European Health Insurance Card and Medical Care Abroad in 2026

If you are insured in Austria and become ill or have an accident abroad, the rules depend on the country you are visiting. Different arrangements apply in the EU, Serbia, Turkey and countries outside Austria’s social security agreements. This guide explains what Austrian statutory health insurance covers and what it does not cover in 2026.

European Health Insurance Card: what it is and where to find it

In Austria, you normally do not need to apply for a separate European Health Insurance Card. The Europäische Krankenversicherungskarte (EKVK) is generally printed on the back of your e-card.

Take your e-card when travelling to the EU, EEA countries or Switzerland. If the data fields on the back are replaced by asterisks, you do not have a valid EKVK. You may also need a temporary replacement certificate (Bescheinigung) if you have lost your e-card. Contact your health insurance provider to request one.

The E-Card-Serviceline provides information about the e-card: +43 (0) 50 124 3311.

Which document do you need in each destination?

• EU, EEA countries and Switzerland: take your e-card with the EKVK on the back. Contract doctors and hospitals should provide treatment under the same conditions that apply to locally insured people.
• Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia: the EKVK or a foreign medical treatment certificate can be used. You must first present it to the local insurer, which issues a local treatment form (Behandlungsschein).
• Turkey: the EKVK cannot be used. You need a foreign medical treatment certificate (Auslandskrankenschein), which is normally issued by your employer or health insurer before departure.
• All other countries: where there is no agreement, you generally pay first and can later request a partial reimbursement.

Getting medical treatment in the EU

In the EU, EEA and Switzerland, contract doctors (Vertragsärzte) and contract hospitals accept the EKVK. Treatment is provided under the same conditions as for people insured in that country.

You generally only have to pay where locally insured people would also have to pay under the rules of that country.

A provider may nevertheless refuse the card, request cash payment or operate as a private doctor or private hospital. In that situation, ask for a detailed invoice showing:

• the type of treatment,
• the extent of the treatment,
• the diagnosis,
• the date of treatment.

Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Turkey

Austria has social security agreements with these countries that also cover health insurance benefits.

In Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro and North Macedonia, the EKVK can be used, but not directly at the doctor’s office. First present it to the local insurer, which issues a local treatment form (Behandlungsschein).

Before travelling to Turkey, obtain a foreign medical treatment certificate in good time. This is generally issued by your employer or the relevant health insurer before departure. In Turkey, you must present it to the local social security institution and exchange it for the usual local treatment form.

In these countries, treatment is provided only under the local rules. Services not covered by the agreement must be paid for privately. Ask for a detailed invoice so that you can submit it to the relevant insurer afterwards.

How much can be reimbursed if you pay yourself?

In a country with which Austria has no agreement, you must pay medical and hospital costs yourself first. After returning home, you can submit the invoice under the rules for treatment by a chosen doctor (Wahlarzthilfe).

• Medical treatment: up to 80 percent of the amount that the insurer would have paid to a contract doctor.
• Hospital care in a hospital without a contract: only a care-cost subsidy (Pflegekostenzuschuss).

Planned treatment in another EU country

Under the Patient Mobility Directive (Patientenmobilitätsrichtlinie), you can receive healthcare in the EU, as well as in Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, without prior authorisation if you pay the costs yourself. You can then receive reimbursement, but only up to the actual cost and only for treatment to which you are entitled under Austrian law.

• Outpatient treatment: reimbursement is based on 80 percent of the Austrian contract tariff.
• Certain treatments: full reimbursement for inpatient care and particularly expensive outpatient treatment requiring high-end technology is available only with prior authorisation (Vorabgenehmigung). Without authorisation, inpatient care generally qualifies only for a care-cost subsidy.
• Emergency cases: an exception applies where an emergency is documented and authorisation could not be obtained, or could not be obtained in time.

The rules do not cover long-term care, organ transplants or community vaccination programmes.

Prescriptions and repatriation

A prescription issued at home is valid in all EU countries, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. A medicine may have a different name abroad or may not be available at all. You can therefore ask your doctor for a prescription intended for use abroad, helping the pharmacy understand the active ingredient and dosage.

The cost of repatriation is not paid by Austrian statutory health insurance. Before travelling, take out private travel insurance covering illness, accidents, repatriation and rescue.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to apply separately for the European Health Insurance Card in Austria?

Normally not. The EKVK is on the back of your e-card. If there are asterisks instead of the data fields, request a temporary replacement certificate from your insurer.

Can I use the card in Turkey?

No. Turkey requires a foreign medical treatment certificate (Auslandskrankenschein), issued by your employer or insurer before departure.

Does the insurer pay for repatriation?

No. No Austrian statutory health insurer covers repatriation. Private travel insurance is needed for this.

What should I do if a doctor does not accept the card?

Ask for a detailed invoice stating the type and extent of treatment, the diagnosis and the date.

Practical steps before and during your trip

1. Check that your e-card is valid and that the back does not show asterisks.
2. Contact your health insurer if you need a temporary replacement certificate.
3. For Turkey, request an Auslandskrankenschein before departure.
4. For Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro or North Macedonia, plan to present the document to the local insurer first.
5. Keep all invoices and medical documents, including the treatment type, extent, diagnosis and date.
6. Buy private travel insurance covering illness, accidents, rescue and repatriation.

This article is based on information available online and does not constitute advice. Use it at your own responsibility. For specialist advice, contact a lawyer, legal professional, healthcare professional, employment-law or labour-market specialist, or another relevant professional.

Source: oesterreich.gv.at