Travel insurance in Austria

A trip to Austria is an unforgettable experience amidst breathtaking Alpine landscapes, imperial cities and centuries-old traditions. However, even in a country as safe and efficient as Austria, it is essential to protect yourself against unforeseen events that could jeopardise the serenity of your holiday.

Travel insurance for Austria is not compulsory for European citizens, but it is a wise choice to protect your investment and ensure assistance in case of need. From unexpected medical expenses to accidents on the ski slopes, from lost luggage to trip cancellation, a good insurance policy offers peace of mind and concrete support.

Understanding the different types of cover available and choosing the one that best suits your needs is essential for leaving prepared and experiencing Austria with complete peace of mind.

Why take out insurance for Austria

Austria boasts one of the most advanced healthcare systems in the world, but this does not mean that tourists are exempt from costs. Medical expenses for non-resident visitors can be significant, especially in the case of hospitalisation or emergency operations in Alpine areas.

EU citizens may use the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to receive urgent medical treatment at public facilities with a valid health insurance agreement. However, the EHIC does not cover all expenses: medical co-payments, treatment in private facilities, medical repatriation and mountain rescue costs remain the responsibility of the patient.

Typical activities during a holiday in Austria involve specific risks: skiing and snowboarding, high-altitude trekking, mountaineering and water sports on Alpine lakes. Injuries during these activities may require costly helicopter rescue and specialist care.

In addition, Austria has weather conditions that can cause flight cancellations, transport delays and forced travel disruptions, especially during the winter months and summer storms in Alpine regions.

Confronto delle migliori assicurazioni di viaggio

Di seguito una tabella riepilogativa di quelle che riteniamo essere le migliori assicurazioni di viaggio.

Sono stati inclusi l’assicurazione sanitaria e, ove possibile, quella di annullamento. Tutte le assicurazioni di seguito inoltre includono assistenza H24 e pagamento diretto delle spese ospedaliere.

Austrian healthcare system and EHIC

The Austrian public health system (Österreichische Gesundheitskasse) guarantees high quality medical care through an extensive network of hospitals and outpatient clinics. European citizens can access this system by presenting the EHIC to contracted doctors.

The contracted doctors can be identified by the insignia ‘Kassenarzt’ or ‘Alle Kassen’ and provide free services to EHIC holders. However, many specialists operate as ‘Wahlarzt’ (private doctors) and their services are only partially reimbursed, up to 80 per cent of the public rate.

For hospital admissions, the EHIC covers treatment in affiliated university and regional hospitals, but the patient is charged a daily co-payment for the first 28 days, which varies according to the federal state (generally EUR 10-15 per day).

The limitations of the EHIC include: it does not cover private health care, medical repatriation, mountain rescue, planned care, specialised dental care and companion fees. In the case of risky sports activities, many facilities require prepayment even with valid EHIC.

Types of insurance cover

Health insurance and medical expenses

Health insurance is the basic cover, providing reimbursement for medical expenses, hospitalisation, specialist visits and prescribed medication. Maximum limits generally range from EUR 50,000 to EUR 500,000, with formulas that provide direct assistance or reimbursement.

It includes cover for emergency (non-aesthetic) dental care, ambulance transport, clinical analyses and X-rays. Special attention is paid to injuries during sports activities, which are often covered with dedicated limits.

Medical assistance and repatriation

Medical repatriation becomes essential in the event of serious injuries in Alpine areas. It includes medical transport to the country of origin, by medical plane when necessary, and accompaniment by a family member if the patient is a minor.

24/7 assistance provides multilingual telephone support, organisation of medical treatment, advance payment of hospital fees, location of suitable medical facilities and telephone medical advice. Some products also include dispatch of locally unavailable drugs.

Trip cancellation and interruption

Cancellation insurance reimburses non-refundable penalties in the event of cancellation of the trip for reasons covered: serious illness, accident, death of family members, court summons, loss of job or serious damage to home.

Trip interruption covers early return and non-use of paid services. It also includes forced extension of stay for medical reasons, with reimbursement of additional board and lodging.

Baggage and personal effects

Baggage cover protects against theft, loss, damage or delayed arrival of luggage and personal effects. Provides compensation for essential purchases in the event of baggage delays of more than 12-24 hours.

Includes protection for sports equipment (skis, snowboards, hiking equipment), often with dedicated limits. Cover extends to travel documents, credit cards and keys, with assistance for replacement.

Winter sports and Alpine activities

Austria is a popular destination for winter sports, which require specific cover. Ski and snowboard insurance includes accidents on the slopes, equipment breakage or theft, lessons lost due to injury and piste rescue costs.

Mountain rescue in Austria can be expensive: helicopter rescue costs EUR 3,000-5,000, piste rescue EUR 200-500, while transport to a specialised hospital can exceed EUR 10,000. The EHIC does not cover these services, making dedicated insurance essential.

Summer activities such as hiking, mountaineering, mountain biking and water sports on Alpine lakes are generally covered by standard policies, but extreme or off-piste activities require specific extensions.

Many Austrian ski schools and rentals require proof of adequate insurance before providing services, especially for private lessons or professional equipment.

How to choose the right insurance

The choice of insurance depends on the type of trip: a cultural holiday in Vienna requires different cover from a skiing holiday in Tyrol or trekking in the Austrian Alps. Always assess the relationship between planned activities and the coverage offered.

Maximum limits must be appropriate for Austrian medical costs: at least EUR 100,000 for medical expenses, EUR 50,000 for repatriation, cancellation cover equal to the value of the trip. For winter sports, check specific limits for piste rescue and helicopter rescue.

Check the most common exclusions: professional sports activities, off-piste skiing, extreme mountaineering, use of alcohol or substances, undeclared pre-existing illnesses. Some policies exclude over 75s or require medical certificates for older age groups.

Deductibles affect the final cost: policies without deductibles cost more but offer full reimbursement. Consider whether you prefer direct care (the company pays directly) or deferred reimbursement.

Practical advice

Before departure, check the validity of the EHIC and keep a separate copy. Take your insurance contact details and policy number with you, preferably saved on your smartphone. Take photos of important documents and store them on the cloud.

When travelling, always contact your insurance company before incurring non-urgent medical expenses. Keep all receipts, medical reports and documentation. In an emergency, use the European numbers 112 (general) or 144 (ambulance Austria).

For sports activities, always observe safety rules, use appropriate protective equipment and follow the instructions of qualified personnel. Many accidents are avoidable with caution and proper preparation.

The subscription must be made before departure, generally within 30 days of booking the trip in order to benefit from cancellation cover. Always read the glossary and general conditions carefully before purchasing.