Health insurance is both an entry requirement and a residence permit requirement — and the two are different. Here's how to get it right.
To enter Austria
Before you arrive you need travel health insurance valid in Austria with coverage well over €30,000, including repatriation. This bridges you until you can take out full insurance after arrival.
Travel insurance is only temporary
For the residence permit you need a health insurance covering all risks. Travel insurance only counts for the short period until you set up full cover after entering Austria.
The student self-insurance (ÖGK)
Once you've entered and enrolled, the standard option is the student self-insurance (Studierendenselbstversicherung) with the Austrian health insurance fund, ÖGK:
- Monthly premium of about €78.84 (2026)
- Requires residence in Austria and a confirmation of enrolment
- Some conditions apply (e.g. maximum study duration, income limits)
- Covers doctors and hospital treatment like the national system
Renew it every year
By 31 December each year you must give the ÖGK a valid confirmation of continuing enrolment (Fortsetzungsbestätigung) covering the whole academic year.
Private all-risk insurance
You can instead take out private health insurance covering all risks. To be accepted by the residence authority it must:
- Have no waiting periods
- Have no cost caps and exclude no risks
- Pay Austrian providers directly
- Come with a written statement confirming it meets these requirements
Social-insurance agreements
If your home country has a social-insurance agreement with Austria (Bosnia & Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Türkiye), you may bring the relevant form and exchange it for an Austrian insurance confirmation.
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