Health & Insurance

How can I insure myself? How do I apply for an e-card and what do I need to know about the healthcare system?

Social security
registration

E-card

Social security
obligation

Health
insurance

Other insurance
policies

Doctor
or hospital?

Austrian
healthcare system

Social security registration

The employer must insure the employee from the first day of work. You can obtain the national insurance number from the employer. If you are not employed or only marginally employed (such as contractors, self-employed persons, family members of an insured person (e.g., by an employer), you must register with social insurance yourself.

Österreichische Gesundheitskasse (online or on site in Kufstein / Innsbruck):

ÖGK Customer Service Kufstein

Social insurance for the self-employed (online or on site in Innsbruck):

SVS Customer Service Innsbruck

Marginal means that you earn no more than €500.91 per month.

E-card

As an insured person, you will receive an e-card as proof of valid insurance status. The e-card must be shown every time you visit a doctor. In Austria, most people who are not self-employed are insured with the Austrian Health Insurance Fund (ÖGK). Self-employed and freelancers are insured with the SVS. Each health insurance fund offers different benefits.

Information on the Austrian health insurance fund:
ÖGK Customer Service Kufstein

Information on social insurance for the self-employed:
SVS Customer Centre Innsbruck

Are these benefits not enough for you? You can also take out private health insurance.

Applying for an e-card

If you are already insured through your work and an Austrian authority has a photo of you, the e-card will be sent to you automatically by post. Otherwise, you can apply for an e-card with your national insurance number and a photo. For this purpose, you must:

Make an appointment – online appointment booking e-card photo
Bring the following to the appointment
- a passport photo (not older than 6 months) that meets the criteria of a passport photo
- Identity card or passport
- Social security number or old e-card

Visiting a doctor without an e-card: You can also visit a doctor with just your national insurance number. It is important to note that you have not yet received your e-card. You will receive the social insurance number from your employer or by post from your social insurance company.

Compulsory social insurance

Insurance is compulsory in Austria. This means that you must be covered by social insurance in Austria. There is a statutory social insurance scheme (SV) for this. More information: www.sozialversicherung.at

Statutory social insurance includes a:

Health insurance
Accident insurance
Pension insurance
Unemployment insurance

You can read about the amount of social insurance here: Health insurance – information on contributions.

You only pay health, accident and pension insurance if your gross monthly salary is above the marginal earnings threshold.

Marginal means that you earn no more than €500.91 per month.

Statutory social insurance pays for all health insurance benefits that you need in the event of a medical illness. If you are self-employed, you must take out your own health insurance.

If you are not compulsorily insured, e.g., because you work part-time, are studying in Austria, have a disabled child or are caring for a relative, you can insure yourself with the Austrian Health Insurance Fund (ÖGK). The amount is individual and will be checked by the insurance organisation. You can find more information about self-insurance here: www.gesundheitskasse.at

Health insurance

There is a statutory health insurance scheme in Austria. It covers the majority of costs for treatment by a statutory health insurance doctor, hospitalisation and the medication administered. Medication in pharmacies is generally subject to a charge.

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What other insurance policies might be important?

In addition to health insurance and motor vehicle liability insurance, there are other important types of insurance. However, these are not compulsory:

• Household insurance: For everything that is damaged in your home
(e.g., burglary, fire, water damage, storms)
Private liability insurance: damage you have caused to others will be paid for by your liability insurance
Unemployment insurance for the self-employed
Occupational disability insurance

When do I go to the doctor - when do I go to a hospital?

Family doctor = general practitioner

For illnesses or minor injuries. You must make an appointment by telephone in advance to see a GP. It is best to call at the beginning of opening hours. You will then be examined. If necessary, you will be referred to a specialist.

If you are ill during working hours, you must obtain a time certificate from your family doctor. The employer needs this so that you can continue to receive your salary during your sick leave.

Hospital

In an acute emergency, go to hospital or call the emergency services on 144. Treatment in a public hospital is covered by health insurance.

Pharmacy

You can get medication at the pharmacy. Pharmacies are usually open from Monday to Friday from 08:00 – 12:30 and 14:30 – 18:00. There are emergency pharmacies outside of opening hours. You can find a daily updated list under the following link: Opening hours of pharmacies in the Kufstein region

Emergency service

Nachts oder am Wochenende gibt es Ärzte/Ärztinnen, die Notdienst haben, wenn andere Ärzte/Ärztinnen nicht geöffnet haben.

General night on-call service:
In Tyrol, the doctor’s surgery on duty for the night standby service can be reached from Monday to Friday from 19:00 to 07:00, as well as at weekends and on public holidays, by dialling 141.
You can find an overview here: On-call services

Dentist Emergency services:
You can find out which dentist is on emergency duty at the weekend
here: Emergency services

Please note if you do not yet speak sufficient German! Interpreting services are rarely available for general practitioners. Please enquire in advance and take someone you trust with you who speaks German or at least English. Please note: Children can be emotionally overwhelmed by some topics. Hospitals generally have well-functioning interpreting services.

Important facts about the Austrian healthcare system

Difference between panel doctor and doctor of choice

Statutory health insurance doctor: free treatment for health insurance holders (= e-card holders) Elective doctor: The visit is subject to a fee. Sometimes you get part of the costs reimbursed by your health insurance. However, the maximum is the fee that a statutory health insurance doctor would receive for the same services, from which a deductible of 20% is deducted. More information here.

Preventive check-ups for adults = healthy check-up

From the age of 18, every person living in Austria can have a free screening examination once a year. The aim is to recognise diseases at an early stage and treat them in good time. From the age of 40, women can have a free mammogram (= early detection of breast cancer). From the From the age of 50, you can have a free colonoscopy every 10 years. Please always make an appointment beforehand!