Mobile and Social Services at Home in Austria

If an older, ill or disabled person wants to remain at home, a wide range of services can help in Austria—from meal delivery to professional nursing. These are generally known as social services (soziale Dienste). This guide explains the main types of support, who provides them and where to ask for help.

In brief

• The federal states are primarily responsible for providing social services; in practice, charitable organisations deliver them.
• There is no legal entitlement to social services (kein Rechtsanspruch).
• If a fee is charged, factors such as income and the amount of Pflegegeld must be taken into account.
• Medical home nursing is available for a maximum of four weeks for one insurance case. It can continue afterwards with approval from the chief medical officer of the social insurance provider.
• Free, confidential advice is available throughout Austria at 0800 201 611.

What types of social services are available?

Social services are generally divided into four main groups:

• Mobile services (mobile Dienste): for example, meal delivery to the home (Essen auf Rädern).
• Outpatient services (ambulante Dienste): for example, psychosocial services.
• Partly residential services (teilstationäre Dienste): for example, day-care facilities.
• Residential services (stationäre Dienste): for example, homes for older people and nursing homes.

This article focuses mainly on services provided in a person’s home.

Nursing and care at home

Home nursing (Hauskrankenpflege)

Home nursing provides professional nursing care for people of any age and with any illness. It may only be provided by a person authorised to do so under the Health and Nursing Act (GuKG). Nurses can also train and advise family members.

It is important to distinguish between two types of home nursing:

• Medical home nursing: available for a maximum of four weeks for the same insurance case. After this period, it can continue only with approval from the chief medical officer or reviewing medical officer of the social insurance provider.
• Social home nursing: provided as part of mobile nursing and care services and can be used for a longer period.

Home help (Heimhilfe)

Trained home helpers can assist with household tasks, personal hygiene and preparing meals. They can accompany a person to an authority or doctor and encourage them to carry out everyday activities independently wherever possible.

Nursing assistants

Nursing assistants (Pflegeassistenz, Pflegefachassistenz) support qualified nurses. A nursing assistant works under supervision, while a nursing specialist assistant can also work without supervision. Tasks may include preventing pressure sores, applying simple dressings or administering an insulin injection.

Mobile therapy

Mobile physiotherapy and occupational therapy can be provided at home to support rehabilitation and help a person maintain the greatest possible level of independence.

Help with household tasks

Mobile services are intended for people who cannot manage certain tasks themselves because of illness, age or disability:

• Meal delivery (Essenszustelldienst): a hot meal delivered occasionally or every day, taking dietary requirements into account.
• Cleaning service (Reinigungsdienst): heavier tasks such as window cleaning and the care of furniture and floors.
• Repair service (Reparaturdienst): household repairs and accessibility improvements, such as installing grab rails. These services do not work on gas or electrical appliances.
• Laundry service (Wäschepflegedienst): laundry is collected, washed, ironed and returned.
• Transport service (Fahrtendienst): people who cannot use public transport can be taken by taxi from the gate. They generally have to travel the route from the gate to the apartment door themselves. Some federal states and municipalities offer discounts, such as a Fahrtenscheck.

Safety and social contact

Emergency call telephone (Notruftelefon)

An emergency call telephone is intended for people who live alone and have limited mobility. Using a transmitter worn on a bracelet or necklace, the user can contact the provider’s emergency call centre at the press of a button, day and night. Providers may include Caritas, Hilfswerk, the Red Cross and Volkshilfe.

Deaf and hard-of-hearing people can contact the police, fire brigade or ambulance service by SMS or fax using the free number 0800 133 133.

Visiting service (Besuchsdienst)

Visiting services support people who are lonely through conversation, card games, visits to cafés and excursions, under the guidance of a professional.

Personal care and assistance

Personal care (Personenbetreuung) and personal assistance (Persönliche Assistenz) can help with everyday tasks, accompaniment and social contact. Personal assistance is specifically intended for people with disabilities.

Relief for family carers

• Short-term care (Kurzzeitpflege): if a family member who provides care at home goes on holiday, for example, the person receiving care can temporarily receive care in an institution such as a nursing home.
• Advice for family members (Angehörigenberatung): trained professionals can also help establish self-help groups.
• Mobile hospice: support for people in the final stage of life and their families. At the family’s request, support may be available during the day, at night or around the clock, including hourly night-time vigils at home.
• Rental of nursing aids (Verleih von Pflegebehelfen): equipment can be selected for the individual’s needs and supplied with instructions for use.

Community Nursing

Community Nursing operated as a pilot project in every federal state from 2022 to 2024, with 117 projects. As part of the financial equalisation arrangement for 2024 to 2028, it was incorporated into the nursing care fund (Pflegefonds), allowing the federal states to continue the projects.

How much do services cost?

You can find out the actual costs directly from the service providers. If a contribution towards the cost (Kostenbeitrag) is charged, social factors must be taken into account, including the type of service, income and the amount of Pflegegeld.

There is no automatic entitlement to these services, and prices and eligibility conditions can vary. Ask the provider which documents are required.

Where can you apply?

• In a municipality: the municipal office (Gemeindeamt) or district authority (Bezirkshauptmannschaft).
• In a statutory city: the Magistrat.
• In Vienna: a Sozialzentrum or Fonds Soziales Wien.

Services are mostly provided by charitable organisations such as Volkshilfe, Caritas, Diakonie, Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund, Hilfswerk and Lebenshilfe.

Frequently asked questions

Do I automatically qualify for a social service?

No. There is no legal entitlement to social services, although the federal states must ensure that suitable services are available.

How long does the insurance provider pay for home nursing?

Medical home nursing is available for a maximum of four weeks for one insurance case. It can continue afterwards with approval from the chief medical officer of the social insurance provider.

Is free advice available about care-related questions?

Yes. The Civil Service of the Federal Ministry of Social Affairs can be reached throughout Austria free of charge and confidentially at 0800 201 611. The social service of Sozialministeriumservice is also free and can be anonymous on request.

Practical steps

1. Identify the type of support needed, such as nursing, household help, transport, emergency assistance or respite care.
2. Contact the relevant office for your place of residence: Gemeindeamt or Bezirkshauptmannschaft, Magistrat, or in Vienna a Sozialzentrum or Fonds Soziales Wien.
3. Ask the service provider about availability, eligibility, required documents and the exact Kostenbeitrag.
4. Have information about income and Pflegegeld ready if the provider assesses the contribution based on social circumstances.
5. For general care-related advice, call 0800 201 611. Deaf and hard-of-hearing people can contact emergency services by SMS or fax at 0800 133 133.

Source: oesterreich.gv.at