parental leave, child allowance, and maternity allowance. This aspect of public healthcare supports parents and ensures that they receive the necessary assistance during pregnancy and childbirth.

Illness and Doctor Visits

Public healthcare covers doctor visits and treatments for illnesses, including work-related illnesses, mental illness treatments, and support for serious health problems. Residents can access medical care for a range of health conditions without incurring significant financial burden.

Therapeutic Aids

Therapeutic aids are provided for those who are incapable of work due to accidents, occupational diseases, or other health issues. This includes coverage for treatment after accidents at work.

Hospital and Emergency Care

Austria's public healthcare system covers hospital and emergency care. While patients may need to pay for their hospital stay, essential emergency care is covered. This ensures that residents have access to critical care when needed.

Dental Care

Public insurance covers a certain number of dental check-ups per year, as well as specific treatments such as x-rays, selected fillings, and tooth removal. Medically necessary braces for children and removable dentures for seniors are also included.

Specialist Care

Primary care physicians (GPs) act as gatekeepers to specialist care. If needed, residents can access specialist care in hospitals or medical centers without incurring additional costs.

Medication and Prescriptions

While some medications and prescriptions require small co-payments, public healthcare covers a range of essential medications. The specific medications covered may vary, but the system aims to ensure access to necessary treatments.

Overall, Austria's public healthcare system aims to provide comprehensive coverage for its residents, ensuring that they can access a wide range of health services without facing financial barriers. The system is designed to protect all members of society and offer universal healthcare to those who need it.

What are the costs to the general public?

Austria's healthcare system is funded by a mix of general tax revenues and compulsory social health insurance (SHI) contributions. Income-related SHI contributions make up about 60% of publicly financed health expenditures, while the remaining 40% comes from general taxation. The cost of public insurance is based on income and is not related to individual medical history or risk factors.

For most health services, employed people and farmers are likely to benefit for free from the moment they begin receiving care. However, there are some small co-payments for certain medical services. For example, for outpatient visits, patients may have to pay between 10 and 20% of the overall cost for contracted physicians. There is also a cap on payments for self-employed workers, limiting charges for outpatient visits to 5% of their net annual income.

Prescriptions for medicine on the "positive list" cost a little less than €6 (around $7) per item. Employees pay an annual fee of about €11 (around $12) for their e-card, which allows them to have outpatient visits at no extra charge. Self-employed people pay between 10 and 20% of the tariff for outpatient visits. If they meet five personal health goals related to issues such as blood pressure, weight, exercise, tobacco, and alcohol, this goes down to 10%.

Austria's public healthcare system covers virtually all health care needs, no matter the person's age or background. People are covered through four pathways: precautionary, maternity, therapeutic aids, and illness.

Under precautionary coverage, people can access vaccinations, remedies and treatment, lifestyle advice, health checks, health at work, and recovery. Maternity coverage includes childbirth, parental leave benefits, child allowance, and maternity allowance. Therapeutic aids cover incapacity for work, accidents at work, treatment after accidents at work, and occupational diseases. Illness coverage includes work-related illness, doctor visits, mental illness treatments, and support with serious health problems.

Healthcare in Austria is completely free for those with low or no income. Others have to pay a small amount in social contributions to be eligible for state-funded health insurance. Expats living and earning an income in Austria have their contributions deducted from their salary. When they require medical attention, they don’t have to pay for any services (except for some low-cost service fees).

Public health insurance is compulsory for residents in Austria, and the process is linked to employment and automatic. Once registered as a working resident, around 7.6% of the person's salary goes to social contributions, which pay for their health or sickness insurance.

How does private healthcare differ?

Austria has a two-tier healthcare system, where individuals can opt for supplementary private health insurance. Private healthcare, also known as "comfort class" care, offers several benefits that differ from public healthcare.

Firstly, private insurance plans provide more flexible visiting hours. This means that individuals with private insurance may have shorter wait times to see a doctor or specialist, whereas those with public insurance may experience longer wait times. Secondly, private insurance allows individuals to choose their own physician for outpatient treatment, whereas public insurance may restrict the choice of doctors available. In addition, private insurance provides access to exclusive physicians who are not available through the public healthcare system. These exclusive physicians are often some of the more talented and experienced experts in their fields. Thirdly, private insurance offers private rooms in hospitals, whereas public insurance may only provide shared rooms with up to eight or nine patients. Private rooms may also come with additional amenities such as a private bathroom, internet access, and a television. Lastly, private insurance covers medication and other medical products, as well as extras such as free dental care, travel insurance, and subsidised gym memberships.

Frequently asked questions