Mitschrift

The Health Care System in Austria

When living in Austria, you might ask yourself several important questions about the health care system:

What do I do when I’m sick?

Why is the e-card important?

What rights and obligations do pregnant women have?

What services do health insurances actually cover?

My name is Derek Gonzales, and in this StartWien video, we will be exploring the health care system in Austria.

Health Insurance & Mandatory Insurance

Austria boasts a robust health care system, but to benefit from it, you need to have health insurance. There are three main types of insurance:

1. Mandatory insurance for employees, self-employed persons, pensioners, and asylum seekers.

2. Voluntary self-insurance for students or individuals in marginal employment.

3. Co-insurance for family members, such as children or non-working spouses.

Depending on your profession, different health insurance companies operate in Austria. The three most important are:

ÖGK: for most workers and employees.

SVS: for self-employed individuals.

BVAEB: for public servants, railroad, and mining workers.

Tip: If you are new in Vienna, ensure you have valid health insurance to obtain your e-card.

e-card & Social Security Number

The e-card is a chip card featuring your name, photo, and social security number (SVNR), which consists of ten digits. You will need this number for various official procedures, including those at the tax office or the Public Employment Service Austria (AMS).

Tip: Always carry your e-card with you; it is essential for accessing the Austrian health care system and is required each time you visit a doctor. You can find out how to obtain health insurance and the e-card in our video "Health Insurance and e-card."

Doctor Visits & Insurance Benefits

What should you keep in mind when visiting a doctor in Austria?

There are two categories of doctors: **panel doctors** (Kassenärzt_innen) and **private doctors** (Wahlärzt_innen). Basic examinations are usually free with panel doctors, provided you have your e-card. In contrast, private doctors do not have a contract with social health insurance, meaning you must pay for your treatment upfront. You can then request reimbursement of up to 80% of the costs based on what a panel doctor would have received for the same treatment.

Many multilingual doctors are available in Vienna. You can find doctors who speak your language at praxisplan.at. If the doctor has a contract with your health insurance, there will be no costs for you.

In addition to the services provided by panel doctors, health insurance covers various costs, including:

Medication

Rescue or medical transport

Treatment in public hospitals

Preventive medical examinations

Sickness benefits

Aids such as wheelchairs

For additional benefits, you may consider private supplementary insurance.

Important: If you do not have health insurance, you will be responsible for all treatment costs in the event of an accident or hospitalization. More information can be found in our video "Doctor's Visits and Medical Services."

Staying Healthy and Being Sick

To maintain your health, take advantage of free preventive medical checkups. You can find more information on this at gesundheit.gv.at. If you are unwell, consult your family doctor. If you are employed, you must notify your employer immediately and provide a sick leave certificate.

For emergencies, dial 144 to reach the rescue service. For general health information, you can contact the telephone health advice service at 1450. The Vienna Social Fund (Fonds Soziales Wien) supports individuals with high support needs, while the Psychosocial Services (Psychosozialer Dienst) offer help for mental health issues.

Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Parenthood

The Austrian health care system provides comprehensive support for pregnant women, children, and new parents. A key document during this period is the mother-child passport (Mutter-Kind Pass), which guides important examinations and promotes the health of both mother and child.

Note: Some examinations in the Mother-Child Passport are mandatory for eligibility for childcare benefits.

Tip: Register with a maternity clinic early. For public clinics, registration can be done via the website geburtsinfo.wien.

Women who are employed or registered with the AMS enjoy maternity protection in Austria. They are not allowed to work 8 weeks before and 8 weeks after delivery. In cases of premature births, multiple births, or C-sections, the post-delivery protection period extends to at least 12 weeks.

During maternity leave, you will receive "Wochengeld" from the Austrian Health Insurance Fund instead of a salary.

Working parents in Austria are entitled to up to 2 years of maternity leave, during which they can also receive childcare allowance. More details can be found in our video "Pregnancy, Childbirth & Parenthood."