Finding the right health insurance in Austria can feel overwhelming—especially if you are arriving with a spouse or children.
Austria has an excellent healthcare system and offers both public and private routes for international students. Some are straightforward. Others require careful interpretation of eligibility rules, income limits, and visa acceptance requirements.

This guide breaks everything down clearly.
You will find real numbers, practical scenarios, and tips that help you avoid the most common mistakes families make when applying for Austrian residence permits.

Let’s get started.

Why Families Need to Plan Early

Austria is generous with healthcare access, but student families have more conditions to meet than single students.
Public insurance can be affordable, yet not everyone qualifies. Private plans are widely accepted, but benefits differ significantly for spouses and children.

The real challenge is knowing which path you fall into.
And that’s exactly what the sections below will help you figure out.

1. Public Options (ÖGK-Based)

Austria’s public health insurance system is high-quality, predictable, and widely accepted. For many families, it is the cheapest way to stay covered—but only if the eligibility boxes are ticked.

Below are the main public routes open to international students and their dependants.

1. ÖGK Self-Insurance for Students (Preferential Tariff)

This is the most well-known path for students without employment or family insurance.

Cost: Around €73.48/month in 2025 for the student.
This rate is heavily subsidized and offers excellent value.

What it covers:

• GP and specialist visits
  
• Hospital care
  
• Prescription medication
  
• Medical aids (e.g., crutches, braces)
  

There is no cash benefit (sickness allowance), no private-room upgrade, and maternity cover is limited.
Still, for essential care, the coverage is strong.

Can family members join under this plan?

Yes—sometimes. But the rules are narrow.

Eligible dependants may include:

• Spouse or registered partner
  
• Children (biological, step, or foster)
  

However, ÖGK checks income dependency, residence status, and whether the spouse is eligible for free co-insurance.
If the spouse earns above a small threshold or is not considered dependent, they may be rejected.

Practical takeaway:
If your spouse has no income and will remain fully dependent on you, check ÖGK rules early.
If not, look at private plans or voluntary public insurance.

2. Family Co-Insurance Through an Employed Spouse/Parent

If someone in the family takes up employment in Austria—even part-time—you may gain access to statutory health insurance for the whole household.

Who qualifies?

• The employed spouse
  
• Their student spouse
  
• Their children (usually free)
  

Typical coverage window:

• Children co-insured until 18
  
• Or until 27 with proof of continuous education
  

Cost: Often free for dependants or extremely low.

Why this option is powerful

It gives a family of three or four full Austrian public health insurance for roughly the same cost as one employed person’s contribution.
This is by far the most cost-effective long-term option—if employment is possible.

3. EHIC/GHIC + Austrian Coverage (EU/EEA/UK Students)

EU/EEA/UK students holding a valid EHIC or GHIC can access necessary public care at Austrian hospitals and clinics.
Family members may also qualify under home-country rules.

But there’s a catch.
Many Austrian universities still require additional private insurance for visa, enrolment, or repatriation coverage.
EHIC alone rarely meets all requirements.

Who should use this option?

EU families planning short stays or those who want to combine EHIC with a private top-up policy.

4. Voluntary Public Health Insurance for Non-Working Residents

Some spouses who are not eligible for co-insurance may still apply for voluntary public health insurance.
This is useful when a family plans to remain in Austria for several years.

Cost: Income-based, sometimes higher than student rates but still competitive.

Ideal for:

• Spouses not eligible for free co-insurance
  
• Long-term stays
  
• Families who want predictable Austrian coverage with minimal exclusions

2. Private Student-Oriented Plans

If public insurance is not an option—or if you need specific benefits—private plans are the next line of defense.
Austrian immigration authorities accept many private insurers, but not all of them are optimized for families.

Below are the most reliable options for international students and their dependants.

5. Care Concept – Care Austria (Student Tariff)

This is one of the most widely accepted student plans in Austria.

Cost: From €51/month (ages 12–35)
Duration: Can be extended up to several years

What it offers:

• Outpatient and inpatient care
  
• Emergency services
  
• Prescription medication (within limits)
  

Important notes for families:

• Maternity benefits are limited
  
• Pre-existing conditions can be restricted
  
• Family members may need separate contracts
  

Despite this, Care Austria is a strong visa-approved starting point for the student alone.

6. FeelSafe Austria (Expat & Student Health Plans)

FeelSafe positions itself as “100% accepted for visa and residence permits,” which is extremely helpful for documentation.

Strengths:

• Several deductible and benefit levels
  
• Clear visa acceptance guarantee
  
• Suitable for young families
  

Watch out for:

• Whether your spouse and children can be added
  
• Waiting periods for pregnancy
  
• Rules for newborn coverage
  

This plan works best when you need something simple, reliable, and compliant.

7. Cigna Global – International Health Insurance (Austria)

Cigna is ideal for mobile families who may live in multiple countries during the study period.

Why choose Cigna:

• Wide international hospital network
  
• Strong maternity modules
  
• Chronic-condition support
  
• Dental and vision add-ons
  
• High annual limits
  

Who it suits most:
Families who want long-term, portable coverage—beyond just student years.

8. Allianz Care – International Student Health Insurance

Allianz is another global powerhouse offering student-friendly plans with optional extensions for dependants.

Benefits include:

• Inpatient and outpatient
  
• Evacuation coverage
  
• Optional maternity modules
  
• Global hospital acceptance
  

This is ideal for families planning to stay in Austria long-term or continue coverage after graduation.

9. Other International Expat Insurers (AXA, Bupa, etc.)

These providers offer premium, globally accepted policies with strong family options.

Pros:

• Excellent maternity coverage
  
• Tiered hospital networks
  
• Strong chronic-care support
  
• Good for relocations
  

Cons:

• Higher cost than student-specific tariffs
  
• May require annual contracts
  

They’re perfect for families needing top-tier benefits or continuity beyond Austria.

10. Short-Term Schengen/Visitor Health Policies (For Family Stays Under 6–12 Months)

These policies are often used for visiting spouses or children who stay temporarily.

Advantages:

• Affordable
  
• Accepted for short-term visa applications
  
• Fast to issue
  

Limitations:

• Weak for long-term residency
  
• Limited renewability
  
• Basic hospital coverage only
  
• No integration with Austrian public system
  

Use these only for short visits—not for multi-year stays.

3. Typical Cost Ranges (Family of 3–4)

Below is what families realistically spend in Austria depending on the insurance route they choose.

Public Student Self-Insurance + Family Co-Insurance

€70–€80/month total
Best-case scenario when spouse/children qualify for free or low-cost co-insurance.
But eligibility rules are strict.

Student Private Plan + Separate Expat Plan for Family

• Student (Care Austria/FeelSafe): €50–€70/month
  
• Spouse + up to two children: €150–€400/month
  

Good value if maternity and chronic conditions matter.

Single Comprehensive Expat Family Policy

• Budget: €250/month
  
• Mid-range: €400–€500/month
  
• Premium with maternity & dental: €600+/month
  

Best for families who move frequently or want global coverage.

4. Key Coverage Points to Compare

Choosing family health insurance is not just about monthly premiums.
The details matter—even small ones.

Here’s what smart families look at before applying for a visa or residence permit.

Visa Acceptance

Austria requires proof of adequate health insurance.
Always confirm that:

✔ The insurer explicitly states visa/residence permit acceptance
✔ The plan is valid for the full duration of stay
✔ The policy includes Austrian-accepted wording

Care Austria and FeelSafe make this easiest.

Family Inclusion Rules

Check:

• Can spouse/children join the same contract?
  
• Are there waiting periods for pregnancy?
  
• From when is a newborn covered?
  
• Are vaccinations included?
  

For expectant families, maternity caps and newborn rules are essential.

Hospital and Outpatient Coverage

Ensure the plan covers:

• Public hospital inpatient care
  
• Specialist consultations
  
• Diagnostic tests
  
• Emergency services
  
• Prescription medication
  
• Medical evacuation (optional but recommended)
  

Public ÖGK is strong, but private plans may limit certain services.

Pre-Existing Conditions

Public insurance covers pre-existing conditions once you’re enrolled.
Private insurers may:

• Exclude conditions
  
• Add waiting periods
  
• Increase premiums
  

Be honest during disclosure—misstatements can void claims later.

5. Practical Tips for Families Choosing Health Insurance

These tips come from common issues faced by international students in Austria.
They can save you both time and money.

Tip 1: Start with ÖGK Student Self-Insurance

It is the most affordable and comprehensive base option.
Check co-insurance rules early—especially if your spouse has no income.

Tip 2: If Co-Insurance Fails, Split Your Strategy

Use a student-specific private plan for the student, and a separate expat family plan for spouse and children.

This often provides the best balance of cost and coverage.

Tip 3: Prioritize Maternity & Newborn Coverage

If you plan to have children in Austria, check:

• Maternity waiting periods (often 8–10 months)
  
• Newborn automatic inclusion
  
• Neonatal intensive care limits
  

These vary dramatically between insurers.

Tip 4: Collect Official Plan Conditions (AGB)

AGB documents contain the real rules—not just marketing summaries.
Print or save:

• Benefit tables
  
• General terms
  
• Visa acceptance letters
  

They make university and residence permit checks easier.

Tip 5: Verify Everything with ÖGK or Your University

Rules and contributions change yearly.
University international offices usually know the newest updates for student families.

The Best Strategy for Most Student Families

In Austria, families of international students have multiple health insurance paths, each suited to different situations.

If you qualify for ÖGK self-insurance + co-insurance, it’s usually the most cost-effective and stable option.
If not, combine a student-optimized private plan (Care Austria or FeelSafe) with an expat family policy (Cigna, Allianz, AXA, or Bupa).

A single comprehensive expat family policy works best for mobile, globally oriented families or those wanting high limits and maternity protection.