Public Health Conditions

Public health conditions in Vienna are excellent. The level of community sanitation in Vienna meets or exceeds that of most large American cities. Disease incidence and type are similar to that seen in the major cities of Western Europe and the United States. At the present time, air pollution is not a major health problem in Vienna.

Water in Austria is pure and safe to drink.

Health Insurance for Non-Austrians

Any person, regardless of citizenship, who wants to take up residence in Austria, must be covered by some health insurance plan that covers full medical treatment in Austria. American citizens interested in joining the health insurance plan under the Austrian system should apply to the Health Insurance Agency ("Gebietskrankenkasse") in the province ("Bundesland") where they reside. The monthly premium is approximately € 350. The premium may be increased if and when Austrian social security contributions are raised. The premium may be reduced in case of individual hardship.

As health insurance coverage will start six months after joining the health insurance plan and in view of the fact that full health insurance coverage is a prerequisite for obtaining an Austrian visa, American citizens wishing to take up residence in Austria are advised to make appropriate arrangements well ahead in time.

Further information may be obtained from the appropriate "Gebietskrankenkasse." Inquiries should be directed to the office as listed below:

For Vienna:
Wiener Gebietskrankenkasse für Arbeiter und Angestellte
Wienerbergstrasse 15-19, 1101 Vienna, Tel.: (01) 60-122-0

For Lower Austria:
Niederösterreichische Gebietskrankenkasse für Arbeiter und Angestellte
Dr. Karl-Renner-Promenade 14-16, 3100 St. Pölten, Tel.: (02742) 899-0

For Upper Austria:
Oberösterreichische Gebietskrankenkasse für Arbeiter und Angestellte
Gruberstrasse 77, 4020 Linz, Tel.: (0732) 7807-0

For Burgenland:
Burgenländische Gebietskrankenkasse für Arbeiter und Angestellte
Esterhazyplatz 3, 7000 Eisenstadt, Tel.: (02682) 608-0

For Styria:
Steiermärkische Gebietskrankenkasse für Arbeiter und Angestellte
Josef-Pongratz-Platz 1, 8010 Graz, Tel.: (0316) 8035-0

For Carinthia:
Kärntner Gebietskrankenkasse für Arbeiter und Angestellte
Kempfstrasse 8, 9020 Klagenfurt, Tel.: (0463) 5855-0

For Salzburg:
Salzburger Gebietskrankenkasse für Arbeiter und Angestellte
Faberstrasse 19-23, 5020 Salzburg, Tel.: (0662) 8889-0

For Tyrol:
Tiroler Gebietskrankenkasse für Arbeiter und Angestellte
Klara-Pölt-Weg 2, 6020 Innsbruck, Tel.: (0512) 5916-0

For Vorarlberg:
Vorarlberger Gebietskrankenkasse für Arbeiter und Angestellte
Jahngasse 4, 6850 Dornbirn, Tel.: (05572) 302-0