Prescription charges, e-card fees, ORF and electricity exemptions in Austria in 2026

In Austria, some people do not have to pay prescription charges, and their annual e-card service fee is also waived. Some exemptions apply automatically, while others require an application. The rules below cover the 2026 income limits, the prescription-charge cap, and how ORF fees and the electricity social tariff are connected.

In brief

• Since 1 January 2026, the prescription charge (Rezeptgebühr) is 7.55 euros.
• Anyone exempt from the prescription charge is also exempt from the e-card service fee (Service-Entgelt), as are eligible co-insured dependants.
• Once prescription charges paid in a calendar year reach 2 percent of your annual net income, you are automatically exempt for the rest of that year.
• An application-based exemption may be available if your monthly net income does not exceed the 2026 guideline amount, which is 1,308.39 euros for a single person.
• Exemption from the ORF fee and the electricity social tariff (Strom-Sozialtarif) are separate benefits that are connected to one another.

How much is the prescription charge in 2026?

The prescription charge is paid at the pharmacy for each prescribed medicine dispensed. In 2026, it is 7.55 euros per item.

An exemption has two main benefits: you do not pay prescription charges, and the e-card service fee is also waived. The benefit applies not only to the insured person but also to eligible dependants insured with them.

Who is generally exempt?

The following groups are exempt without an income assessment:

• people with a notifiable infectious disease. In this case, the exemption applies only to medicines needed to treat that disease, and the doctor marks this on the prescription;
• people completing civilian service (Zivildienstleistende) and their dependants;
• asylum seekers receiving federal support (Asylwerber in Bundesbetreuung).

Automatic exemption because of social hardship

You are exempt without applying if you receive certain payments because of particular social hardship, such as an equalisation supplement (Ausgleichszulage) or supplementary allowance (Ergänzungszulage).

The following are also automatically exempt:

• people completing civilian service;
• participants in the voluntary social year (Freiwilliges Sozialjahr);
• people who are voluntarily insured because they care for a disabled child.

An exemption that has already been approved remains valid.

The 2% prescription-charge cap

If you do not qualify on another basis, you may still become exempt when the prescription charges you have paid during the calendar year reach 2 percent of your annual net income. No application is required, and you do not have to pay further prescription charges until the end of that year.

There is a minimum threshold (Mindestobergrenze): the cap only takes effect after you have paid at least 41 prescription charges, each costing 7.55 euros in 2026.

The umbrella organisation of the social insurance institutions (Dachverband der Sozialversicherungsträger) records the payments in a medicine-cost account (Heilmittelkostenkonto). Once you reach the limit, the exemption appears when your e-card is read at your next medical visit. The doctor marks the new prescription, and the pharmacy no longer charges a prescription fee. You can also view the account online using ID Austria or EU-Login.

Important details

• Annual net income is calculated from data already held by the social insurance institution, including the contribution base, pension, unemployment benefit and sickness benefit. Usually, the most recent available year's data is used; for pensioners, the current pension is used.
• If your current income no longer matches this data, you can ask your health insurance institution to recalculate your annual net income.
• Prescription charges paid for your co-insured dependants count towards the cap, but their own income does not.
• The doctor, assistant and pharmacy can see only that an exemption applies. They cannot see the reason, your income or your medicines.

Application-based exemption: 2026 income limits

You may apply for an exemption if your monthly net income does not exceed the following guideline amounts (Richtwerte):

• Single person: 1,308.39 euros
• Single person with increased medicine requirements: 1,504.65 euros
• Married couple or cohabiting couple: 2,064.12 euros
• Married couple or cohabiting couple with increased medicine requirements: 2,373.74 euros
• Increase for each co-insured child: +201.88 euros

The income of your spouse or partner is added to yours. The income of other people living in the household is taken into account at 12.5 percent.

Submit the application to the responsible health insurance institution (Krankenversicherungsträger). The required documents depend on your circumstances and may include your latest monthly payslip, pension statement, proof of your partner's income or accident insurance pension. The insurance institution can tell you which documents must be attached.

For questions about the e-card, contact the e-card customer service line (E-Card-Serviceline) on 050 124 3311.

ORF fees and the electricity social tariff

Exemption from the radio and television fee (Befreiung von Rundfunkgebühren) is handled in the same area as eligibility for the electricity social tariff, telephone-cost support (Zuschussleistung Telefon) and EAG cost exemption (EAG-Kostenbefreiung). These four benefits are therefore connected.

For background on the fee system, see our article about the change from GIS.

Support funds in cases of serious financial need

In exceptional financial hardship, health insurance and pension insurance institutions may operate a support fund (Unterstützungsfonds), for example for very high treatment costs. There is no legal entitlement to this assistance: each case is assessed individually, taking income and assets into account.

People with disabilities who have a disability level of at least 50 percent and permanent residence in Austria can apply for support through the regional office of the Federal Social Office (Sozialministeriumservice).

Frequently asked questions

How much is a prescription charge in 2026?

Since 1 January, the prescription charge has been 7.55 euros.

Do I need to apply for the 2% cap?

No. Once your prescription charges reach 2 percent of your annual net income, the exemption starts automatically and appears when your e-card is read.

Can the pharmacy see why I am exempt?

No. It can see only that an exemption applies, not your income, medicines or the reason for the exemption.

Do I still have to pay the e-card fee if I am exempt from prescription charges?

No. Prescription-charge exemption also means that you do not have to pay the e-card service fee.

Practical steps

1. Check whether you belong to an automatically exempt group or already receive a payment that provides an automatic exemption.
2. Keep track of prescription charges paid for yourself and your co-insured dependants.
3. Check your Heilmittelkostenkonto online with ID Austria or EU-Login to monitor the 2% cap.
4. If your income is below the relevant 2026 guideline amount, contact your Krankenversicherungsträger and ask which documents are required for an application.
5. For e-card questions, contact the E-Card-Serviceline on 050 124 3311.
6. For ORF, telephone and electricity-related benefits, check the combined application and exemption arrangements for Befreiung von Rundfunkgebühren, Strom-Sozialtarif, Zuschussleistung Telefon and EAG-Kostenbefreiung.

Note: This article is based on information available online and is not legal, medical or other professional advice. Use the information at your own risk. If you need specialist advice, contact a lawyer, legal professional, healthcare professional, employment specialist or another relevant adviser.

Source: oesterreich.gv.at