For stays fewer than six months (with or without a visa) a travel health insurance is usually sufficient. Please bear in mind, however, that it must be valid in Austria and provide sufficient cover for different health issues (covering medical costs of more than 30,000 euros, including a guarantee to cover possible recovery and repatriation costs and costs for treatment for the COVID-19 disease and it must be valid for the whole duration of your stay in Austria). Travel insurance policies often have to be purchased before travelling to Austria.

Persons from third countries will only get a residence title for staying for more than six months if they can provide proof of having a “health insurance covering all risks”. Travel health insurance policies are only sufficient for the period between entering Austria and taking out a “health insurance covering all risks”. In this case, applicants have to provide proof of having taken out travel health insurance (covering medical costs of more than 30,000 euros, including a guarantee to cover possible recovery and repatriation costs, valid for at least three months) and they have to document the probability that they will take out a “health insurance covering all risks” after entering Austria (in case of future statutory national health insurance e.g. by means of a preliminary contract with your future employer).

Finally, it is also possible to take out private health insurance. The benefits of a private health insurance “covering all risks” must “essentially” correspond to those of the national health insurance and not considerably differ from it. It is essential that the insurance does not have any waiting periods, cost caps, or exclude certain risks. Moreover, the insurance must pay for medical treatment in Austria directly. To be recognized by the residence authorities as a “health insurance covering all risks” the relevant insurance company must provide a written statement confirming that the insurance fulfils these requirements in addition to the insurance policy. Some insurance companies provide insurance products that are accepted by the authorities, e.g., above mentioned plans except swiss care.