Types of Insurance in Austria in 2025: What Expats, Foreigners, and Entrepreneurs Need to Know

Main Insurance Categories in Austria

Austria’s insurance system is divided into two main categories:

• Mandatory insurance (gesetzliche Versicherung)
• Voluntary/private insurance (private Versicherung)

Depending on your status—whether you’re an employee, self-employed, a business owner, student, or foreign national—you will be automatically enrolled in certain mandatory insurance schemes and can optionally add private coverage.

Health Insurance (Krankenversicherung)

Mandatory Public Health Insurance

Austria provides universal public health insurance (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung), which covers:

• General practitioner and specialist visits
• Hospital stays
• Medical tests
• Prescription medications
• Maternity leave and sick pay

Your employment status determines your provider:

• ÖGK — for salaried employees.
• SVS — for self-employed individuals, freelancers, and entrepreneurs
• BVAEB — for civil servants and railway employees

Every insured person receives an eCard, a digital health insurance card that must be presented at every doctor’s visit.

Expats and foreigners are required to have health insurance to obtain a residence permit or register a business.

Private Health Insurance (private Krankenversicherung)

Private health insurance can offer:

• Private hospital rooms
• Faster access to specialists
• Alternative treatments
• Dental care, psychotherapy, massage therapy, and more

Top providers include UNIQA, Wiener Städtische, Merkur, Allianz, and Generali. These are particularly popular among expats and the self-employed due to flexible terms and access to top-tier medical services without long waiting times.

Life Insurance (Lebensversicherung)

Life insurance in Austria serves as both financial protection in the event of death and as an investment tool. It can include capital accumulation or retirement savings.

Ideal for:

• Families with children
• Foreigners planning long-term residence
• Business partners seeking cross-insurance in GmbH or OG structures

Austria’s Social Insurance System (Sozialversicherung)

Austria’s comprehensive social insurance system includes:

• Type of Insurance: Health (Kranken)
  Who Pays: Employer or self-employed via SVS
  What It Covers: Doctor visits, treatment, medication
• Type of Insurance: Pension (Pension)
  Who Pays: Included in SVS or ÖGK
  What It Covers: Future retirement benefits
• Type of Insurance: Accident (Unfall)
  Who Pays: Mandatory, incl. freelancers
  What It Covers: Work-related injuries and consequences
• Type of Insurance: Sickness Allowance
  Who Pays: Optional (for self-employed)
  What It Covers: Income during illness or incapacity

Freelancers, sole proprietors, and Gewerbe (trade license) holders must register with the SVS and pay contributions based on income.

In 2025, minimum quarterly contributions are approximately €638.72, covering health, pension, and accident insurance.

Liability and Property Insurance

Personal Liability Insurance (Haftpflichtversicherung)

This is mandatory when renting an apartment and covers damages caused to third parties (e.g., water leaks affecting neighbors). It’s often bundled as family liability insurance.

Home Insurance (Haushaltsversicherung)

Covers:

• Theft
• Fire
• Flood damage
• Household appliance breakdowns

Often combined with personal liability insurance and essential for renters and property owners.

Car Insurance (Kfz-Versicherung)

If you own a car in Austria, liability insurance (Kfz-Haftpflichtversicherung) is legally required.

Optional additions include:

• Kasko — protection against theft, damage, or accidents
• Insassenversicherung — passenger coverage

Travel & Expat Insurance

• Reiseversicherung — for short-term trips across the EU and worldwide
• Auslandsversicherung — for frequent travelers outside Austria
• Incoming-Versicherung — for foreigners relocating or arriving with a residence permit

Covers emergency medical care, transportation, flight cancellations, and lost luggage.

Legal Expenses Insurance (Rechtsschutzversicherung)

Covers legal fees, court costs, and attorney consultations. Particularly useful for:

• Business owners
• Property rental disputes
• Employment-related legal matters

How to Choose the Right Insurance in Austria

Key factors to consider when selecting insurance:

• Your legal status (expat, entrepreneur, employee)
• Whether you have a family or children
• Your budget and preferred coverage level
• Immigration requirements (for residence permits, citizenship, business registration)

Tip: Use comparison platforms like Durchblicker.at, Versichern24.at, or Check24 to explore the best insurance options.

Conclusion: Austria’s Insurance System in 2025

Austria’s insurance system in 2025 covers all vital areas of life—from healthcare and pensions to liability and business coverage. Expats, freelancers, and small business owners must understand which insurance is legally required and which optional plans offer enhanced peace of mind.

Proper insurance not only protects your health and assets but is often a legal requirement for living, working, or launching a business in Austria.