A Look at the Austrian Health Care System

If you will be moving abroad to Austria you may be wondering what type of health care system they have and if you will be eligible as an expatriate. Austria is known for its generous social welfare system, which includes the health care system. And as an expat you will be able to receive medical treatment while in Austria under their health care system.

The Austrian health care system has a large network of doctors and hospitals all over the country, even in the more remote areas of Austria. The quality of health care in Austria is very high. The Austrian health care system offers health care services and treatment at no cost. This free health care is not limited to just the resident of Austria either. If you are a tourist visiting Austria you are entitled access to basic health care at no cost. If you are staying in Austria on a temporary basis you are also entitled to basic health care at no cost. There are also reciprocal health care agreements with other European Union countries. You may need to have your European Health Insurance Card if you are a citizen of another European Union country.

If you are living and working in Austria then you are required to make contributions to the health insurance scheme which helps to fund the health care system. It is part of the larger social insurance or social welfare system of Austria. Under the Austrian health care system any basic health care services or treatment in public hospitals, basic dental care and medication are covered at no cost. Certain visits to specialists are also covered under the health care system.

If you have private health insurance your cost for various services will vary. It will be based on your income, so it will likely be different than that of someone else that has the same private insurance.

If you are working in Austria then you are practically automatically enrolled in the public health care system. It is required that within seven days of starting a job that employees and contractors enroll in at least one of the programs in the social insurance system. Once you do this you will get your green Social Insurance card that has your date of birth and social insurance number on it. This card it what you will need to show when you arrive for medical services or treatment so you should always carry it with you.

As an employee your employer will take care of enrolling you in the system at the district health insurance fund. If you are a contractor thought you will be responsible for enrolling your self. You will need to register with the Social Insurance for the Industrial Economy.

If you are an employee all of your dependants are automatically covered under your social insurance card. If you are a contractor or self employed you will need to get additional coverage for your dependants.