Insurance, Loans and Energy in Austria

Yes. Health insurance is mandatory for everyone living in Austria. If you are employed, you are automatically covered through the OeGK (public health insurance) via your social security contributions. Self-employed individuals register with the SVS. Non-EU nationals need proof of insurance before entering the country.

Private supplementary insurance in Austria costs between EUR 50 and 300 per month, depending on coverage. It gives you access to private doctors (Wahlarzt), shorter waiting times and single-bed hospital rooms. Age and pre-existing conditions affect the price.

It depends on your residency status and income. Employed residents with a regular salary can apply for consumer loans at most Austrian banks. A clean KSV record (Austria's credit bureau) helps. Some online providers also serve applicants with limited credit history.

Austria has a situational winter tire requirement from 1 November to 15 April. If there is snow, ice or slush on the road, your car must have winter tires with at least 4 mm tread depth. Fines for non-compliance start at EUR 35 and can go much higher.

You can switch online in a few minutes. All you need is your last electricity bill with the meter point number (Zahlpunktbezeichnung). The new provider takes care of cancelling the old contract. Your power supply is never interrupted during the switch.

Mandatory: social insurance (health, accident, pension) if employed, and car liability insurance if you own a vehicle. Strongly recommended: household insurance (Haushaltsversicherung), which usually includes personal liability and starts at around EUR 8 per month. Everything else is optional.