Pregnancy in Austria: Eltern-Kind-Pass, maternity hospitals and essential steps

During pregnancy in Austria, the main tasks include arranging the Eltern-Kind-Pass examinations, notifying your employer and applying for Wochengeld. These steps affect both healthcare and financial support, including the amount of GYES (Kinderbetreuungsgeld) you may receive.

What is the Eltern-Kind-Pass?

The Eltern-Kind-Pass supports preventive healthcare for pregnant women and young children. It covers examinations during pregnancy and medical examinations until the child reaches the age of 5. The former Mutter-Kind-Pass was given its new name as part of the move towards digitalisation.

The gynaecologist usually gives you the pass after confirming the pregnancy. You may also receive it from:

• a general practitioner (Allgemeinmediziner),
• an outpatient clinic (Ambulatorium),
• a pregnancy or family counselling centre (Schwangeren- bzw. Familienberatungsstelle),
• the outpatient department of a maternity unit.

Important: A new Eltern-Kind-Pass examination programme has applied since 1 October 2026. Details are still being updated.

Are the examinations free?

The pass and all examinations listed in the relevant regulation are free when you use a contracted doctor (Vertragsärztin/Vertragsarzt). This does not generally apply to private doctors.

The child is generally insured together with the parents. The only very rare exception is when neither parent has health insurance.

Examination deadlines and GYES

As a general rule, the first pregnancy examination must be completed by the end of the 16th week of pregnancy. The baby’s first examination is due during the first week after birth.

Payment of the full amount of GYES (Kinderbetreuungsgeld) depends on correctly completing and proving the first ten examinations: five during pregnancy and five after the baby’s birth.

• When applying for GYES: provide copies confirming the five pregnancy examinations and the baby’s first examination.
• By the child’s 15th month: provide copies confirming the baby’s other four examinations.
• If an examination is missing or proved late: a reduction of generally 1,300 euros per parent applies.

If both parents receive GYES, the 1,300 euros is deducted from both payments. Depending on the selected version, the reduction starts from the 25th, 17th, 13th or 10th month. For twins, the examinations must be proved separately for each child.

The following are not required for receiving the full amount of GYES: an ultrasound during pregnancy, midwifery counselling (Hebammenberatung), a hip ultrasound, and the child’s examination between the 6th and 9th examinations.

The three relevant forms in the pass serve as proof. Every examination must be confirmed with a doctor’s stamp and signature. Send copies and keep the original pages in the pass, as the insurer may request them later.

Examinations completed abroad may be recognised if their type, number and timing exactly match the Austrian requirements and suitable medical confirmation is provided.

How to choose a hospital for the birth

The Kliniksuche.at portal provides neutral, quality-checked information about Austrian hospitals. Hospital profiles include:

• contact details, hospital management and visiting hours,
• departments and medical services,
• hotel services (Hotelangebot),
• maternity information (Geburtshilfe).

For individual departments, you can check the number of beds, staff and professional focus. The portal also provides outpatient consultation hours. It developed from the A-IQI project, which measures hospital outcome quality consistently across Austria.

What must you do at work?

If you are an employee, you must:

1. Notify your employer of the pregnancy and expected delivery date immediately after learning about them.
2. Provide medical confirmation of the pregnancy and expected delivery date if requested.
3. Remind your employer within the four weeks before the start of the protection period (Schutzfrist), which normally begins 8 weeks before birth.
4. Notify your employer if the pregnancy ends prematurely.

If a check-up changes the expected delivery date, it is also advisable to inform your employer. During pregnancy and for four months after the birth, valid dismissal is not permitted. As a general rule, termination (Entlassung) requires the approval of the labour and social court.

How to apply for Wochengeld

Wochengeld, the benefit paid during the protection period, must be requested from the health insurer, either in person or by post.

Documents needed before the birth

• an employer’s employment and income confirmation (Arbeits- und Entgeltbestätigung), or, if receiving unemployment benefits or GYES, confirmation from the paying institution of entitlement (Mitteilung über den Leistungsanspruch),
• medical confirmation of the expected delivery date; if the protection period starts earlier, an exemption certificate (Freistellungszeugnis).

Additional documents after the birth

After the birth, you also need the birth certificate and confirmation of the hospital stay. In cases of premature birth, multiple birth or caesarean section, provide confirmation from the hospital.

After the birth, you should also check your entitlement to family allowance (Familienbeihilfe).

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to use a contracted doctor?

No. However, the examinations are free only when carried out by a contracted doctor.

What happens if an examination is missed?

Generally, 1,300 euros is deducted from GYES. If both parents receive it, the deduction applies to both.

Can examinations completed abroad be accepted?

Yes, if their type, number and timing exactly match the Austrian requirements and this is confirmed by suitable medical documentation.

Are the baby’s vaccinations free?

The free vaccination programme includes several vaccinations recommended during the first two years, such as rotavirus, the six-component vaccine and pneumococcal vaccination. Austria has no compulsory vaccination requirement.

Practical steps before the birth

1. Obtain the Eltern-Kind-Pass after the pregnancy is confirmed.
2. Book the examinations with a Vertragsarzt and keep every page properly stamped and signed.
3. Track the deadline for the first examination: the end of the 16th week of pregnancy.
4. Inform your employer about the pregnancy and expected delivery date immediately.
5. Compare maternity departments using Kliniksuche.at and check their Geburtshilfe information.
6. Collect the documents needed for Wochengeld and submit the application to the health insurer.
7. Keep copies of all examination confirmations and submit them with your GYES application and by the child’s 15th month.

This information is based on publicly available sources and is not professional advice. For individual medical, employment, legal or benefits guidance, consult the relevant qualified professional.

Source: oesterreich.gv.at