Student insurance in Austria in 2026: family cover, self-insurance and accident protection

If you study at a university or college in Austria, you may have several forms of insurance protection: health insurance, statutory accident insurance and the accident and liability insurance provided through the Austrian student representation. This guide explains when you can remain covered through a parent, when student self-insurance may be useful and which accidents are covered. All amounts apply to 2026.

At a glance

• You may remain covered through a parent free of charge until your 27th birthday if you are studying seriously and do not have your own insurance.
• Your monthly earnings must not exceed 551.10 euros, the small-income threshold in 2026.
• If you have no other insurance, student self-insurance costs 78.84 euros per month in 2026.
• Statutory accident insurance protects you against accidents connected with your studies without registration or a premium and with no age limit.
• The ÖH accident and liability insurance costs 0.70 euros per semester and is collected together with the ÖH fee.

Who can remain insured through a parent?

Children under 18 are generally insured together with their parents. After finishing school and starting university, you may remain covered by a parent’s health insurance free of charge. This is called Mitversicherung.

The conditions are:

• you are under 27,
• you provide evidence of academic performance, as with Familienbeihilfe,
• your main activity is clearly studying, and
• you do not have your own health insurance.

While you receive Familienbeihilfe, this itself is the relevant condition. If the benefit ends because of your age, you must prove with certificates that you are continuing your studies seriously.

Family co-insurance may also be requested through grandparents, stepparents or your spouse, not only through parents. If you receive a survivor’s benefit (Waisenrente or Waisenpension), you are automatically covered by health insurance.

Young people looking for work may remain co-insured from their 18th birthday, or from the completion of school or vocational training, for a maximum of 24 months.

How much can you earn while remaining co-insured?

Family co-insurance continues as long as your monthly earnings do not exceed the small-income threshold (Geringfügigkeitsgrenze). If you earn more, your employer automatically registers you with the Austrian Health Insurance Fund (ÖGK), and you become insured independently from that point.

This also applies to summer jobs. When the summer job ends, or if you continue working only for an amount below the threshold, you automatically return to family co-insurance provided that the other conditions are still met.

Insurance linked to monthly earnings in 2026

• Up to 551.10 euros: accident insurance only; health and pension insurance can be taken out voluntarily, while unemployment insurance is not included.
• More than 551.10 euros: accident, health, pension and unemployment insurance through the employer.

When can you take out student self-insurance?

If you have no other insurance protection, you can take out discounted student self-insurance (Studentische Selbstversicherung) with the ÖGK. The premium in 2026 is 78.84 euros per month.

You may use this option if you are enrolled as a regular student (ordentliche Hörerin, ordentlicher Hörer) at a university, college (Fachhochschule), teacher-training or theological institution, or an Austrian conservatory. It is also available to people attending a preparatory course (Vorstudienlehrgang), who have been admitted to an examination for university entrance or who receive a graduation scholarship. You must not be subject to compulsory insurance and your habitual residence must be in Austria.

Main limits

• Total annual income: below 15,000 euros per calendar year
• Eligibility period: the prescribed study period plus four semesters
• Changing degree programmes: no more than two times

What does statutory accident insurance cover?

Students from Austria and countries that have concluded a social security agreement with Austria are covered by statutory accident insurance under the ASVG. You do not need to register, submit an application or pay a premium. There is no age limit and coverage does not depend on Familienbeihilfe.

The protection applies to accidents connected with your studies, for example on the way to or from university or during ÖH activities. Occupational diseases are also covered.

Insurance remains in force while your registration for continuing your studies (Inskription) is valid, plus a reasonable period for preparing for final examinations. In the event of an accident, the report must be submitted to the university administration (Universitätsdirektion) using the relevant AUVA form.

What does ÖH accident and liability insurance provide?

Every student also has accident and liability insurance through the Austrian student representation (Österreichische Hochschülerschaft, ÖH). The premium is 0.70 euros per semester. It is collected with the ÖH fee when you enrol and when you report continuation of your studies.

Useful details:

• Accident insurance policy number: 000 1809 6819
• Liability insurance policy number: 000 1810 4297
• Claims must be reported using the appropriate claim form.
• Information line: +43 800 20 44 400

ÖH can also issue proof of insurance, for example for a semester abroad, compulsory practical training (Famulatur) or a study trip.

Frequently asked questions

How long can I remain insured through a parent as a student?

Up to your 27th birthday if you are studying seriously, have no separate insurance and your monthly earnings do not exceed 551.10 euros.

What happens if I earn more than the threshold during the summer?

Your employer registers you with the ÖGK, so you are independently insured for that period. When the job ends, you automatically return to family co-insurance if the conditions continue to be met.

Do I need to apply separately for accident insurance?

No. ASVG statutory accident insurance is automatic and free, while the ÖH insurance premium is paid together with the ÖH fee.

How much does student self-insurance cost in 2026?

It costs 78.84 euros per month if you have no other insurance and meet the income and study requirements.

Practical steps

1. Check whether you are still eligible for family co-insurance and gather evidence of your study progress if required.
2. Monitor your monthly earnings, especially during summer employment, against the 551.10-euro threshold.
3. If you are not covered elsewhere, contact the ÖGK about student self-insurance and check the 15,000-euro annual income limit.
4. Keep your Inskription valid and report any study-related accident to the Universitätsdirektion using the AUVA form.
5. Keep your ÖH insurance policy numbers and the information line available, and request proof of insurance when needed for a semester abroad, Famulatur or a study trip.

Note: This article is based on information available online and does not constitute advice. Use it at your own risk. For specialist advice, contact a lawyer, legal professional, healthcare professional, employment-law or labour-market specialist, or another relevant professional.

Source: oesterreich.gv.at