Expat insurance and health insurance in Austria

Austria has no tax-funded national health service like the UK or Ireland: it runs on a model of mandatory social insurance tied to employment status (Allgemeines Sozialversicherungsgesetz, ASVG), close to the German model. The main fund is the Österreichische Gesundheitskasse (ÖGK), created in 2020 from the merger of the nine regional funds (Gebietskrankenkassen); it covers most employees and their dependants. Self-employed people and farmers fall under SVS (Sozialversicherung der Selbständigen), civil servants and railway workers under BVAEB. Every insured person receives an e-card, giving direct access with no upfront payment to contracted doctors (Kassenarzt/Vertragsarzt).

A non-contracted doctor (Wahlarzt) remains free to set their own fees; the patient pays upfront and is reimbursed 80% of the equivalent contracted rate by their fund — in practice often 20 to 30% of the amount actually paid, as the gap between the free fee and the contracted rate is generally significant. The basic package covers consultations, hospitalisation, a wide range of medicines and basic dental care; orthodontics, dentures and optical care remain largely at the patient’s expense. A daily co-payment (Kostenbeitrag/Selbstbehalt) applies to an insured person’s hospitalisation, around €12 to €16 per day depending on the Land, capped at 28 days per calendar year.

• EU citizen: no visa required. A stay of over 3 days requires a registration of address (Meldezettel) with the municipality or hotel; a stay of over 3 months requires an application for an Anmeldebescheinigung within 4 months of entry (€15 to €55 depending on the municipality), or a fine of up to €250.
• Employee: automatic affiliation with the ÖGK by the employer from the start of employment, with no individual action needed. 2026 contribution: 7.65% of gross salary (3.87% employee, 3.78% employer), capped at €6,930/month of contribution base.
• Self-employed: mandatory affiliation with SVS. 2026 health contribution: 6.8% of income (on a minimum monthly base of €551.10), within total social charges of 26.83% (pension, health, welfare).
• Non-working person (person of independent means, retiree with no derived rights, certain students): the Anmeldebescheinigung is only issued with proof of sufficient resources and comprehensive health insurance cover (umfassender Krankenversicherungsschutz). Without derived rights, voluntary Selbstversicherung with the ÖGK is the standard route: €565.25/month in 2026 (a reduced rate may be available on request depending on resources), with a 6-month waiting period unless prior EU/EEA cover of at least 26 weeks in the past 12 months applies.
• Student: the EHIC is enough for a temporary stay (e.g. Erasmus). For a long-term enrolment with no derived rights, a reduced-rate student Selbstversicherung (€78.84/month in 2026) covers most care (excluding daily allowances and maternity); an equivalent private student insurance plan is also accepted.
• Seconded employee : for up to 24 months (extendable), stays on the French scheme via form A1, exempt from local affiliation.
• Retiree: form S1 from your French pension fund before departure, for cover by the ÖGK with no new contribution of your own.

There is no specific fine for lacking health insurance as in the Netherlands, but lacking comprehensive cover can deprive a non-working person of the Anmeldebescheinigung and therefore of the legal basis for their stay, on top of exposing them to full rates for care, with no support from the French embassy.

As Austria is an EU member, there is no classic bilateral agreement with France: coordination runs through EU regulations 883/2004 and 987/2009, as with other member states.

• Temporary stay: the EHIC allows cover under Austrian rules with contracted doctors; upfront payment remains possible with a Wahlarzt.
• Secondment: form A1, staying on the French scheme for up to 24 months (extendable), exempt from ÖGK affiliation.
• Long-term move: automatic ÖGK affiliation through employment, or Selbstversicherung for a non-working person; form S1 for a retiree, with no new contribution of their own.
• The EHIC covers neither repatriation, nor planned care, nor a long-term move beyond a temporary stay.

1. Before departure: notify French agencies of your departure (CPAM, CAF, France Travail, pension funds).
2. Seconded employee: request form A1 from your French fund before departure.
3. Retiree: request form S1 from your pension fund before departure.
4. Before departure or on arrival: request the EHIC to cover the transition period.
5. Within 3 days of arrival: register your address (Meldezettel) with the municipality or through the hotel.
6. Employee: check with your employer that ÖGK affiliation is effective and that you have received your e-card.
7. Self-employed: register with SVS from the start of your activity.
8. Non-working person: take out ÖGK Selbstversicherung or comprehensive private insurance, before applying for the Anmeldebescheinigung.
9. Within 4 months of arrival (stay of over 3 months): apply for the Anmeldebescheinigung at the Niederlassungsbehörde, with proof of insurance and resources.
10. Register with the roll of French nationals living abroad (French embassy in Vienna).