Healthcare in Austria

Learn about the healthcare system in Austria

Whether you have already made your choice to study in Austria or you are still in the decision making process understanding how health care in Austria functions is important. You will be happy to know that the health care system in Austria is considered to be “one of the most generous systems of social security for children and families within Europe” and records have shown that approximately 10% of Austria’s tourism is solely based on health and wellness. This being the case you can arrive confident that if need be you will be treated with the best of care.

Comprehensive Social Health Care in Austria

With comprehensive social health insurance coverage, receiving medical treatment in Austria is an excellent example of providing health care that is universal and affordable. With 99% of the inhabitants protected by the health care system in Austria, it promotes an insurance model that guarantees equitable access to all.

The Austrian health care system is founded on a statutory social insurance principle. Having statutory social insurance implies that access to services is legalized and therefore regulated by law. Under this system Austria has been reaching to achieve the idea of perfect public health care which exemplifies a system that is easily accessible, affordable and equitable. Being that insurance comes simultaneously with gainful employment it normally begins automatically. There is a separate application process for those who are self-employed or voluntarily request insurance. Falling under this legislature receiving medical care without any insurance can be very expensive, which is why emphasis is placed on international students to arrive with qualifying private or travel insurance.

Public and Private Health Care

The public health care system in Austria is differentiated by the high density of physicians. In 2008, 267 hospitals were able to provide about 64,000 beds for in-patient care and there were 5 physicians for every 1,000 inhabitants. This number places Austria above the European average with one-third of physicians signed to contracts with social health insurance allowing for this efficiency in medical treatment in Austria.

The main difference between private and public health care in Austria are the benefits that are received and for what costs. With public insurance medical treatment in Austria does not require individuals to exclusively select a primary physician, so prior consultation before going in for specialized care is not necessary. Although public health care does provide a wide range of benefits, patients may still have out of pocket costs such as purchasing of OTC medicines or costs for exceeding the daily allowance for in-patient care. The benefits for individuals under private insurance is dependent on the rate of premium, however the two main forms of private insurance are to cover hospital costs and daily benefits. In terms of treatment or quality of health care there is not a substantial difference.

As an international student, receiving medical treatment in Austria will be processed through your private or travel health insurance. However it is important to keep in mind that most locations, public or private, require some payments at the time of service to be made in cash.

We offer the following plans to international students studying in Austria: