Traffic Accidents in Austria: Reporting, Insurance and Social Security in 2026

After a traffic accident in Austria, the issue is not only damage to the vehicle. You may also need to establish who pays for medical treatment and what support is available if you cannot work for an extended period. Alongside liability insurance, several branches of social security may become involved. The key question is often whether the accident qualifies as a work accident.

When is a traffic accident a work accident?

For an employee, a traffic accident may qualify as a work accident (Arbeitsunfall) if, for example:

• it was caused by carrying out work;
• it happened on the direct route from home to work, while travelling from work to lunch or on the way home, including in a car pool;
• it happened on the way to or from training towards whose costs the employer contributes;
• it happened on the direct route to a doctor, where this interrupted the journey to work or home and the employer had been informed of the medical appointment in advance;
• it happened while taking a child who needs supervision to kindergarten, school or childcare, or while returning from there;
• it happened while travelling to or from employee representation, such as the Arbeiterkammer or a trade union.

For kindergarten children, school pupils and university students, accidents connected with school or university education may also qualify. Examples include excursions, school events, the direct route to school and practical training required by the curriculum.

Other situations treated as equivalent to a work accident include an accident on the way to an appointment connected with unemployment benefits, such as a referred job interview, as well as accidents while providing assistance, donating blood or taking part in training or an operation as a volunteer firefighter or emergency responder, including the Red Cross and mountain rescue.

Who must report the accident, and when?

In addition to notifying the liability insurer (Haftpflichtversicherung), other reporting duties may apply:

• Employer: must report a work accident online within 5 days if the injured person died or is completely or partly unable to work for more than 3 days.
• Self-employed person: must report an employee’s accident and their own accident to the accident insurer in good time.
• School or university: must report every traffic accident in which an insured person is injured or dies, online no later than within 5 days.
• Employee: must inform the employer without delay if the accident means they cannot work.

These reporting duties are separate from notifying the vehicle liability insurer.

What does accident insurance cover after a work accident?

The accident insurer (AUVA, BVAEB or SVS) is responsible for accident medical treatment (Unfallheilbehandlung) if there is no entitlement through health insurance. AUVA may take over treatment at any time, for example at its own accident hospital. Such hospitals operate in Vienna, with Meidling and Lorenz Böhler locations, as well as in Graz, Klagenfurt, Kalwang, Linz and Salzburg.

Rehabilitation has three forms:

• Medical rehabilitation: from first aid through to prostheses, including at Häring, Weißer Hof, Tobelbad and Vienna-Meidling.
• Vocational rehabilitation: returning to the previous job or learning a new profession. There is no statutory entitlement, but transitional money (Übergangsgeld) is paid during this process.
• Social rehabilitation: for example, support for adapting a home or car. This is a voluntary benefit without a statutory entitlement.

What cash benefits may be available?

• Transitional money (Übergangsgeld): 60 percent of the income in the calendar year before the accident, increased for each dependent.
• Accident pension (Versehrtenrente): available if earning capacity remains reduced by at least 20 percent after 3 months.
• Versehrtengeld: a one-off payment for pupils, students and kindergarten children.
• Compensation for loss of integrity (Integritätsabgeltung): available when workplace safety rules have been seriously breached, up to twice the annual maximum contribution base.
• Survivor’s pension: available to a widow or widower, registered partner or orphan.

An employer with fewer than 51 employees may apply for support for wages paid during continued sick pay (Entgeltfortzahlung).

What happens if it was not a work accident?

In that case, the health insurer (ÖGK, SVS or BVAEB) is responsible. Its benefits may include:

• medical treatment, medication, medical aids, psychotherapy and physiotherapy;
• home nursing and hospital treatment;
• sickness benefit (Krankengeld) and reintegration money (Wiedereingliederungsgeld) after a long period of illness;
• rehabilitation money (Rehabilitationsgeld) where working capacity is reduced;
• dental treatment and dentures;
• voluntary benefits, such as support for a therapeutic spa stay.

What can the pension insurer provide?

After an accident, the pension insurer (PV, BVAEB or SVS) may provide rehabilitation, a pension because of reduced working capacity, widow’s and orphan’s benefits, and care allowance (Pflegegeld).

Frequently asked questions

Does a scooter accident on the way to work count as a work accident?

A traffic accident on the direct route to work qualifies as a work accident; the rules do not limit the type of transport. This can therefore include a scooter.

Who reports a work accident?

For an employee, the employer reports it online within 5 days. A self-employed person must also report their own accident.

What if I disagree with the decision?

A decision (Bescheid) about cash benefits is issued within 6 months. You can file a claim against it. In that case, the decision loses effect in the part being challenged.

Is vocational rehabilitation always provided?

No. There is no statutory entitlement to vocational rehabilitation, and there is also no statutory entitlement to social rehabilitation.

Practical steps after a traffic accident

1. Notify the relevant liability insurer and seek medical treatment.
2. If you cannot work, inform your employer without delay.
3. Record whether the accident occurred on a direct work-related route or in another situation that may qualify as a work accident.
4. Check that the employer, school or university submits any required online report within 5 days.
5. If you are self-employed, report your own accident to the relevant accident insurer in good time.
6. Keep medical records and documents relating to work incapacity and insurance benefits.
7. Review any decision (Bescheid) about cash benefits. A claim may be filed against it, and the decision loses effect in the challenged part.

This article is based on information available online and is not legal, medical or other professional advice. Use it at your own risk. If you need specialist guidance, contact a lawyer, legal professional, healthcare professional, employment-law or labour-market specialist, or another relevant professional.

Source: oesterreich.gv.at