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Healthcare in Austria: cost & waiting times

Statutory health insurance

Near-universal statutory insurance (ÖGK and others). The e-card is presented at any contracted doctor. Direct specialist access is allowed; private top-up buys 'Wahlarzt' (non-contracted) choice and hospital comfort.

Emergency number: 112 (ambulance 144)

How residents get care

1. Registration is automatic with employment — Family members are co-insured. The e-card is your key.
2. See a 'Kassenarzt' (contracted doctor) — No charge at the point of care. 'Wahlärzte' bill you and you reclaim ~80% of the equivalent contract fee.
3. 1450 for health advice — The national triage line.

Official waiting-time source

Elective procedures (e.g. cataract, joint replacement) have transparent hospital-level lists in some provinces; specialist Kassenarzt slots can be scarce.

No comprehensive national register ↗

Milestone	Reference
Elective cataract surgery (typical)	90 days (~13w)
Specialist appointment	21 days (~3w)

Typical private costs

Typical self-pay prices — for an exact figure use the official links above or ask a clinic for a written quote.

Item	Typical range
Wahlarzt GP visit	€80–€120
Wahlarzt specialist visit	€120–€250
Private MRI	€250–€500

Prescriptions

Flat prescription fee ('Rezeptgebühr') of about €7 per item (2025), with exemptions and an income-related annual cap.

Visiting Austria?

EHIC covers necessary care at contracted doctors and public hospitals.

Official links

• 1450 health advice ↗
• gesundheit.gv.at — find services ↗

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