Voluntary Health Insurance (Selbstversicherung) in Austria in 2026

If you live in Austria but do not have health insurance through any other route, you may be able to join the statutory health insurance system voluntarily. This is called Selbstversicherung in der Krankenversicherung. The application is submitted to the Österreichische Gesundheitskasse (ÖGK).

In 2026, the monthly contribution is 565,25 euros. A reduction may be available if you are in a difficult financial situation. Selbstversicherung generally covers healthcare in kind, but not cash benefits such as sickness benefit or maternity benefit.

Who can apply for Selbstversicherung?

You must meet both of these conditions:

• You are currently not covered by health insurance.
• Your place of residence (Wohnsitz) is in Austria.

Students and people in marginal employment (geringfügig Beschäftigte) have separate insurance arrangements. The general rules described here do not apply to them in the same way.

For an overview of which Austrian insurance institution covers different groups, see this overview of health insurance in Austria.

When does the insurance start?

The start date depends on when you submit your application:

1. If you apply within six weeks after your previous insurance or co-insurance ends, the Selbstversicherung starts immediately after the previous insurance ends, so there is no gap.
2. In all other cases, the insurance starts on the day after you submit the application.

The application must be submitted to the Österreichische Gesundheitskasse (ÖGK).

When can you use the healthcare benefits?

Starting to pay the contribution does not necessarily mean that you can use the benefits immediately.

As a general rule, entitlement to medical treatment, medical aids and remedies (Heilmittel), hospital care and other benefits in kind begins only after six months. This is the waiting period (Wartefrist).

You may be entitled immediately, together with your dependants, if before submitting the application you were:

• co-insured for six consecutive weeks immediately beforehand, or
• insured or co-insured for a total of 26 weeks during the previous 12 months.

This applies where the previous insurance was under the ASVG or the public-service insurance law (B-KUVG).

How much does Selbstversicherung cost in 2026?

• Monthly contribution: 565,25 euros
• Reduction: available on application if you are in a difficult financial situation

The timing of an application for a reduction (Ermäßigung) matters:

• If you request the reduction together with your Selbstversicherung application, it may apply from the first contribution payable.
• If you apply later, it applies only from the following month.

The specific amount of the reduced contribution is not stated.

What does Selbstversicherung cover?

Selbstversicherung provides entitlement to benefits in kind (Sachleistungen), including:

• medical treatment,
• hospital care, and
• medicines.

Cash benefits (Barleistungen) are not included. This means that Selbstversicherung does not provide sickness benefit (Krankengeld) or maternity benefit (Wochengeld).

Further information about using and applying for the e-card is available in this e-card guide.

What if your previous insurance was for self-employed work?

Special restrictions apply if your most recent insurance was under the social insurance law for tradespeople and businesses (GSVG), the farmers' social insurance law (BSVG), or a professional or chamber-based benefit scheme (Vorsorgeeinrichtung) used instead of compulsory insurance.

In this situation, you can take out Selbstversicherung with the ÖGK only 60 months after the previous insurance ended. Until then, you may continue insurance (Weiterversicherung) with the insurer where you were last compulsorily insured.

There is an exception for someone who most recently received a survivor's pension for orphans (Waisenpension) under GSVG or BSVG, or was co-insured as a dependant (mitversichert). That person can take out Selbstversicherung under the General Social Insurance Act (ASVG) immediately after the previous insurance ends.

How does co-insurance affect Selbstversicherung?

Co-insurance (Mitversicherung) means receiving healthcare as a dependant through another insured person. It matters for Selbstversicherung in three main situations:

• Your co-insurance ends: if you apply within six weeks, the Selbstversicherung starts continuously after it ends.
• You were previously co-insured for six weeks or for 26 weeks during the previous 12 months: the six-month waiting period does not apply.
• You were co-insured through someone insured under GSVG or BSVG: you do not have to wait 60 months.

Frequently asked questions

Can I receive sickness benefit with Selbstversicherung?

No. Selbstversicherung covers benefits in kind such as doctors, hospitals and medicines. It does not provide sickness benefit or maternity benefit.

Where do I submit the application?

Submit it to the Österreichische Gesundheitskasse (ÖGK).

How long is the waiting period?

As a general rule, six months. However, there is no waiting period if, before applying, you were insured or co-insured for six consecutive weeks immediately beforehand or for 26 weeks during the previous 12 months.

Can the monthly contribution of 565,25 euros be reduced?

Yes. You can apply for a reduction if you are in a difficult financial situation. Applying at the same time as the Selbstversicherung application may allow the reduction to apply from the first contribution.

Practical steps

1. Check that you currently have no health insurance and that your residence is in Austria.
2. Check whether you were insured or co-insured during the relevant six-week or 26-week period, as this may remove the six-month waiting period.
3. If previous cover was under GSVG or BSVG, check whether the 60-month restriction applies to you.
4. Submit the Selbstversicherung application to the Österreichische Gesundheitskasse (ÖGK).
5. If your financial situation is difficult, request a contribution reduction together with the application.
6. Before relying on the cover, confirm the applicable start date and whether the waiting period applies.

This information is based on sources available online and is not professional advice. Use it at your own risk. For advice specific to your situation, contact a lawyer, legal professional, healthcare professional, employment-law or labour-market specialist, or another relevant adviser.

Source: oesterreich.gv.at