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Austria has a state health insurance fund (the sterreichische Gesundheitskasse) that you pay into each month to access state healthcare.

You may still have to pay on top of this to use some parts of the healthcare system.

UK nationals usually access the Austrian healthcare system in one of these ways:

• paying for state health insurance through your employer
• paying for state health insurance directly
• using a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) for temporary stays when studying, or as a posted (detached) worker
• registering a UK-issued S1 form with the state insurance fund (see UK-funded healthcare: getting and using an S1 form in Austria below)

Healthcare if you live and work in Austria

If you are planning on moving to Austria, see the guidance on Living in Austria for more information about visa and residency requirements.

You must show proof of healthcare cover:

• before you can register as a resident
• when you apply for a visa

For details about the healthcare cover required for residency applications, contact local authorities in Austria or the appropriate Austrian embassy or consulate in the UK.

If youre employed or self-employed in Austria its compulsory to have health insurance.

If youre not working, you should take out voluntary insurance.

You can add your dependants to your insurance plan.

Your insurance begins on the day you took out the insurance, but there can be a waiting period of 6 months before you can claim any benefits from your insurer.

There will not be a 6-month wait if you were already insured in another way, either:

• for the 6 weeks before you took out insurance
• for 26 weeks at any point in the year before you took out insurance

You may be entitled to an Austrian EHIC for travel, including visits to the UK.

You may also have the right to apply for a UK S1 if you start drawing a UK State Pension (see UK-funded healthcare: getting and using an S1 form in Austria below).

How to register for healthcare

You first need to register as a resident.

Youll be signed up automatically for health insurance if youre employed.

If not, contact your local branch of the sterreichische Gesundheitskasse (website in German).

If you require confirmation that the UK no longer covers your healthcare, you can request a legislation letter from the UK Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). You can request this by calling NHS Overseas Healthcare Services on +44 (0)191 218 1999 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm and Saturday, 9am to 3pm).

Once youve registered you will be given a card called an e-card. Show this every time you visit a doctor. You do not need to register with a doctor in Austria.

As of 1 January 2024, your e-card should have your photo on it, unless you are under 14, over 70 or in care. Read more information about updating your e-card from the sterreichische Gesundheitskasse.

This card also gives you access to online services. Your Austrian EHIC is on the back.

How to access healthcare services

Find your nearest hospital or clinic on the Kliniksuche website (in German).

How much youll pay

Your monthly payment increases with your salary and varies across Austria.

Look for a doctors surgery that says:

• Kassenarzt (contracted doctor)
• Alle Kassen (all insurers)

You will not have to pay to see these doctors.

You will still have to pay for some medical services, for example:

• 20% of the cost of seeing a private doctor your insurance scheme should reimburse the rest
• a fee of around 10 to 15 euros for each of your first 28 days in hospital

If your UK employer has sent you to Austria temporarily (posted workers)

A posted worker, also known as a detached worker, is someone who is employed or self-employed in the UK, but temporarily sent to a European Economic Area (EEA) country.

UK posted workers can access healthcare in Austria using an EHIC, GHIC or S1 form.

HMRC has a helpline for National Insurance enquiries from non-UK residents. They can answer questions about posted worker status and explain which documents you will need to get healthcare while posted.

UK-funded healthcare: getting and using an S1 form in Austria

Theres different guidance if you have an S1 as a posted worker (see If your UK employer has sent you to Austria temporarily (posted workers) above).

You may be entitled to state healthcare paid for by the UK if youre a resident in Austria and receive a UK State Pension or an exportable benefit. See Planning your healthcare abroad on the NHS website for more information about eligibility.

You may also be entitled to an S1 form if youre a frontier worker (someone who works in one state and lives in another). You must contact HMRC National Insurance enquiries to find out if youre eligible.

Once you have an S1 form, you must register it on the Austrian system.

This will mean you and your dependants will be entitled to healthcare in Austria on the same basis as an Austrian citizen.

Youll also get:

• a UK-issued EHIC or GHIC for travel
• planned treatments in other EU countries

Dependants and family members may be classified differently in Austria than the UK.

Check with the local authorities when you register your S1 form.

If youre entitled to an S1 form as a dependant of a State Pensioner, your health cover will be cancelled once you begin claiming your UK State Pension.

You will be sent a new S1 form to your registered address from NHS Overseas Healthcare Services. You must register this form to ensure continuation of healthcare cover.

You are responsible for informing NHS Overseas Healthcare Services if you change your address or your circumstances change.

How to get an S1 form

If you have a UK State Pension or another qualifying exportable benefit, you must request an application form by phone from NHS Overseas Healthcare Services (see contact details above).

How to use an S1 form in Austria

You must register your S1 form with the state health insurance fund (the sterreichische Gesundheitskasse in German).

Once regi

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