Austria’s two-tier healthcare system is rated highly by medical assistance as user-friendly and easy to navigate, and provides routine high-quality care for resident expats and Austrian nationals as well as emergency treatment for international visitors.

Most residents qualify for publicly funded care, but can also opt for treatment in the private sector through supplementary private health insurance. The country is among the European Union’s (EU’s) higher healthcare spenders, allocating 12.1% of GDP to public healthcare spending in 2021 (up from 10.4% of GDP in 2019), putting it roughly in line with France and Germany, according to the latest EU figures.

“When looking at healthcare expenditure as a percentage of GDP, Austria ranks moderately high among developed countries, similar to Germany, France, and the Netherlands. This reflects a significant investment in maintaining a high-quality healthcare system with comprehensive services,” said Eugenia Guskova, Head of Global Medical Network at AP Companies, which provides insured members of its international private medical insurance (IPMI) and travel insurance clients with access to medical facilities in Austria. “The quality of healthcare in Austria is highly regarded and compares favourably with other European countries.

“Overall, the cost of healthcare in Austria is competitive when compared to other developed countries in Europe and elsewhere,” Guskova continued. “The combination of mandatory social insurance, public funding, and relatively low out-of-pocket expenses makes Austria’s healthcare system both affordable and accessible. AP Companies ensures that insured members of international insurance companies benefit from these advantages, providing cost-effective and accessible healthcare solutions.

“Austria has a well-established framework for healthcare administration, which includes clear protocols and guidelines for patient care, insurance claims, and interhospital coordination. This structured environment can make it easier for medical assistance companies to understand the processes required for accessing and coordinating care, submitting claims, and ensuring compliance with local regulations.”

The company navigates the Austrian healthcare system on behalf of its clients’ insured members from initial consultation to treatment, “handling all administrative and bureaucratic requirements to ensure a seamless experience,” she emphasised.

Austria’s healthcare system delivers excellent medical outcomes, with life expectancy and patient satisfaction levels consistently ranking above the European average, Guskova noted, and the country benefits from a dense network of healthcare providers, including state-of-the-art hospitals and clinics equipped with modern medical technologies and staffed by highly trained professionals.

“Austria’s healthcare services are accessible and comprehensive, supported by a universal health insurance system that covers nearly all residents,” Guskova added. “This widespread insurance coverage ensures equitable access to both primary and specialised care without significant financial barriers, a feature that places Austria among the top European countries for healthcare accessibility.”

AP Companies also assists insureds of international insurance companies, including EU citizens with the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and non-EU tourists with travel insurance, in navigating the healthcare system and accessing necessary care at reduced costs or for free where applicable, she pointed out.

Maria Luz Jimenez Orte of Iris Global, a Spanish medical assistance provider, agreed with Guskova’s assessment.

“Generally speaking, the Austrian healthcare system is easy to handle for assistance companies. English is spoken in most of the private hospitals, although in some cases German might be needed for certain procedures,” she said.

“In Austria it’s easy to access medical care, both in public and private hospitals. In certain geographical areas the only option out of office hours are public hospitals, but in the main cities private hospitals also have very good emergency services.

“The quality of care is high – it has the same level as all other developed European countries. It meets Western standards at all points. The costs are also similar to Western European countries.”

Vienna has long been a primary evacuation destination from places with less adequate healthcare systems

 “I have evacuated many patients to Austria and had many others happen to be hospitalised there,” said Dr Cai Glushak, a Chicago-based Medical Director and Chief Medical Officer at AXA Partners North America. “I consider it a first-world medical location with state-of-the-art care.”

Vienna has long been a primary evacuation destination from places with less adequate healthcare systems, Dr Glushak noted, though such evacuations have become less common as hospital care in Eastern European countries has markedly improved.

“Our experience in the Austrian public system has been excellent,” Dr Glushak added. “I cannot recall ever having to transfer a patient to a private hospital to get earlier or more attentive care as I have had to do in some other European countries,” he said.

The overall patient experience in Austria is positive, Guskova confirmed, with many patients praising the quality of communication and care they receive from healthcare providers.

“In terms of innovation and research, Austria is at the forefront, investing significantly in medical research and new technologies, which supports advanced treatments and enhances the overall quality of care available to patients,” she added.

As the world’s largest winter sports destination in terms of foreign visitors, according to Statista, with a total of 43.6 million skiers each season, of which almost 30 million are foreign visitors, Austria needs facilities for ski accidents and has adequate infrastructure for this.

ÖAMTC Air Rescue, which operates 17 helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) bases year-round across Austria and uses an H135 intensive care helicopter for enabling interhospital transfers of intensive care patients, adds four more bases in winter to provide HEMS services to the country’s more than 400 ski resorts.

Flight permits for air ambulance flights are subject to a standard procedure within the EU and are not subject to any major difficulties, regardless of the origin of the operator

Insurers and medical assistance providers, though, should note that using specialist private medical facilities comes with a higher price tag. “Some private facilities, such as sports clinics that are oriented mainly to handle ski accidents in tourist destinations, might have higher costs than usual,” said Jimenez Orte.

Most transfers of injured skiers are handled by local state sector entities, and as Austria is relatively close to most of its main tourism source countries, the air ambulance sector plays only a minor role in repatriations.

“We do some air ambulance flights each winter for skiing accident patients, but a big part of them are transported on commercial flights or by ground ambulance to their home countries,” said Hemma Niederegger, Project Manager Sales and Marketing at Austrian operator Tyrol Air Ambulance.

“Flight permits for air ambulance flights are subject to a standard procedure within the EU and are not subject to any major difficulties, regardless of the origin of the operator.” 

A complex system

The Austrian health system has nearly universal coverage, and accessibility of services is generally good, with comprehensive financial protection for vulnerable groups through numerous exemptions from cost-sharing requirements, according to the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies (EOHSP).

The World Health Organization (WHO)-affiliated EOHSP notes, though, that the organisation of the Austrian health system is complex. The federal government is responsible for the legislative framework, including regulation of social health insurance (SHI). The states (Länder) regulate hospital care in their jurisdictions and are mainly responsible for the organisation and financing of inpatient and outpatient care. SHI funds, the federal government, the Länder and municipalities all contribute to the health budget.

A strong organisational structure, digital health capabilities, and high-quality medical services generally make Austria’s healthcare system a relatively navigable environment for medical assistance companies

This complexity, though, does not appear to be an obstacle to providing a world-class healthcare system. A strong organisational structure, digital health capabilities, and high-quality medical services generally make Austria’s healthcare system a relatively navigable environment for medical assistance companies, according to Guskova. “Accessing medical care in Austria is relatively easy

and efficient due to its comprehensive universal healthcare system,” she said. “There is a wide availability of medical facilities, including general practitioners, specialists, hospitals, and outpatient clinics, making it straightforward to find and access medical care throughout the country.

“The quality of healthcare services in Austria is high, with well-trained healthcare professionals, advanced medical technology, and well-maintained facilities providing a high standard of care,” Guskova added. “Access to specialists and hospitals typically requires a referral from a general practitioner, but this process is usually straightforward. Both public and private hospitals offer high-quality care.

“Bureaucracy is generally well structured but can be complex, particularly regarding insurance coverage and reimbursement procedures. The system involves multiple stakeholders, including public health insurance funds, private insurers, and various healthcare providers, each with its own set of rules and processes.”

Guskova also praised the cost-effectiveness of Austria’s healthcare system, which she said was also evident when comparing the quality of care with expenditures.

“Austria manages to provide high-quality healthcare services at a lower cost than many countries outside of Europe, especially those with predominantly private healthcare systems,” she said. “For example, while healthcare in the US is often associated with high costs and significant out-of-pocket expenses, Austria’s system ensures that costs are more evenly distributed across the population through mandatory insurance contributions, resulting in lower personal expenses and more comprehensive coverage.

“Another unique aspect is Austria’s comprehensive digital health infrastructure. The country has invested significantly in e-health technologies, such as electronic health records and digital communication platforms, which streamline the sharing of patient information across different healthcare providers. This digitalisation reduces the administrative burden and enhances coordination between medical assistance companies and healthcare facilities, making it easier to arrange care, access medical records, and communicate with healthcare providers.”

Language can be both a facilitating and a complicating factor for medical assistance companies operating in Austria, Guskova said.

“While German is the official language and used in most healthcare settings, many healthcare professionals, especially in urban centres and larger hospitals, speak English fluently. This multilingual capability can be advantageous for medical assistance companies dealing with international clients, as it helps mitigate potential language barriers. AP Companies offers translation and interpretation services to overcome language barriers, ensuring effective communication between healthcare providers and insured members.”

Emergency medical services in Austria are well coordinated, allowing quick access to urgent care, Guskova added, and waiting times for non-emergency procedures and specialist appointments are generally shorter than in some other European countries.

“Austria’s healthcare system is one of the best in Europe, offering high-quality care, comprehensive coverage, and excellent outcomes. The country’s healthcare infrastructure, access to services, and emphasis on preventive care and innovation make it a leader in healthcare quality among European nations,” she concluded.