
In Austria, persons in dependent employment and civil or public servants are insured with one of the following insurance funds, depending on their employer: Austrian health insurance fund: Österreichische Gesundheitskasse (ÖGK) or Austrian Insurance Fund for Civil or Public Servants, Miners and Persons Employed with the Federal Railways: Versicherungsanstalt öffentlich Bediensteter, Eisenbahnen und Bergbau (BVAEB). Self-employed, freelance professionals, and farmers are insured by Sozialversicherungsanstalt der Selbständigen (SVS). Persons taking up occupation in Austria are automatically covered by insurance, and employers are responsible for registering their employees with the relevant social insurance office.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is GKK in Austria? | Austrian Gesundheitskasse (ÖGK) or Austrian health insurance fund |
| Who is eligible? | Persons in dependent employment and civil or public servants |
| Who is not covered? | Self-employed, freelance professionals, and farmers |
| What does it cover? | Health insurance |
| Are there any additional benefits? | The e-card, which is valid in all countries of the European Union, the European Economic Area, and Switzerland |
| Is there a service fee? | Yes, EUR 14.65 per year as of January 2025 |
| Is there a monthly fee? | Yes, EUR 73.48 per month as of January 2025 for students |
| Who can be covered under this insurance? | Your legal partner and children |
| Any other benefits? | No time limit on the validity of the e-card in Austria |
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What You'll Learn
- The Austrian Gesundheitskasse (ÖGK) is the Austrian health insurance fund
- Scholarship holders enrolled in a regular degree programme can take out health insurance with the Austrian Gesundheitskasse
- The e-card is sent to you for free and is valid with doctors who have a contract with the Austrian Gesundheitskasse
- The insurance covers your legal partner and children
- Persons taking up occupation in Austria are automatically covered by insurance

The Austrian Gesundheitskasse (ÖGK) is the Austrian health insurance fund
The Austrian health insurance fund, or ÖGK, provides health insurance for students enrolled in a regular degree programme at an Austrian university, university of arts, university of applied sciences, or the University Preparation Programme. The insurance coverage starts the day after the application, and costs €73.48 per month. It is important to note that costs for illnesses that began prior to the insurance are not covered. The insurance also covers the legal partners and children of the insured individual.
The ÖGK provides its members with an e-card, which is sent out free of charge and has no time limit on its validity in Austria. This card must be submitted to a general practitioner with a contract with the Austrian Gesundheitskasse. If a referral to a specialist is required, the general practitioner will issue a referral form, which must be submitted along with the e-card. The e-card also includes the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) on its back, which is valid in all countries of the European Union, the European Economic Area, and Switzerland.
The Austrian Gesundheitskasse (ÖGK) is the main health insurance fund in Austria, providing coverage for individuals in dependent employment, as well as their families. It offers convenient services such as the e-card and referrals to specialists, ensuring that its members have access to the necessary healthcare services.
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$36.53 $38.63

Scholarship holders enrolled in a regular degree programme can take out health insurance with the Austrian Gesundheitskasse
Scholarship holders enrolled in a regular degree programme at an Austrian university, university of arts, university of applied sciences (Fachhochschulen) or the University Preparation Programme (Vorstudienlehrgang) can take out health insurance with the Austrian Gesundheitskasse. This insurance also covers the holder's legal partner and children.
The insurance coverage starts the day after the application, and the monthly fee is EUR 73.48 (as of January 2025). It is important to note that costs for illnesses that began before the insurance was taken out are not covered. Information about the coverage of the insurance can be obtained from the branch offices of the Gesundheitskasse.
The holder will receive an e-card, which is a chip card with the holder's name, degree, insurance number, card number, and photo printed on the front. On the back of the e-card is the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which is valid in all countries of the European Union, the European Economic Area, and Switzerland. This means that no additional "Urlaubskrankenschein" (health insurance voucher) is required for those countries. However, it is important to note the expiration date of the EHIC. Even without personal data on the EHIC, the holder is insured in all EU/EEA countries and Switzerland.
To maintain the validity of the insurance, a service fee of EUR 14.65 (as of January 2025) must be paid annually. The card must be submitted to a general practitioner of the holder's choice (per quarter) who has a contract with the Austrian Gesundheitskasse. If a referral to a specialist is required, the general practitioner will issue a referral ("Überweisungsschein"), which must be submitted to the specialist, along with the e-card.
At the end of the stay in Austria, the insurance must be cancelled before the last month. This can be done in person or in writing, and the following documents must be submitted: insurance number, insurance account number, and a photocopy of the cancelled registration with the Municipal Districts Office.
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The e-card is sent to you for free and is valid with doctors who have a contract with the Austrian Gesundheitskasse
The Austrian Gesundheitskasse is the Austrian Health Insurance Fund, also known as the Österreichische Gesundheitskasse or ÖGK. Scholarship holders enrolled as "regular degree programme students" at an Austrian university or university of applied sciences can take out health insurance with the Austrian Gesundheitskasse.
The e-card is a chip card that will be sent to you automatically and free of charge. It has no time limit on its validity in Austria, but a service fee of €14.65 must be paid annually. The e-card must be submitted to a general practitioner of your choice who has a contract with the Austrian Gesundheitskasse. If you need to see a specialist, your doctor will issue a referral, or "Überweisungsschein", which you must submit to the specialist along with your e-card.
Doctors contracted by the Austrian Health Insurance Fund usually display signs saying "Kassenarzt" (contracted doctor) or "Alle Kassen". Their services are free of charge. If you choose a doctor not under contract with the Austrian Health Insurance Fund (signalled by a sign saying "Wahlarzt" or "Keine Kassen"), you may be charged for treatment. However, you can claim up to 80% of the amount the health insurance institution would have paid for treatment by a doctor under contract. Reimbursements are claimed directly from the Austrian Health Insurance Fund.
In addition to covering doctor's visits, the e-card also includes a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) on its back, which is valid in all countries of the European Union, the European Economic Area, and Switzerland.
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The insurance covers your legal partner and children
The Austrian Gesundheitskasse, or GKK, is a health insurance provider for students and scholarship holders enrolled at an Austrian university or university of applied sciences. The insurance coverage includes a range of benefits such as free life cover and terminal illness cover. One of the advantages of the GKK insurance is that it also covers the legal partner and children of the policyholder. This means that the policyholder's dependents can benefit from the same healthcare services and financial protection as the primary insured individual.
The e-card, which is provided to the policyholder, can be used by the legal partner and children as well. The e-card is a chip card that contains the holder's name, degree, insurance number, card number, and photo on the front, while the back features the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). The EHIC is valid in all countries of the European Union, the European Economic Area, and Switzerland, providing seamless healthcare access during travel or stays abroad.
It is important to note that the insurance coverage for the legal partner and children is subject to certain conditions and limitations. The policyholder and their dependents can only consult medical doctors free of charge if those doctors have an agreement with the Gesundheitskasse. This means that the choice of healthcare providers may be limited to those within the Gesundheitskasse network.
Additionally, the insurance coverage for the legal partner and children may vary depending on their specific circumstances and needs. For example, the insurance may cover children under 18 or 21 if they are studying full-time. It is always advisable to carefully review the insurance policy, understand the coverage limits, and clarify any questions or concerns with the insurance provider.
Overall, by including the legal partner and children in the insurance coverage, the GKK insurance provides peace of mind and financial protection for the entire family. This aspect of the insurance is particularly valuable for those with dependents, ensuring that their loved ones have access to necessary healthcare services and financial support in the event of illness or other covered situations.
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Persons taking up occupation in Austria are automatically covered by insurance
In Austria, social insurance is made up of health, pension, and accident insurance. As soon as a person takes up a job, they are automatically covered by insurance. This insurance also extends to school and university students, as well as pensioners. The prerequisite for claiming health insurance benefits is the presentation of the e-card, which is sent to all insured persons and their families by the health insurance provider within 14 days of registering with the health insurance fund. The insurance contributions are calculated based on a person's income, and employers are responsible for registering their employees with the relevant social insurance office and deducting these contributions. Employees will receive a social insurance number once registered.
There are three public insurance institutions in Austria: the Austrian Health Insurance Fund (ÖGK) covers salaried employees above the marginal earnings threshold, apprentices, pensioners, and other groups; the BVAEB is responsible for public employees, railroads, and mining; and the SVS insures the self-employed and farmers. The amount of social insurance contributions, or "contribution rates," varies depending on the type of worker. For example, if you are both employed and self-employed, your insurance will depend on your highest source of income. If you are self-employed, you are insured with the Social Insurance Institution for the Self-Employed (SVS).
The e-card has a validity period with no time limit in Austria, and it must be submitted to a general practitioner of your choice who has a contract with the Austrian Gesundheitskasse. If you need to see a specialist, your doctor will issue a referral that you must submit, along with your e-card, to the specialist. At the end of your stay in Austria, you must cancel your insurance before the last month.
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Frequently asked questions
GKK stands for Gebietskrankenkassen, which is German for Austrian health insurance.
Persons in dependent employment and civil or public servants are insured with one of the following insurance funds, depending on their employer: Austrian health insurance fund: Österreichische Gesundheitskasse (ÖGK). Persons taking up occupation in Austria are automatically covered by insurance.
The e-card will be sent to you automatically and free of charge. There is no time limit concerning its validity in Austria. Each year you have to pay a service fee of EUR 14.65.
You must report any loss or theft to the Gesundheitskasse or to the e-card Serviceline (+43 050 124 33 11) immediately.

















