As with every trip abroad, in the case of studying and research in Austria, too, it is important to have a sufficient health insurance that is valid in Austria. People who need a visa or permit for entry to Austria already have to produce proof of health insurance when applying for the visa or permit.

National health insurance

Austria possesses a good public social insurance system with local public carriers (Gebietskrankenkassen) in all nine federal provinces. Since under certain conditions foreign national insurance carriers cover the costs for medical treatment of acute illnesses in Austria we recommend you to contact your health insurance carrier in your home country and enquire about this and if available, procure the necessary forms from them.

Students and visiting researchers from EU/EEA countries who are in possession of a valid national health insurance in their home country need the European Health Insurance Card .

In case you have a valid national health insurance in a country that has concluded a health insurance agreement with Austria (at the moment these are the following countries: Bosnia, Croatia, Herzegovina, Hungary, Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, Turkey), you have to bring along the A3 form, which is available from your national health insurance carrier. This form, too, has to be exchanged for forms that entitle you to medical treatment in Austria (Krankenscheine, "Krankenkassenschecks") at the relevant Austrian health insurance carrier (Gebietskrankenkasse).

Degree programme students (ordentliche Studierende) at all universities and Fachhochschulen as well as non-degree programme students (außerordentliche Studierende) at University Preparation Programmes (Vorstudienlehrgänge) who do not fall into the above-mentioned categories may take out a health insurance policy with the relevant Gebietskrankenkasse themselves. The costs for this insurance are EUR 23,26 per month (status of 2008). Certain conditions, such as income limits and other conditions (duration of studies, changes of fields of studies), however, apply for this insurance and should be given consideration. With the completed application form and the confirmation of admission to study (Zulassungsbestätigung) or the confirmation of continuation of your studies (Fortsetzungsbestätigung) (both of which will be issued by the Austrian university at which you have been admitted) students have to take out the insurance in person with the local public Austrian insurance carrier (Gebietskrankenkasse) of their university city or town. By December 31st of each year students have to submit a valid confirmation of the continuation of their studies (Fortsetzungsbestätigung) at the Gebietskrankenkasse, which proves for the whole academic year that the student in question is a degree programme student (ordentlicher Studierender) at an Austrian university and entitled to continue his/her studies at that university.

Persons who do not fulfil these conditions can nevertheless take out a health insurance policy with the relevant Gebietskrankenkasse. In this case the monthly premium is EUR 333,59(status of 2008) but it may be reduced for social reasons (i.e. low income, etc.) upon application. With this type of insurance, however, a waiting period of six months applies: this means that the insurance carriers will only cover your medical treatment after you have paid premiums for at least six months. (Exception: previous insurance periods within the European Union that are credited towards your health insurance).

The insurance with the Gebietskrankenkassen only covers medical treatment by doctors and medical institutions who have contracts with the Gebietskrankenkassen. Medical treatment by a doctor who has a contract with the Gebietskrankenkasse is paid directly by the Gebietskrankenkasse when you hand in your "e-card" (which is issued by the Gebietskrankenkasse). Prescription medicines are available from pharmacies, the costs of these are EUR 5.15 (prescription fee (Rezeptgebühr), status of 2012) per medicine prescribed by your doctor.

Spouses may be insured with the Gebietskrankenkasse against payment of an additional contribution; children may be insured with the Gebietskrankenkasse for free with their parent(s). Further information is available from the local insurance carriers (Gebietskrankenkassen).

Private health insurance

Finally, it is possible to take out a private or travel insurance, e.g. ISIS insurance with STA-Travel. The benefits of such insurances differ greatly from one to the other; therefore please enquire in detail. Please make sure to take out an insurance that covers medical treatment in the whole of Austria and that it provides sufficient protection for various types of illness (it would be ideal if it also covers transport back to your home country). Travel insurances (for at least 6 months) have to be taken out before the entry to Austria.