Rehabilitation, Work and Disability in Austria in 2026

If illness, an accident or lasting health damage prevents you from working, several Austrian systems can support your recovery and return to employment. These include health insurance, accident insurance, pension insurance and the office of the Federal Ministry of Social Affairs. The amounts and figures below apply to 2026.

Who pays for rehabilitation?

Responsibility depends on the cause of the health impairment:

• Work accidents or occupational diseases: the accident insurer, AUVA (Allgemeine Unfallversicherungsanstalt), is responsible for every part of rehabilitation. Medical treatment, medication and medical aids such as wheelchairs and prostheses are provided free of charge.
• Illness: the health insurer provides supplementary rehabilitation so that the results of treatment are maintained.
• Imminent inability to work: the pension insurer may intervene under the principle of Rehabilitation statt Pension (rehabilitation instead of a pension).

More information about the Austrian insurance system is available in this guide to health insurance in Austria.

Sickness benefit and support for self-employed people

Employees may receive sickness benefit (Krankengeld) once their employer is no longer required to continue paying their wages (Entgeltfortzahlung). Self-employed people (Selbstständige) may qualify for support payments (Unterstützungsleistung) if their business depends on their personal work and they regularly employ fewer than 25 people.

• Krankengeld: starts on the 4th day; it is 50% of the last earnings and 60% from the 43rd day. It is paid for 26 weeks, or 52 weeks with previous insurance, and exceptionally for 78 weeks.
• Unterstützungsleistung: starts from the 43rd day and is paid retrospectively to the 4th day. The amount in 2026 is 40.04 euros per day, for a maximum of 20 weeks for the same illness.

To qualify for the 52-week entitlement, you must have had at least 6 months of insurance in the 12 months before the illness. A medical officer decides on an extension to 78 weeks, at the latest between weeks 40 and 44.

Returning to work after a long illness

After at least six weeks of sick leave, you may agree to reduced working hours through Wiedereingliederungsteilzeit. The agreement must be in writing, following advice from fit2work and approval by the chief medical service of the health insurer.

• Weekly working hours are reduced by 25–50%.
• The arrangement lasts 1–6 months and may be extended to a total of 9 months for medical reasons.
• Wiedereingliederungsgeld is calculated from the increased sickness benefit and paid in proportion to the reduction in working hours.

Example: if working hours are reduced by half, 50% of the increased sickness benefit is paid. With 75% working hours, 25% is paid. If you become ill again during this period, you continue to receive this payment rather than sickness benefit.

Rehabilitation benefit and retraining

Since the reform of 1 January 2014, people who were younger than 50 at that time generally do not receive a fixed-term invalidity pension. If you cannot perform your occupation for health reasons for at least six months, medical rehabilitation is considered first, followed by retraining through AMS.

• Retraining benefit (Umschulungsgeld): unemployment benefit plus 22%. Retraining takes place at your previous qualification level, in a field suitable for your health and offering employment opportunities, selected together with you.
• Rehabilitation benefit (Rehabilitationsgeld): this may apply if a pension application is rejected but temporary incapacity of at least six months is established and retraining is not appropriate or cannot reasonably be expected. It is paid at the sickness-benefit rate, at the increased rate from the 43rd day, but at least at the level of the compensatory supplement for single people. An application for invalidity automatically includes an application for this benefit. If you refuse to cooperate with rehabilitation, the benefit may be withdrawn for that period.

For accident-insurance rehabilitation, AUVA pays a transitional benefit (Übergangsgeld) during vocational rehabilitation, amounting to at least 60% of previous income.

Employment options for people with disabilities

• Finding work: options include special AMS programmes, the SMS Jugendcoaching programme, the NEBA network and work assistance (Arbeitsassistenz). Since 1 January 2024, people up to the age of 25 are not automatically classified as unable to work.
• Integrative Betriebe: these are suitable for people whose work capacity is at least half that of a healthy employee. Full insurance coverage and pay under the applicable collective agreement apply. Training is available in more than 25 occupations.
• Occupational therapy (Beschäftigungstherapie): instead of wages, participants receive pocket money, which does not affect benefits such as family allowance. No formal application is required at the district authority or magistrate.

The Behindertenpass and disability-related costs

The Behindertenpass is a photo identification card available to people with a disability level of at least 50% who have a residence in Austria. Applications are submitted to the regional office of SMS. The pass does not provide a cash benefit, but it can provide discounts. From a disability level of 70%, it provides a 50% ÖBB fare reduction. You may lodge a complaint against a refusal within six weeks.

• Prescription fee (Rezeptgebühr): 7.55 euros per package in 2026.
• Medical-aid contribution under ASVG and B-KUVG: 10%, with a minimum of 46.20 euros.
• Medical-aid contribution under GSVG and BSVG: generally 20%, with a minimum of 46.20 euros.

Among those exempt from the contribution are children under 15, people receiving increased family allowance and people exempt from the prescription fee. Information about the e-card fee is available in the guide to the Austrian e-card.

Protection against discrimination

Is official disability certification required?

No. The disability does not have to be officially established, but there must be a direct connection between the disability and the disadvantageous treatment.

Where can you get free help?

You can contact the disability ombuds office (Behindertenanwältin) free of charge on 0800/80 80 16, daily from 9:00 to 12:00, or by email.

Is support available for an assistance dog?

With a disability level of at least 50%, SMS may provide support if the dog is necessary for work. People who do not work may receive up to 6000 euros from the support fund. There is no legal entitlement to this support.

Are you insured while receiving rehabilitation benefit?

Yes. You remain partially insured under health and pension insurance.

Practical steps

1. Identify whether the condition resulted from an illness, a work accident or an occupational disease, because this determines which insurer is responsible.
2. Ask your health insurer, AUVA or pension insurer about the relevant rehabilitation and payment application.
3. If you have been off work for at least six weeks, contact fit2work and discuss Wiedereingliederungsteilzeit with your employer.
4. If you cannot continue in your occupation for at least six months, ask AMS about retraining and check whether Umschulungsgeld or Rehabilitationsgeld may apply.
5. If your disability level is at least 50%, apply for a Behindertenpass through the regional SMS office.
6. If you experience discrimination, contact the Behindertenanwältin on 0800/80 80 16 or seek advice from a legal or employment specialist.

This article is based on information available online and is not legal, medical or financial advice. For individual guidance, contact a lawyer, legal professional, healthcare professional, employment-law or employment-services specialist, or another qualified adviser.

Source: oesterreich.gv.at