Health Insurance in Austria: ÖGK, BVAEB and SVS

In Austria, you do not choose your statutory health insurer: your occupation determines which institution is responsible. Three major institutions provide health insurance, each covering specific groups. This guide explains who belongs to which insurer, when insurance starts and which benefits you may claim.

At a glance

• Health insurance is provided by three institutions: ÖGK, BVAEB and SVS.
• Insurance is compulsory (Pflichtversicherung) and begins automatically when the legal conditions are met, whether or not you know about it or want it.
• The marginal-employment threshold (Geringfügigkeitsgrenze) is 551.10 euros per month in 2026. Below this amount, there is no compulsory health insurance.
• You have rights to certain benefits, such as hospital treatment, sickness benefit and dental treatment. If a compulsory benefit is refused, you can take the matter to court.

Which insurer covers which group?

Compulsory insurance is primarily connected to the gainful activity you actually perform. The nature of your work therefore determines which law and institution apply to you.

ÖGK (Österreichische Gesundheitskasse)

• Employees and free service contractors (freie Dienstnehmer)
• Apprentices (Lehrlinge)
• Home-based workers
• People receiving an ASVG pension while staying in Austria
• People receiving childcare allowance (Kinderbetreuungsgeld)
• People receiving cash benefits from unemployment insurance

The relevant legislation is the ASVG.

BVAEB (Versicherungsanstalt öffentlich Bediensteter, Eisenbahnen und Bergbau)

• Public-law employees of the federation, federal states and municipalities
• Federal contractual employees (Vertragsbedienstete) whose employment relationship began on or after 1 January 1999
• Federal-state and municipal contractual employees whose employment relationship began on or after 1 January 2001
• Employees of public railways and mining businesses (knappschaftliche Betriebe)
• Members of parliament and members of the government
• People receiving a pension based on a former public-law service relationship

The relevant legislation is the B-KUVG.

SVS (Sozialversicherungsanstalt der Selbständigen)

• Business operators who are members of the Economic Chamber (Wirtschaftskammer, WKO). Holding a trade licence (Gewerbeberechtigung) also means chamber membership.
• Partners in an OG and general partners with unlimited liability in a KG
• A managing shareholder of a GmbH, if the company is a chamber member
• “New self-employed” people (neue Selbständige) whose income exceeds the insurance threshold
• Farm operators who meet the conditions under the BSVG

The relevant legislation for self-employed people is the GSVG, BSVG or FSVG. Farm operators are compulsorily insured under the BSVG if the farm’s assessed value (Einheitswert) is at least 1,500 euros. For accident insurance, the threshold is 150 euros.

Full and partial insurance

Social insurance has three branches: health, accident and pension insurance. If you are compulsorily insured in all three, this is called full insurance (Vollversicherung). If you are insured in no more than two branches, this is partial insurance (Teilversicherung).

When does compulsory insurance start?

Insurance starts when the legal conditions are met. For example, an employee becomes compulsorily insured when their pay exceeds the marginal-employment threshold. It does not matter whether you know about the insurance or want it.

• Marginal-employment threshold in 2026: 551.10 euros per month
• Maximum contribution assessment base (Höchstbeitragsgrundlage) in 2026: 6,930 euros per month

If your pay remains below the threshold, you have accident insurance only. Voluntary health and pension insurance may then be available.

What does the insurer pay for?

The insurer covers treatment costs when the treatment is appropriate and necessary, but the costs may not exceed what is necessary. A deductible (Selbstbehalt) or cost contribution may apply. Expensive examinations and medicines may require approval from the chief medical officer (chefärztliche Bewilligung).

Medicines are assigned colour codes. Green medicines can be prescribed freely, while yellow medicines are reimbursed only under special conditions or with approval from the chief medical officer.

Compulsory benefits

You have a legal right to compulsory benefits (Pflichtleistungen), including:

• Medical treatment and hospital care
• Sickness benefit (Krankengeld), rehabilitation benefit and reintegration benefit after a long period of illness
• Maternity benefit (Wochengeld)
• Orthodontic treatment, dental treatment and dentures
• Medical aids, such as glasses and orthopaedic insoles
• Travel and transport costs

There is no legal entitlement to voluntary benefits, such as a therapeutic spa treatment (Kur).

You identify yourself at the doctor’s office with your e-card.

Frequently asked questions

Can I choose my insurer?

No. Compulsory insurance is connected to the gainful activity you actually perform, so your work determines which institution covers you.

What can I do if the insurer refuses a compulsory benefit?

You can request a formal decision (Bescheid). A free-form letter with the date and your signature is sufficient; name the benefit that was refused. The insurer has two weeks to provide reasons. You can challenge the decision free of charge before the court responsible for employment and social matters. In Vienna, this is the Arbeits- und Sozialgericht Wien.

Can I visit any insurer’s customer service office?

Yes. Through the so-called “Allspartenservice”, you can ask any social insurance customer service office for help with any matter.

Is there a free health check for young people?

Yes. Insured people aged 15 to 17, up to their 18th birthday, are invited once a year to a free youth health examination (Jugendlichenuntersuchung). This applies to people insured with ÖGK, SVS and BVAEB.

Practical steps

1. Identify the type of work or benefit that gives you insurance coverage.
2. Check whether your monthly pay is above or below the 551.10-euro marginal-employment threshold in 2026.
3. Find out whether you have full insurance or only partial insurance.
4. Use your e-card when receiving medical treatment.
5. Ask whether a deductible or chief medical officer approval applies before expensive treatment or medication.
6. If a compulsory benefit is refused, request a Bescheid in writing and consider bringing a free claim before the relevant employment and social court.

This information is based on sources available online and does not constitute professional advice. For advice about your individual situation, consult a lawyer, legal professional, healthcare professional or employment specialist.