Social insurance is the backbone of Austria’s social security model, comprising compulsory health, pension, accident, and unemployment insurance.
Austrian healthcare is built on the principle of equal, easy access to all medical services — regardless of age, residence, origin, social status, or the type and scope of health needs.
Social protection covers preventive care, first aid, routine and specialist treatment (including dental), disability or incapacity benefits, maternity support, unemployment relief, old-age and survivor’s pensions, and care allowances for those in need.
Austria’s advanced insurance network is a major reason for low rates of unemployment and homelessness. Although contributions can seem significant, they bring genuine peace of mind and a high safety net for all residents.
Health insurance
Three main statutory health insurance funds cover most residents:
- Austrian Health Insurance Fund (ÖGK): General insurance for employees; coverage is automatic.
- Social Insurance for the Self-Employed (SVS): For business owners and the self-employed.
- Insurance Fund for Public Sector, Railways, and Mining (BVAEB): For civil servants, railway and mining workers.
If you are insured with any of these, your plan covers essentially all required medical care in partner hospitals and with contracted doctors. Most treatments are free; some (for SVS/BVAEB) require small personal contributions (5–20%).
Accident Insurance
Accident coverage is provided by:
- AUVA (General Accident Insurance Company): Compulsory insurance for employees.
- SVS and BVAEB: For self-employed and special professions.
This covers workplace accidents and occupational illnesses.
Pension insurance
Pensions are managed by:
- Pension Insurance Agency (PVA): For employees in general.
- SVS and BVAEB: For the self-employed and public sector groups.
In Austria, men retire at 65. For women, retirement age depends on birth year (phased increase from 60 to 65; e.g. women born in the first half of 1964 retire at 60.5, in the second half at 61, and so forth). Qualifying for a pension requires at least 15 years of contributions (180 months). Pensions aren’t only paid in old age — they can also be granted for incapacity or after the loss of a breadwinner (orphans, widows/widowers).
Unemployment insurance
Unemployment protection is part of the social insurance system, though it’s administered by the Public Employment Service (AMS), which also provides job search assistance.
Who is covered by compulsory insurance?
All employees, the self-employed, and their direct family members.
Employees are registered by their employer, who withholds monthly social insurance contributions (health, accident, pension, unemployment) directly from gross pay.
Marginally employed workers (2025: €551.10/month) are insured for accidents only — not for health, pensions, or unemployment (these can and should be added voluntarily).
Self-employed must register proactively with SVS and pay all contributions themselves.
ÖGK insurance can also extend to children under 18 and spouses without their own health insurance, provided they reside principally in Austria. Children are always covered for free; spouses only in certain cases.
If you are not working but live in Austria, you can voluntarily join ÖGK for self-coverage, paying monthly contributions for the protection of Austria’s insurance system. Private insurance is also possible (fees depend on the coverage and service scope).
