Austria’s healthcare system is high-quality and well-structured. But if you’re used to a different approach – or don’t speak German – it can feel overwhelming.
This guide gives you an overview of the healthcare system without the jargon. It’s designed to help you feel confident using Austria’s healthcare system.
Contents
Almost all of Austria’s residents (99.9%) are covered by statutory health insurance. Most people are automatically enrolled in public insurance through their job – usually with the Austrian Health Insurance Fund (ÖGK) – for employees and their families.
Who is Covered?
- If you're employed, your insurance is handled through your employer.
- If you're married and / or have children, they can be co-insured under your plan.
What is Covered?
- Visits to general practitioners (GPs)
- Specialist appointments with referral
- Hospital care (small fees may apply)
- Prescriptions (partially subsidised)
- Maternity care and parental leave benefits
- Health and dental checkups
The E-Card
An Example of the E-Card
The e-card is your Austrian health insurance card. You’ll need it for nearly all healthcare services — including doctor appointments, hospital care, and collecting prescriptions from a pharmacy.
How Do You Get The E-Card?
If you’re employed in Austria and on an Austrian payroll:
- Your employer registers you with the Austrian social security system.
- Your HR department will give you your social security number for you to take furhter steps such as register your photo or co-insure family members.
- Once registered, your public health insurer (usually ÖGK) then sends your e-card to your home address — it can take up to 6 weeks to arrive. If it hasn't, contact your health insurance provider.
- Your spouse and children will receive their own cards if they are co-insured.
What If You're Working in Austria, but Not On Austrian Payroll?
If you're covered by another EU country's social security system, while working in Austria, you’re unlikely to receive an Austrian e-card – but you can still access healthcare. You may need to complete and submit A1 and S1 forms.
| ⚠️ Request these forms from your home country’s social security office before your move or assignment begins. |
| 🤝 We can support you in arranging your access to Austria's public healthcare. |
Co-Insurance for Family Members
Your family can be added to your insurance:
- Children are typically covered at no extra cost.
- Spouses / partners may be added for a fee: 3.4% of your gross monthly salary, up to a capped amount (based on €6,450 gross/month).
- Applications are submitted to your district insurance office (locations can be found at www.gesundheitskasse.at).
How Much Does the E-Card Cost?
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Publicly insured individuals currently pay €13.80 per year.
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This increases to €14.65 in 2026 (fee is due each November for the following year).
When to use the E-Card
- Present it at each medical appointment.
- Use it to collect prescriptions at the pharmacy.
- Bring it to hospital admissions.
If you need to see a doctor and you don’t have your e-card with you, most doctors won’t turn you away. Just submit your e-card within 14 days of the visit and pay a deposit. You’ll get your deposit back when you show your e-card.
Can the E-Card be Used in Other European Cities?
- Not during the first 12 months — the first e-card issued is blank on the back.
- After 12 months, you can order a new e-card with the back of the card completed, which will then give you access to healthcare in other EU countries, EEA countries and Switzerland.
Seeing a Doctor
Austria has both public doctors (Kassenarzt) and private doctors (Wahlarzt). If you're covered by public insurance, you’ll want to choose a doctor (Kassenarzt) who works with your insurer.
Finding a Doctor
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Use www.docfinder.at or www.aerztekammer.at/arztsuche to search by location, specialty, and language (use advanced search).
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In Vienna, www.praxisplan.at is also useful.
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Doctors may list languages like French, Turkish or Arabic, in addition to English.
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Look for "alle Kassen" to confirm they accept public insurance.
Booking a Doctor's Appointment
- General practitioners (GPs — Hausarzt): Some surgeries allow walk ins, but often it is better to book an appointment to save time.
- Specialists (Facharzt): You usually need a referral (Überweisungsschein) from your GP — and it must be used within 2 weeks.
- Bring your e-card and photo ID.
Be prepared for some waiting time, even with an appointment.
Sick Notes (Krankenstand)
- If you're unwell and off work, ask for a Krankenstand (sick leave certificate) during your appointment.
- This is often required by most employers if you are absent due to illness.
Check with HR if your company has specific rules or timelines for submitting a sick note. If you're unsure of the legal requirements, get advice from HR or a legal expert.
Out of Office Hours Medical Help
- Call the on-call doctor service (Ärztenotdienst) at 141.
- In some cities (like Vienna), home visits may be possible.
Emergency Services
If you or someone else is in need of immediate, urgent care, here’s what to do.
For Medical Emergencies:
- Call 144 for an ambulance (Rettung)
- Go to the nearest Notaufnahme (emergency room)
- Bring your e-card
For Urgent Medical Help (But Not an Emergency)
- Call 1450, the non-emergency health advice line
- Trained healthcare staff will assess your situation and direct you to the right care
Emergency Numbers
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112 |
European emergency number (works anywhere in the EU) |
Euro-Notruf – einheitliche europäische Notrufnummer |
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122 |
Fire brigade |
Feuerwehrzentralen |
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133 |
Police |
Polizei |
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141 |
On-call doctor / emergency medical service | Ärztenotdienst | |
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142 |
Telephone counselling |
Telefonseelsorge |
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144 |
Ambulance / emergency services |
Rettungsdienst |
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1450 |
Non-emergency medical helpline | Gesundheitshotline | |
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1455 |
Pharmacy services | Apothekendienste | |
| 147 | Emergency services for children and young people | Notrufdienst für Kinder und Jugendliche |
Prescriptions and Pharmacies
When you have a doctor’s prescription (Rezept) for medicine, take it to a pharmacy (Apotheke).
- Prescriptions are usually sent electronically to the pharmacy. Some doctors still issue paper prescriptions, especially if you don’t yet have your e-card.
- Bring your e-card when collecting medicine, if you have it.
- The pharmacist may ask who your public insurance provider is
| 🧾 From a private doctor or hospital? You may need to get your prescription approved by the health insurance fund first to pay the reduced fee. Present the prescription at your district insurance office (see www.gesundheitskasse.at). |
How Much Do Prescriptions Cost?
- Most prescriptions are a standard fee of €7.55 per medicine prescribed (in 2025), under public insurance.
- Some people (e.g. low-income or pensioners) may be exempt from paying this fee.
- Over-the-counter medicines are not covered by insurance and must be paid in full.
How to Get Medication After-Hours Or in an Emergency
Need medication at night or on weekends?
Austrian pharmacies rotate on-call services (Apotheken Notdienst) so there’s always a pharmacy open:
- Use www.apothekerkammer.at/apothekensuche
- Check for a "Nachtdienst" sign at your local pharmacy
- Call 1455 to find the nearest open pharmacy
🕑 Normal pharmacy hours:
Monday–Friday: 08:00–18:00
Saturday: 08:00–12:00
What If You Don't Yet Have Your E-card Yet?
- You can still collect medication by paying up front
- Keep the receipt and submit it later for reimbursement (if applicable)
Maternity and Family Care
The Parent-Child Pass (Eltern-Kind-Pass)
- Issued by your doctor during early pregnancy
- Includes a checklist of essential check-ups for both mother and child
Maternity Leave (Mutterschutz)
Maternity protection begins eight weeks before your due date and continues until between eight weeks and 12 weeks after birth.
During this time:
- You receive full pay based on your previous earnings.
- Your job is protected.
Daddy Month (Papamonat)
- Employed fathers can take up to one month off work after the birth of their child (within 91 days of the birth).
- It’s unpaid, but your job is protected and you can apply for a family time bonus (approx. €23/day).
- Notice must be given to employers 3 months before the due date.
Parental Leave and Childcare Allowance
After Mutterschutz ends, one parent can take parental leave (Elternkarenz):- Your job is protected for up to 2 years.
- You may be eligible for Childcare Allowance (Kinderbetreuungsgeld).
Child Check-Ups
Children are eligible for free routine check-ups under the Eltern-Kind-Pass programme — this continues until the child turns 5 years old.
Dental Care
Dental care in Austria is partially covered by public insurance, but not all treatments are included. Treatments that are generally covered by your public insurance are: fillings, root canal treatments, tartar removal, tooth and root extractions and surgical procedures.
Booking a Dentist (Zahnarzt) Appointment
- Use www.zahnaerztekammer.at and 'advance search' by location and language.
- No referral is needed — you can book directly with any dentist.
- Look for 'alle Kassen' to find one who accepts public insurance.
Glossary
Hopefully, you found this guide helpful. Getting access to healthcare comes with its fair share of formalities — from e-cards to A1 / S1 forms, and co-insurance to family benefits. But you don't have to figure it out alone.
Book a free 15-minute call with one of our experts and let us help you sort out the paperwork, giving you and your family access to Austria's excellent healthcare system.
