Emergency Numbers & Access
Call 144 (Rettung — ambulance) or 112 (EU general emergency). Mountain rescue: 140 (Bergrettung). ÖAMTC emergency: 120. All lines have English speakers. Major hospitals: AKH Wien (Vienna General Hospital — one of Europe's largest), LKH Graz, KH Kepler Linz, LKH Salzburg, LKH Innsbruck. ER wait times: 1-3 hours for non-critical in Vienna (longer in winter flu season). Mountain emergencies: ÖAMTC Christophorus helicopter fleet (14 bases) provides rapid response across the Alps.
Response time: 8-15 minutes in Vienna, Graz, Linz, Salzburg, Innsbruck. 15-40+ minutes in Alpine/rural areas. Mountain rescue (Bergrettung): helicopter deployment within 20-30 minutes of callout in good weather. ÖAMTC and ADAC Christophorus air rescue bases across the country.
Cost: ER (Notaufnahme): free for EHIC/e-card holders. Uninsured visitors: €150-600+ per ER visit. Ambulance: €100-300+ (uninsured). Hospital admission/day: €20-30 (insured), €400-1,500+ (uninsured). Mountain rescue: free for ÖAV members; €2,000-15,000+ for non-members without rescue insurance.
Healthcare System
Austria operates one of Europe's best healthcare systems — a Bismarckian social insurance model reformed in 2019 when all employees' health funds were merged into the single Österreichische Gesundheitskasse (ÖGK). The e-card (electronic insurance card) is your key to the system — residents present it at any contracted practice for cashless care. The system distinguishes between Kassenärzte (contracted doctors — free/heavily subsidised for insured patients) and Wahlärzte (private choice doctors — paid upfront, partial reimbursement possible). Hospital care is delivered through public Landeskrankenhäuser (state hospitals) of excellent quality. Austria's unique challenge is the Alpine geography: rural mountain communities and ski resorts can be far from hospital care, but the Bergrettung Österreich (Mountain Rescue Austria) and ÖAMTC/ADAC air rescue services are outstanding. TBE (tick-borne encephalitis) is a significant and underappreciated health risk — Austria has one of Europe's highest TBE incidence rates, and most Austrians are vaccinated. Dental care is partially covered for residents but notably expensive for visitors. Mental health services are integrated but have waiting list pressures. Vienna, Graz, Linz, Salzburg, and Innsbruck all have excellent university hospitals (Universitätsklinik) providing specialist tertiary care.
Designed for: All residents with e-card social insurance. EU/EEA visitors via EHIC. Non-EU visitors need travel insurance.
GP Access & Costs
Two-tier system: Kassenarzt (Vertragsar) — contracted doctors free/subsidised for e-card/EHIC holders, walk-in or appointment. Wahlarzt — private choice doctors, pay upfront (€60-150), claim partial reimbursement from ÖGK afterwards. Bereitschaftsdienst (out-of-hours GP service) operates evenings, nights, weekends.
Typical wait: Kassenarzt appointment: same-day to 3 days (popular practices may be longer). Walk-in Kassenarzt: 30-90 min wait. Wahlarzt: same-day usually. Specialist (Facharzt) via GP referral: days to weeks (public), same-day to 1 week (private). ER Ambulanz for urgent issues: 1-3 hours.
Availability: Good in Vienna, Graz, Linz, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Klagenfurt, Wels. Rural Austria and small Alpine communities increasingly face GP shortages — growing Landärztemangel (rural doctor shortage). Tourist resort areas (Kitzbühel, St. Anton, Zell am See, Bad Ischl) have seasonal medical coverage.
GP Visit
Kassenarzt: free with e-card or EHIC (€0 for EU visitors)
Private GP
Wahlarzt: €60-150 per consultation. Facharzt (private specialist): €100-300. Private hospital outpatient: €150-400. Partial reimbursement from ÖGK possible after the fact — typically 80% of the Kassenarzt rate (so €30-50 back).
ER Without Insurance
ER visit (uninsured): €200-600+. Ambulance: €100-400+. Hospital admission: €400-1,500+/day. Surgery: €5,000-50,000+. Mountain rescue without membership: €2,000-15,000+ (helicopter).
Medication
Residents pay €7.15 prescription fee (Rezeptgebühr) per item regardless of cost — exemptions for low income, chronic conditions. Visitors pay full undiscounted price. Austrian pharmacies are well-stocked and expensive for uninsured visitors — paracetamol 20 tabs: ~€3-5, branded ibuprofen: €5-10. Most medications require prescription.
Health insurance is required for visa
Pharmacy & Medication
Hours: Mon–Fri 8am–6pm, Sat 8am–12pm typical. Nachtapotheke (night pharmacy) rotation ensures 24/7 access — every pharmacy displays the nearest duty pharmacy (Apotheke mit Nachtdienst) on its door and window. Vienna and major cities have extended-hours pharmacies. Online: look up nachtapotheke.at for nearest open pharmacy.
OTC: Restrictive OTC policy — Austria is stricter than many Western European neighbours. Paracetamol (Mexalen, Ben-u-ron) and ibuprofen available at pharmacies (Apotheke) only — not in supermarkets or petrol stations. Many medications that are OTC in other countries (e.g., some antihistamines, nasal sprays) require prescription in Austria. Pharmacists (Apotheker) are highly trained and a key primary care touchpoint for minor ailments.
Controlled substances: Schengen attestation required for EU travellers carrying scheduled narcotics or psychotropics. Carry doctor's letter in German or English. Austrian drug laws follow EU framework — strictly enforced. Cannabis illegal (decriminalisation partial but not legal). Stimulants, opioids, benzodiazepines all require prescription. 30-day personal supply limit for international travel.
Practical Tips
- EU visitors: bring your EHIC — Kassenarzt visits are completely free, which is exceptional value
- Get TBE vaccination before visiting — rapid 3-dose schedule (0, 7, 21 days) available. FSME-Immun and Encepur available at all Austrian pharmacies
- Buy ÖAV (Österreichischer Alpenverein) membership (€65-80/year) before hiking or skiing — includes mountain rescue insurance worth thousands
- Nachtapotheke: every pharmacy door lists the nearest 24/7 duty pharmacy, or search nachtapotheke.at
- For non-emergency urgent care evenings/weekends: Bereitschaftsdienst (1450 — health advice line) or nearest ärztlicher Bereitschaftsdienst
- Österreichische Gesundheitskasse (ÖGK) website lists all contracted Kassenarzt by specialty and location — check before selecting a doctor
- Call 1450 (Gesundheitstelefon) for health advice — English available, free, 24/7
- Apotheke (green cross) — pharmacists are excellent first-stop advisers for minor ailments and minor prescription needs
What are the emergency numbers in Austria?
Ambulance: 144, EU emergency: 112, Mountain rescue (Bergrettung): 140, ÖAMTC roadside: 120. All lines have English-speaking operators. Major hospitals: AKH Wien (one of Europe's largest), LKH Graz, Kepler Linz, LKH Salzburg, LKH Innsbruck.
Is healthcare free in Austria for tourists?
EU/EEA visitors with EHIC receive free care at Kassenärzte (contracted doctors) and public hospitals. Wahlarzt (private choice doctor) visits require upfront payment with partial reimbursement possible. Non-EU visitors need travel insurance — uninsured ER visits cost €150–600+.
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Sources: Österreichische Gesundheitskasse (ÖGK), Austrian Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection, Bergrettung Österreich (Mountain Rescue Austria), ÖAMTC, CDC Travelers Health Austria 2025, UK FCDO Travel Advice Austria, FSME Info Austria (TBE information)
Last reviewed: March 2026 by Gewardz Health
Further Reading
EHIC, GHIC & E111: Free Healthcare in Europe
How to use EHIC in Austria — contracted vs private doctors and what's covered.
Read guideHealthcare in Switzerland
Compare Austria with neighbouring Switzerland — similar Alpine risks, very different costs.
Read guideHealthcare in Germany
Compare Austria's ÖGK system with Germany's similar social insurance model.
Read guide