How does the healthcare system work in Austria?

Having healthcare insurance is mandatory in Austria. Paid public healthcare insurance is provided to citizens and expats by the government, along with pension and accident insurance. Free Austrian health insurance is only offered to the unemployed, including pensioners, and those on low income. Funding for the national healthcare system is collected through taxes and insurance e-cards are provided as proof of access.

Once you begin working in Austria, your employer will automatically sign you up to make social contributions, and you will be registered with a public provider. If you’re self-employed or a student, the choice is yours whether you want to access private healthcare or register with the public system.

Even if you’re signed up for public access, additional medical insurance can be used to supplement your regular cover and give you more tailored and convenient benefits.

Read our Austria country guide

Pros and cons of using Austria's local healthcare system

Pros

• Automatic enrolment – you don’t have to set up the cover yourself.
• Free healthcare if you’re unemployed or on low-income.
• Family members, spouses and dependents could also be covered through ‘co-insurance’.

Vienna tops our best expat cities list

Cons

• You cannot choose your healthcare provider – they are automatically assigned.
• You still must make additional payments for your e-card, prescriptions, aids, dentures, and other medical equipment.
• Less flexibility for appointments and choice of healthcare professionals.