Austria's Healthcare System and Facilities

By Stephen
Last Updated 22 Jan 2024
Austria's Healthcare System and Facilities
Image illustration of relocation to Austria

Healthcare facilities in Austria: Universal healthcare coverage. High-quality medical services. Multiple healthcare insurance options. Registration with local doctor required. Access to public and private hospitals. General practitioner's referral for specialists. Comprehensive family health programs. E-Card system for medical identification. Emergency services widely available. Regular health check-ups encouraged.

Universal healthcare coverage.

Austria's healthcare system provides universal coverage for residents and EU citizens, funded primarily through social health insurance funds. It offers a free choice of providers and unrestricted access to General Practitioners, specialist physicians, and hospitals. For more details and insights about this system, visit the Austrian Healthcare System page.

High-quality medical services.

Austria's healthcare system is renowned for its high-quality medical services, with state-of-the-art facilities and highly skilled medical professionals, ensuring excellent care in both public and private hospitals. This system is supported by a robust medical education framework and strict quality assurance measures. To learn more about the extensive healthcare services in Austria, visit the Austrian Healthcare website for detailed information.

Multiple healthcare insurance options.

In Austria, healthcare insurance is mandatory, with public health insurance covering essential care, including doctor visits and hospital stays, financed through social security contributions and taxes. Additionally, individuals can opt for Private Health Insurance to supplement public coverage, offering more flexibility, better benefits, and access to private healthcare services.

Registration with local doctor required.

In Austria, while it is not mandatory for patients to register with a local doctor, it is essential for doctors themselves to register with the Austrian Medical Chamber in order to practice. This process requires providing various documents, such as proof of medical training, good standing, and sufficient German language skills.

Access to public and private hospitals.

In Austria, access to both public and private hospitals is available, with public hospitals providing free basic care covered by public health insurance, while private hospitals offer higher levels of comfort and flexibility, often requiring private health insurance or out-of-pocket payments. Patients can be referred to either type of hospital by their doctor, and emergency care is accessible at public hospitals with a European Health Insurance Card or other valid insurance.

General practitioner's referral for specialists.

In Austria, patients typically need to visit a General Practitioner (GP) first, who then provides a referral to see a specialist. However, exceptions exist for direct appointments with Gynecologists, Dentists, or Eye Specialists. For more detailed information about the healthcare system and patient procedures, you can visit the comprehensive resource available at Austria Health.

Comprehensive family health programs.

The Austrian Early Childhood Intervention Programme, known as Fruhe Hilfen, plays a pivotal role in providing comprehensive family health services through its regional Early Childhood Intervention Networks. Designed to support families in need, this initiative offers home visits and referrals to other essential services, with a dedicated focus on creating healthy environments for children, particularly those in burdened family situations. By being an evidence-based program, it aims to prevent toxic stress and promote sustainable population health and equity. For more information, visit the Austrian Early Childhood Intervention Programme to learn how these efforts support families with young children in improving relational health and overall well-being.

E-Card system for medical identification.

The e-card in Austria is an Electronic Health Insurance Card that serves as a confirmation of health insurance and also functions as a European Health Insurance Card, entitling the owner to free treatment at state healthcare facilities throughout the EU. It must be issued with a photo, contains the owner's social security number, and is required for all medical visits, ensuring easy access to healthcare services. For more detailed information, you can visit the e-card website.

Emergency services widely available.

In Austria, emergency services are widely available, with access to emergency medical care for all residents and tourists. Key emergency numbers include 144 for ambulance services, 141 for emergency medical services outside office hours, and 112 as the European emergency number, ensuring rapid response times across the country. For more comprehensive information about healthcare options, visit the detailed guide on Hospitals In Austria, which provides essential insights into the healthcare infrastructure and resources available to both locals and visitors.

Regular health check-ups encouraged.

In Austria, every person aged 18 and over is entitled to a free medical check-up once a year, which includes various tests such as blood and urine tests, physical examinations, and specialized checks to identify and manage health risk factors early. These check-ups can be conducted at general practitioners, day clinics, and healthcare centres, with the goal of early disease detection and lifestyle improvement. For more detailed information, you can visit the Health Prevention Website which outlines the available services and objectives of these preventive measures.



Last Updated 22 Jan 2024
With a background in real estate and logistics, Stephen combines his wealth of knowledge with a passion for providing practical, stress-free moving solutions. As the author of various articles on moving tips, Stephen excels in breaking down the complexities of relocation into manageable and easy-to-follow steps.

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