Austria Health Insurance for Expats

International Health Insurance for Expats in Austria

Expats moving to Austria may choose international health insurance to increase their access to all of Austria’s top-tier facilities and to decrease wait times, even though Austria’s compulsory public health insurance starts the moment individuals receive employment in the country.

Are you an expat preparing to move to Austria? Are you curious about how the country’s healthcare system works? Or maybe you’re a traveler wondering what options are available while you’re in the area.

If you are wondering whether securing private health insurance in Austria is worth it, you have come to the right place. This guide provides an overview of its healthcare system for those planning to visit or move to Austria, outlines useful travel tips, and more. Continue reading to learn more!

Recommended International Health Insurance Plans for Expatriates Living in Austria

The Healthcare System in Austria

The healthcare system in Austria is considered one of the best in the world and access to services is of exemplary standards. It is a decentralized system, characterized by regionalized healthcare.

Austria’s public healthcare sector provides universal coverage that is funded primarily by social health insurance schemes, and all Austrian citizens and legal residents can access the same level of healthcare irrespective of their individual contributions.

There is also a private healthcare sector, providing better facilities and shorter waiting times at a premium cost for those who can afford it or those who have a private health insurance plan.

Public Healthcare in Austria

Austria’s public healthcare system is extensive and provides a range of healthcare services. In general, basic healthcare, medications, visits to specialists, and dental treatment in public hospitals are all covered.

To see doctors or go to providers that accept patients in the public healthcare system, look for a sign that says ‘Kassenarzt’ or ‘Alle Kassen’. This is crucial as some doctors may only see private patients.

In order to see a specialist, you should first go to a GP in your area. They will refer you to a specialist if you need one. You can also make an appointment with a specialist directly, but note that some treatments and examinations may still require a referral.

If you are covered by the public healthcare system and receive treatment from a private doctor or private hospital, you may be entitled to a partial refund of payment from the public insurance provider.

For emergencies, you can dial the following numbers:

• 144 (ambulance)
• 141 (emergency medical service)
• 112 (European emergency number)

Public Hospitals in Austria

Some of the best public hospitals in Austria include Vienna General Hospital, Tirol Kliniken in Innsbruck, and University Hospital Graz.

Vienna General Hospital (AKH) is Austria’s largest hospital, with over 2,100 beds. It offers multidisciplinary care across oncology, obstetrics, neurosurgery, cardiac surgery, and more. The hospital serves as the training facility for students at the Medical University of Vienna.

• Address: Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090 Wien, Austria
• Phone number: +43 1 404000

Tirol Kliniken in Innsbruck is one of three hospitals in the Tirol Kliniken group, and the Innsbruck hospital offers services in all specialties. Beyond the hospitals, the group also includes one nursing facility, one school, and eleven subsidiaries.

• Address: Anichstraße 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
• Phone number: +43 50 504

University Hospital Graz is operated by the Styrian Hospital Association and the Medical University of Graz together. They focus on care and treatment as well as research.

• Address: Auenbruggerpl. 1, 8036 Graz, Austria
• Phone number: +43 316 3850

Private Healthcare in Austria

Although public healthcare in Austria is of high standards, some of the best physicians are only available in the private healthcare sector. Going private will also provide you with higher standards, more flexibility, shorter wait times, and better amenities such as a private room.

Private Hospitals in Austria

If you choose to receive care at one of Austria’s fantastic private hospitals, consider Döbling Private Hospital, Confraternität Privatklinik Josefstadt, or Wehrle-Diakonissen Private Hospital.

Döbling Private Hospital is one of Austria’s top private hospitals, offering inpatient, day-patient, and outpatient care all in one place. The hospital treats about 17,000 patients a year.

• Address: Heiligenstädter Str. 55/65, 1190 Wien, Austria
• Phone number: +43 1 360660

Confraternität Privatklinik Josefstadt is part of the PremiQaMed private hospitals' system, which supports innovative treatment for the highest care possible for each patient.

• Address: Skodagasse 32, 1080 Wien, Austria
• Phone number: +43 1 401140

Wehrle-Diakonissen Private Hospital in Salzburg (also part of the PremiQaMed system), is primarily an internal medicine center, focusing on lifestyle diseases and treatments, such as therapy, neurology, cardiovascular disorders, diabetes, and more.

• Address: Guggenbichlerstraße 20, 5026 Salzburg, Austria
• Phone number: +43 662 90509

Health Insurance Options in Austria for Expats

Expats and travelers will likely not immediately qualify for public insurance in Austria, so they should consider travel insurance for short-term stays or international health insurance for long-term residence. Once an expat is employed in Austria, he or she may receive public insurance.

Public Insurance in Austria

Both citizens and residents employed in Austria have to contribute to a mandatory social health insurance scheme, with contributions being proportional to income. Risk factors such as age and health status are not taken into account. Once you are employed, you will be enrolled in the system.

This covers not only the employed person but also their family members. As a guide, approximately 25% of those insured in Austria are co-insured family members. Co-insured parties do have the option to opt into a voluntary insurance scheme to obtain their own insurance.

If you fall into one of the following groups, then you will be able to access healthcare even without being co-insured:

• Children
• People who care for children or have done so for at least four years
• People who nurse family members and beneficiaries of long-term care benefits
• Vulnerable people who are in need of social protection.

Those entitled to public healthcare will be issued with an e-card, which allows the Austrian Social Security system to monitor all health claims electronically. An individual is required to present the e-card when visiting the doctor.

Students and tourists from EU/EEA countries will be able to access public healthcare using your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Those from non-EU/EEA countries not employed in Austria will generally not be able to access public healthcare for free.

Private Health Insurance in Austria

As private healthcare in Austria is very expensive, it pays to have private health insurance. For expats without an EHIC, finding an expat health insurance plan that allows access to private care should be a top priority before your move.

Even many expats who qualify for public care choose private health insurance for the added luxury of private hospitals and clinics.

International insurance plans are designed to meet the unique needs of global expats, so foreigners living in Austria can customize their coverage for their specific health concerns and budget. These plans also often include benefits such as emergency evacuation and repatriation.

Some of the common benefits included in an international health insurance plan include:

• Worldwide coverage
• Inpatient and day patient care
• Cancer care
• Mental health care
• Emergency ambulatory services and ER care
• Palliative care
• Home nursing
• Lab work and testing
• Prescription medications
• Emergency dental care
• Rehabilitation

In addition to these benefits, you can choose plans with comprehensive coverage or extra benefits to cover outpatient and preventive care, maternity care, dental and vision, and pre-existing conditions.

Pacific Prime partners with some of the very best international insurance providers around the globe. Keep reading to find some of our top picks for expats living in Austria.

Best Private Insurance Providers for Expats in Austria

Some of the best private health insurance for expats moving to Austria include Allianz, AXA, Cigna, and NOW International. Find out more about each insurer below.

Allianz

Allianz offers expats in Austria coverage through either their Allianz Care, Allianz Care Plus, or their Allianz Care Pro plan. All three plans cover inpatient and day-care services, oncology treatment, and medical evacuation.

The annual limit per plan is:

• Care plan: USD $2,500,000
• Care Plus plan: USD $4,000,000
• Care Pro plan: USD $5,00,000

Each tier of coverage offers additional benefits. Beyond the benefits offered in each core Care plan, expats may purchase add-on plans for further coverage. These plans include an outpatient plan, a dental plan, a repatriation plan, and a maternity plan.

AXA

AXA offers top-notch care under its five plans: their Foundation, Standard, Comprehensive, Prestige, and Prestige Plus plans. These plans include 24/7 personal support, claims repayment within 48 hours, second medical opinions, and virtual doctor visits. The plans all offer coverage for:

If expats are looking for extra coverage, they can consider the Prestige or Prestige Plus plans, which offer additional benefits, such as pregnancy care and annual health checks.

The annual limit of each of AXA’s plans is:

• Foundation plan: USD $160,000
• Standard plan: USD $1,600,000
• Comprehensive plan: USD $2,400,000
• Prestige plan: USD $3,200,000
• Prestige Plus plan: USD $8,00,000

Cigna

Cigna is one of the top insurance providers worldwide, offering excellent coverage for expats seeking both inpatient and outpatient services alike. Through their Silver, Gold, and Platinum plans as well as their Close Care plan, expats receive core benefits of:

The Silver, Gold, and Platinum plan all offer international coverage, and the Close Care plan offers a cost-effective alternative with coverage in Austria and the individual’s home country.

The Silver plan offers an annual limit of USD $1,000,000, with the Gold plan offering an annual limit of USD $2,000,000, and the Platinum plan offering an unlimited annual maximum. The Close Care plan offers an annual limit of USD $500,000.

NOW Health

NOW Health offers its WorldCare plan with four different tiers of coverage while their SimpleCare plan comes with three tiered options for coverage.

Under the SimpleCare plan, annual limits are:

• USD $1,000,000 for the SimpleCare Core tier
• USD $1,500,000 for the SimpleCare 100 tier
• USD $1,500,000 for the SimpleCare 250 tier

Under the WorldCare plan, annual limits are:

• USD $3,000,000 for the Essential tier
• USD $3,500,000 for the Advance tier
• USD $4,000,000 for the Excel tier
• USD $4,500,000 for the Apex tier

Facts to Consider when Picking Insurance in Austria

When choosing a health insurance plan, expats must weigh their personal health concerns, their lifestyle, their budget, and the length of their time in Austria to determine what type of plan fits their needs.

Your Health and Lifestyle for Health Insurance in Austria

Expats moving to Austria as well as travelers should prioritize finding a plan that offers quality, affordable coverage. Most plans exclude pre-existing conditions, and the more healthcare coverage you choose, the more your plan will cost.

Your Budget for Health Insurance in Austria

The cost of your health insurance will depend on your health history, age, lifestyle, benefits you seek, and even gender. Factors that contribute to your health insurance costs are your premium, deductible, copay, coinsurance, and out-of-pocket maximum.

• Premiums are the amount you pay each month for health insurance.
• Deductibles are the amount you pay before your insurance covers costs.
• Copays are the amount you pay for medical visits, like doctor’s visits.
• Coinsurance is the coverage percentage you pay once you have met your deductible.
• The out-of-pocket maximum is the total maximum amount you may pay for health care within a term.

As a rule of thumb, the older you are the more you pay. For instance, a plan for children below 18 may cost €30 (USD $31.51) a month, but the same plan for senior citizens about 65 can cost about €450–500 (USD $472.71–$525.24). Other factors determining cost are gender and pre-existing conditions.

Travel Insurance in Austria

For those who plan to travel in Austria only briefly, travel insurance or short-term insurance may be the right fit. Travel medical insurance provides coverage for some medical emergencies, such as emergency care or repatriation, in case of a mishap during your vacation.

In contrast, traditional travel insurance offers assistance for hiccups like:

• Trip cancellation
• Delayed departure
• Personal belongings
• Lost luggage
• Travel documents
• Personal liability

Travelers looking for comprehensive care for their trip can purchase both medical and traditional travel insurance or opt for international health insurance to pair with their traditional travel insurance. If travel insurance fits your needs, read more about top insurers in this guide.

Health and Safety Tips for Travelers in Austria

Austria is generally considered to be a safe country with a low rate of crime, though tourists are often targets of petty crime in major cities. Keep an eye on your belongings, especially when in crowded areas and during nighttime. Keep reading for specific safety tips for Austria:

Take Care During Outdoor Excursions

Many tourists usually head to Austria to take part in skiing, paragliding, and other extreme sports and activities. If you plan on taking part, use a reputable company that is reputable and always check the weather forecasts before going.

For advice on weather and safety conditions, contact the Austrian Tourist Agency. You can also find out information about the risk of avalanches from the European Avalanche Warning Service.

Purchase Travel Insurance

Secure a suitable travel insurance plan that covers any specific activities you are planning to undertake, especially if you plan outdoor activities, such as skiing. In case you need emergency services, you may also need to be medically evacuated to the nearest equipped hospital.

Please note that the information on this page is not fully comprehensive and is subject to change without prior warning. It is advisable to consult with the local Austrian embassy should you have any doubts before you depart on your journey.

Compare Plans and Quotes Now

If you do not have access to public healthcare in Austria or if you would like to access private healthcare, then you should look into securing a good health insurance plan.

Pacific Prime can provide tailored expat health insurance plans to foreign nationals in Austria. We can also help you obtain additional benefits, such as coverage for outpatient treatment, dental, vision, maternity, and many more.

Some of our plans are also globally portable and renewable for life. Whether you develop a pre-existing condition, make a lot of claims, or even decide to leave Austria for another country, rest assured that you have the coverage you need.

Contact us today for a free quote and insurance consultation!