Health Insurance in Austria
Jules de Bruin
Expat in Vienna
Updated: April 23 2026
As of April 2026, health insurance is mandatory for all residents of Austria. Employed expats are automatically enrolled, paying approximately 3.87% of gross salary (employer adds 3.78%). Non-employed residents can self-insure through the OGK for approximately EUR 500/month (EUR 67/month for students). Supplementary private health insurance from providers like Uniqa or Wiener Stadtische costs EUR 40 to EUR 50/month and adds private hospital rooms, shorter wait times, and choice of specialists.
How Does Austria's Social Health Insurance System Work?
Health insurance in Austria is part of the broader social security system (Sozialversicherung). It is mandatory for all residents who are employed, self-employed, or receiving certain social benefits. EU citizens and work visa holders are both covered once employed. Contributions are calculated as a percentage of your gross salary and are shared between you and your employer. As of 2024, the employee contribution is approximately 3.87% of gross salary, with the employer paying an additional 3.78%.
Your insurance coverage begins on your first day of employment. You receive an e-card (electronic health insurance card) which you present at every doctor visit and pharmacy. The e-card also covers your dependents (spouse and children) at no additional cost through co-insurance (Mitversicherung), provided they do not have their own employment-based coverage.
Which Insurance Carrier Covers You in Austria?
OGK (Osterreichische Gesundheitskasse)
The Austrian Health Insurance Fund covers the vast majority of employees in Austria. It was formed in 2020 by merging the previous nine regional health insurance funds into one national carrier. If you work as an employee for a private company, this is almost certainly your insurer.
SVS (Sozialversicherungsanstalt der Selbstandigen)
The Social Insurance Institution for the Self-Employed covers freelancers (Neue Selbstandige), trade license holders (Gewerbetreibende), and farmers. If you are self-employed or run a business in Austria, you will be insured through SVS. See our freelance visa guide for more on working independently in Austria.
BVAEB (Versicherungsanstalt offentlich Bediensteter)
This carrier covers civil servants, public employees, and railway workers. BVAEB tends to offer slightly better benefits than OGK, including higher reimbursement rates for some medical services.
What Is the Difference Between Public and Private Health Insurance?
Unlike some countries, Austria does not have a fully separate private health insurance system that replaces public coverage. Public insurance is mandatory, and private insurance acts as a supplement (Zusatzversicherung). The key differences:
Public (OGK/SVS/BVAEB)
- • Covers GP and specialist visits
- • Hospital stays in general wards
- • Prescriptions (with small co-pay)
- • Basic dental care
- • Maternity and childcare benefits
- • Physiotherapy (with referral)
Private (Supplementary)
- • Private or semi-private hospital rooms
- • Choice of specific hospital doctors
- • Shorter waiting times for specialists
- • Expanded dental coverage
- • Alternative medicine (osteopathy, etc.)
- • Broader coverage for glasses and lenses
How Do You Register for Health Insurance in Austria?
If you are employed, your employer registers you automatically with the relevant social insurance carrier. You do not need to do anything yourself. Your e-card will be mailed to your registered address within a few weeks of starting work.
If you are not employed (student, job-seeker, or accompanying family member), you can apply for voluntary self-insurance (Selbstversicherung) directly with the OGK. The monthly cost for voluntary self-insurance is approximately EUR 500 per month, though reduced rates are available for students (around EUR 67 per month). You will need your Meldezettel, passport, and residence permit to apply at your local OGK office. Note that health insurance contributions are part of Austria's social contributions deducted from your income.
What Is the Best Private Health Insurance for Expats in Austria?
Supplementary private health insurance can significantly improve your healthcare experience in Austria. Here are providers popular with expats:
Uniqa Supplementary Health Insurance
Uniqa is one of Austria's largest insurance companies and a leading provider of supplementary health insurance. Their MedExtra packages let you customize your coverage from basic outpatient add-ons to full private hospital stays with your choice of doctor.
Best for: Expats who want customizable private hospital and specialist coverage with English support
Pros
- +Highly customizable MedExtra packages
- +English-speaking customer service
- +Strong reputation in Austria
Cons
- −Plans starting from EUR 50/month can add up
- −Waiting periods apply for some treatments
- −Claims process can be slow
- Sonderklasse (private ward) hospital coverage
- Free choice of doctors and specialists
- Shorter waiting times for treatments and surgeries
- Dental care top-up packages available
- English-speaking customer service available
- Plans starting from approximately EUR 50/month
Wiener Stadtische Health Insurance
Part of the Vienna Insurance Group, Wiener Stadtische offers comprehensive supplementary health insurance packages tailored to different needs. Their FlexMed product line allows you to build a custom plan with modular coverage blocks for hospital, dental, and outpatient care.
Best for: Families looking for flexible modular plans with children's discounts
Pros
- +Lower starting price (EUR 40/month)
- +Flexible modular plan structure
- +Family discounts available
Cons
- −Less English-language support than Uniqa
- −Some modules require bundling
- Flexible modular plan structure (FlexMed)
- Private and semi-private hospital room options
- Worldwide emergency coverage included
- Alternative medicine coverage (osteopathy, acupuncture)
- Family plans with discounts for children
- Plans starting from approximately EUR 40/month
Generali Health Insurance
Generali offers a strong range of supplementary health products in Austria, with particularly good coverage for dental care and specialist visits. Their HealthProtect packages are well-suited for expats who want comprehensive top-up coverage on their public insurance.
Best for: Expats who prioritize dental coverage and want no-claims bonus savings
Pros
- +Comprehensive dental care packages
- +No-claims bonus reduces premiums over time
- +Online claims portal
Cons
- −Less well-known among expats than Uniqa
- −Fewer English resources
- Comprehensive dental care packages
- Specialist and outpatient visit reimbursement
- Hospital Sonderklasse coverage available
- No-claims bonus reducing premiums over time
- Online portal for claims and policy management