We all know that our health is important, so it’s only natural that if you’re about to spend a few months living in Austria because of your study (Erasmus)/working stay, you will want to learn more about its healthcare system. How much does Austria spend on healthcare? Does Austria have universal healthcare? How good is Austrian healthcare? These are surely among the questions floating through your mind, and we at Flatio have got your back – in this article, you’ll find all the most crucial info, concisely summarized for your convenience!
Austria’s healthcare - contribution, expenditure and more
Right off the bat, it should be said that Austria has one of the best health care systems in the world, so you can be sure you’ll be in good hands. But how is this standard of care supported? And what is the difference between private and public healthcare in Austria? Let’s look at all of this in more detail.
The Healthcare industry in Austria
As mentioned above, the quality of Austrian healthcare is excellent, but what is also of note is the widespread access to healthcare - due to the way the system is set up, virtually everyone in Austria receives publicly funded care! So, if you were worried about how you are going to get health coverage in Austria, you can rest easy.
Austria’s health expenditure
In Austria, healthcare spending at the moment amounts to about 10% of the GDP. That’s quite a lot, so no wonder the quality is so good! But this piece of information is also good news because it means that, being subsidized by the state to such an extent, it’s pretty good for your wallet. Excellent and affordable healthcare – what more could you wish for?!
Healthcare contribution in Austria
Health insurance is mandatory in Austria, and it’s generally linked to employment, meaning it automatically gets deducted from your salary. Sound convenient? It sure is! But the benefits do not end there: Austrian public health insurance also comes with co-insurance of children and non-working partners, so if your family is coming along with you, you will all be covered.
As for private health insurance, it is mainly used to obtain some higher-quality services in the public healthcare system. It can, for example, provide you with easier access to smaller wards in hospitals, which can be pleasant if you’d like to make sure your hospital stay will be as peaceful as possible.
Public healthcare in Austria
Does Austria have free healthcare? Yes, pretty much! Thanks to compulsory health insurance, all citizens and residents of Austria, as well as tourists, have free access to basic healthcare. This covers things such as medication, treatment in public hospitals, and basic dental care. Due to the healthcare system being state-funded, patients can only use the services of those healthcare providers which have a partnership with the state, but don’t worry – this doesn’t mean you will only be able to consult public healthcare providers, as many private dentists and doctors also have this contract.
Private healthcare in Austria
The medical professionals with whom the state does not have a partnership are known in Austria as elective doctors. You’ve perhaps already figured out that you will have to pay to see these, but seeing as 80% of the costs may be reimbursed by social health insurance, these healthcare providers are still a great choice should you want to use their services.
Health care problems in Austria
While any health care system is bound to have some problems, the Austrian one admittedly doesn’t have many which would be very significant from the perspective of clients, which is pretty amazing! Of course, some hospitals or doctors are likely to be of better quality than others, so it might happen that you encounter a provider that doesn’t suit you. However, considering the overall high quality of the system, most of your experiences will probably be positive.
Feeling a bit more knowledgeable now? We sure hope so! It’s important to remember that this is only a brief summary of Austrian healthcare. But the good news is that no matter what you wish to know, you can no doubt easily find the answer online – for example on the website of the Austrian Federal Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, Health and Consumer Protection. A quick search can go a long way!
And we would also like to remind you, that if you need accommodation for your short (study) stay in Austria, Germany, Czech Republic or other European countries and cities (Budapest and Berlin for example), Flatio is here to help! Just take a look at our site and pick your favorite apartment from our offer list!
