Health Insurance for Students in Austria 2026: Family, ÖGK, Private

Advertising Notice (Austrian UWG § 6): This guide contains affiliate links to durchblicker.at. If you sign a contract through these links, we receive a commission. The editorial assessment is not influenced by this. All rates and legal references come from official sources (ÖGK, ASVG, the Austrian Social Insurance Umbrella Body, BMBWF) and were verified on 27 May 2026.

How are students health-insured in Austria?

In Austria, students have three legitimate ways to secure statutory health cover: free co-insurance with a parent (up to age 27 under ASVG § 123), the ÖGK student self-insurance at the reduced monthly contribution of €78.84 (as of 2026), or mandatory insurance through paid work above the marginal earnings threshold. EU and EEA students are covered in emergencies through the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Third-country nationals must show comprehensive health insurance to obtain the "Student" residence permit (NAG § 11). For the wider system overview, see our Austrian Health Insurance Guide 2026.

TL;DR – Key points at a glance

• Family co-insurance: free until completion of the 27th year of life. A proof of academic progress is required from the second year of study (§ 123 (4) ASVG).
• ÖGK student self-insurance 2026: €78.84/month. Apply directly with ÖGK. Requires regular university enrolment and income below the marginal earnings threshold.
• Marginal earnings threshold 2026: €551.10 gross per month (Ministry of Social Affairs / WKO).
• EU/EEA students: EHIC covers acute medical needs. Longer stays require ÖGK self-insurance or equivalent private cover.
• Third-country students: A comprehensive health insurance is mandatory for the "Student" residence permit (§ 64 NAG, § 11 NAG).
• Private supplementary cover: Outpatient specialist plans start at around €20, special class at around €40 per month. Locking in young keeps premiums low for life.

1. Family co-insurance (free)

Free co-insurance through a parent remains the default for most Austrian students. The legal basis is § 123 of the General Social Insurance Act (ASVG).

Requirements under ASVG § 123 (4):

• Regular enrolment at a recognised university (public university, university of applied sciences, university college)
• Own income below the marginal earnings threshold (2026: €551.10/month)
• Age limit: up to completion of the 27th year of life (hard cap)
• Main residence in Austria
• From the second year onward: proof of academic progress (minimum 8 semester hours or 16 ECTS per academic year in the main subject)

What the co-insurance covers:

• Full benefits in kind of statutory health insurance (doctor, hospital, medication, maternity, rehabilitation)
• Identical scope to the insured parent
• Accident insurance is handled separately (student fee / Austrian National Union of Students ÖH)

When the co-insurance ends:

• Upon completion of the 27th year of life (no extension, except for documented disability per BEinstG § 8)
• On withdrawal or major change of studies without proof of academic progress
• When income exceeds the threshold
• If the insured parent leaves the social insurance system

Practice tip: ÖGK actively requests proof of academic progress from the second year onward. Without it, co-insurance is suspended and medical bills can be retroactively invoiced to the student.

2. ÖGK student self-insurance

If co-insurance is no longer an option, ÖGK offers the affordable student self-insurance under § 16 (2) ASVG.

Insurance type	Monthly rate 2026	Requirements
Student self-insurance	€78.84	Regular university enrolment, income ≤ marginal threshold
Self-insurance for marginal workers	€76.89	Marginal employment (health + pension contributions)
Regular self-insurance (§ 16 ASVG)	from approx. €500	Without student status, income-based

Source: Austrian Health Insurance (ÖGK), contribution rates 2026. Contributions are adjusted annually based on the legal revaluation factor.

Application step-by-step:

1. Download the form "Antrag auf Selbstversicherung in der Krankenversicherung für Studierende" from gesundheitskasse.at
2. Attach current enrolment confirmation
3. Declaration of income (Austrian study grants are not counted as insurable income)
4. Submit in person, by post, or via the MeineSV portal to the responsible ÖGK regional office
5. Confirmation and payment slip usually arrive within two to four weeks

Retroactive limits: The student self-insurance can be claimed up to six months retroactively. Students who miss the deadline are uninsured for the gap period.

3. Mandatory insurance through paid work

If you earn above the marginal earnings threshold (€551.10/month in 2026), automatic full insurance kicks in. Health, pension, and unemployment contributions are deducted from gross pay. In that case:

• Co-insurance and student self-insurance are no longer needed
• Out-of-pocket private doctor fees may be tax-deductible
• Entitlement to sick pay after the 14-day waiting period (§ 138 ASVG)

If you stay below the threshold, you are only accident-insured through your employer. Co-insurance or student self-insurance therefore remains mandatory.

Marginally employed students – three paths compared

More than 60 percent of Austrian students work alongside their studies (Student Social Survey 2023, BMBWF). Most stay below the marginal threshold.

Option A – Keep parental co-insurance

• Cost: €0
• Full health insurance
• Accident insurance only through the employer
• Academic progress must be documented

Option B – ÖGK student self-insurance

• Cost: €78.84/month
• Full health insurance under your own name
• Required when co-insurance is no longer possible

Option C – Marginal-employment self-insurance

• Cost: €76.89/month
• Health and pension insurance contributions
• Useful for students who want to accumulate pension entitlements

When does co-insurance end?

Situation	End of co-insurance	Next step
Turning 27	End of the month of the 27th birthday	Apply for ÖGK self-insurance
Studies completed / exmatriculation	End of the semester	Job, AMS registration, or self-insurance
Income above €551.10/month	As soon as the threshold is exceeded	Mandatory cover via employer
Parent leaves health insurance	Immediately	Other co-insurance or self-insurance
Missing academic progress	From the second year of study	Self-insurance or submit progress proof

EU/EEA students in Austria

For students from Germany, Italy, Slovenia, Hungary, or any other EU/EEA country, EU Regulations 883/2004 and 987/2009 apply.

What the EHIC covers:

• Medically necessary acute care in Austria
• Treatment with contracted doctors and in public hospitals
• Maternity care, chronic illness, emergencies

What the EHIC does not cover:

• Repatriation in case of illness
• Planned treatments without an S2 form
• Services beyond the Austrian benefits-in-kind level

Recommendation for longer stays: If you spend more than a semester in Austria, consider switching your main residence to Austria and joining ÖGK either via co-insurance (if a parent in Austria is insured) or via student self-insurance. You will receive the e-card and full access to the Austrian healthcare system.

Third-country students: insurance requirement for residence permit

Students from non-EU/EEA countries (Turkey, Western Balkans, Latin America, Asia, Africa, etc.) need health insurance for the "Student" residence permit under § 64 NAG. The decisive provision is § 11 (2) (3) NAG.

Requirements for the insurance policy:

• Coverage including all risks (illness, maternity, emergencies)
• No cost cap, or at minimum equivalent to ÖGK benefits in kind
• Validity in Austria
• Written confirmation for MA 35 (Vienna) or the responsible district authority

Options that meet the requirement:

1. ÖGK student self-insurance (€78.84/month) – possible after registering main residence
2. Private health insurance with student tariff (e.g., Generali, UNIQA, Wiener Städtische) – from approx. €35–€60/month for under-30s
3. Insurance from your home country, provided the level of coverage is equivalent to ÖGK (confirmation by the foreign insurer required)

Practical note: Travel health insurance, which many students bring on the first application, is usually not accepted by MA 35. Clarify the requirements before entering Austria – otherwise the residence permit may be refused.

When parents are no longer insured

If parents are not in the Austrian statutory system anymore (e.g., private insurance only, moved abroad, retired outside Austria), co-insurance is no longer available. In that case:

• Immediate student self-insurance at ÖGK is possible (€78.84/month)
• Application can be filed up to six months retroactively
• The Austrian study grant (maximum €980/month under the BMBWF Stipendienstelle in 2026) does not count as insurable income

Is private supplementary cover worth it during studies?

Private insurers (Generali, UNIQA, Wiener Städtische, Merkur, Donau) offer student-friendly tariffs. Three reasons favour an early start:

1. Lock in the entry age: Risk surcharges are based on entry age. Starting at 22 means lifelong lower premiums versus starting at 32.
2. Secure your health status: Conditions that develop later (chronic migraine, ADHD diagnosis, back issues) stay within the existing contract terms.
3. Use the private-doctor network: Shorter waits for MRI scans, specialist appointments, and the special class room.

Arguments against:

• Tight student budget
• Young adults usually require few medical services
• The decision can be postponed until after graduation, but at higher premiums

Rule of thumb: If you want long-term access to special class, private doctors, or private clinics, an option tariff during your studies pays off. If your budget is tight, postponing by six to eight years rarely creates dramatic extra costs.

Family situations: students with a child

Students who become parents can co-insure their child via the insured parent. In addition:

• Maternity allowance and childcare benefit are processed via ÖGK
• The young mother's student self-insurance remains €78.84/month
• The child is co-insured at no extra cost (§ 123 (2) ASVG, § 8 KBGG)

For family-specific information, continue with Baby Health Insurance without Health Questions.

Checklist – verify your insurance status

• [ ] Family co-insurance still active and you are under 27?
• [ ] Current enrolment confirmation available?
• [ ] From the second year of study: academic progress proof filed with ÖGK?
• [ ] Income below €551.10/month?
• [ ] When co-insurance ends: self-insurance application sent four weeks in advance?
• [ ] For third-country nationals: insurance confirmation ready for MA 35 / district authority?
• [ ] Optional: private supplementary tariffs compared?

Frequently asked questions

How much is the student self-insurance in 2026?

The student self-insurance with the Austrian Health Insurance (ÖGK) is €78.84 per month as of May 2026. The contribution is revalued annually under § 51 ASVG.

Until what age does parental co-insurance apply?

Under § 123 ASVG, co-insurance applies up to completion of the 27th year of life. From the second year of study, a proof of academic progress is required. The age limit may be waived for students with a recognised disability under BEinstG.

What happens when I turn 27 and still study?

Co-insurance ends at the end of the month of your 27th birthday. Four to six weeks earlier, file the application for student self-insurance at ÖGK. The contribution is €78.84/month.

As an EU student, am I automatically insured in Austria?

EU/EEA students with main residence in their home country are covered for acute medical needs in Austria via the EHIC. For longer stays, ÖGK recommends self-insurance in Austria.

What do third-country students need for the residence permit?

Under § 11 NAG, you must show health insurance covering all risks with validity in Austria. Travel insurance usually does not qualify. Reliable options: ÖGK student self-insurance or a private student tariff with full coverage.

Can I combine self-insurance with a part-time job?

Yes. As long as the part-time job stays marginal (under €551.10/month in 2026), you remain self-insured. If income exceeds that, mandatory insurance via the employer kicks in.

Is private supplementary insurance worth it during studies?

It is not mandatory but very affordable: outpatient specialist tariffs start at around €20–€30/month. Early entry locks in low premiums and protects you from future risk surcharges.

Do students receive sick pay?

No. Sick pay requires mandatory insurance through paid work (§ 138 ASVG). Students with self-insurance receive benefits in kind but no sick pay.

Conclusion

The Austrian system gives students a tightly tiered safety net: free through a parent, affordable through ÖGK, or mandatory through paid work. Switching on time keeps coverage continuous. EU students should review their EHIC scope, while third-country students must meet NAG requirements before arriving. Private supplementary cover is at its cheapest during studies – locking in low premiums early is the strongest argument for an early start.

Related guides:

• Health Insurance Guide Austria 2026
• Private Health Insurance Monthly Costs
• Health Insurance from Age 30 – Worth It?
• UNIQA vs Merkur Health Insurance Comparison

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Sources (as of 27 May 2026): Austrian Health Insurance (oegk.at) – student self-insurance · Austrian Social Insurance Umbrella Body (sozialversicherung.at) – 2026 contributions · Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research (bmbwf.gv.at) – Student Social Survey · General Social Insurance Act (ASVG) §§ 123, 16, 51 (RIS) · Settlement and Residence Act (NAG) §§ 11, 64 · Austrian Chamber of Labour (arbeiterkammer.at) · Austrian National Union of Students (oeh.ac.at).

Disclaimer: This guide is not a substitute for individual legal or insurance advice. Contributions, marginal earnings thresholds, and regulations change annually. For binding information, contact your local ÖGK office, the Austrian Social Insurance Umbrella Body, or the responsible immigration authority (MA 35 or district authority).