Career at the University of Vienna

Social Security and Healthcare

At a Glance

As a University of Vienna employee, you are automatically enrolled in statutory health insurance from your first day of work – your employer registers you and deductions are made from your salary. You do not need to sign up yourself. 

University of Vienna staff are insured with the BVAEB (Versicherungsanstalt öffentlich Bediensteter, Eisenbahnen und Bergbau). Your e-card arrives by post shortly after registration and is your key to the healthcare system. 

Quick facts

  • Universal coverage: most residents are covered by statutory social insurance tied to their employment. Family members can often be co-insured.
  • Decentralised system: each province manages public health services. Vienna has extensive public hospitals and outpatient care.
  • First point of contact: general practitioners (GPs) and contracted specialists (Kassenärzt*innen) provide care covered by your insurer via the e-card.
  • Emergency Numbers in Vienna

Getting covered

University of Vienna Employees 

You are insured with the BVAEB. Your employer registers you from your first day of work and contributions are deducted from your salary automatically.

The BVAEB provides a comprehensive all-in-one package including: 

  • Health insurance: medical treatments, medication, and hospital stays
  • Accident insurance: coverage for work-related injuries and occupational diseases
  • Pension insurance: long-term security for retirement 
Barbara Mair

Useful tools

Social security number

The Austrian Social Security Number, known as Sozialversicherungsnummer (SVNR), is a unique 10-digit identification code assigned to anyone insured within Austria’s social, health, and pension systems. It is primarily used for doctor visits, managing pensions, filing taxes, and verifying employment status.

E-Card

Your e-card is your key to the healthcare system. You must bring it to every doctor's appointment. It contains your photo, social security number and proves your insurance status digitally. The back of the card also functions as your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for travel within the EU and EEA. 

If you are new to Austria and do not hold an Austrian ID or driver's licence, the system will not have your photo, therefore no e-card can be issued automatically.  You must visit a photo registration office in person.  Your e-card will be mailed within a few weeks after the appointment.

How to add your photo to the e-card? Further information on the topic can be found here: E-Card.

MyBVAEB App and Portal

The BVAEB offers a digital BVAEB portal and app that you can use to view your insurance data and coverage details and to submit certain medical bills for reimbursement.

Using Healthcare

Costs and Co-Payments (Indicative)

  • BVAEB members pay a contribution of 20% for certain medical services. This is known as the Behandlungsbeitrag. Exceptions, for example for hospital stays or emergencies, may apply in accordance with BVAEB regulations.
  • GP and specialist visits: covered when using contracted doctors with your e-card
  • Medicines: patient co-payment per prescribed item (so-called Rezeptgebühr). Exemptions possible based on income or chronic conditions; ask your insurer
  • Hospital stays (public): daily co-payment for up to 28 days per year
  • Private doctors: pay upfront and submit the invoice to your insurer for partial reimbursement (amount depends on the tariff) 
Gebhard Sengmueller

Checklist: Healthcare Setup

  1. Confirm you are insured with BVAEB via your employer or status
  2. Received your social security number (10 digits; last six are your date of birth)
  3. Receive your e-card: Your e-card arrives by post. If you are new to Austria, the system will not have your photo and no card can be issued automatically; if no photo is on file, booked an appointment at a registration office
  4. Use the MyBVAEB app or BVAEB portal
  5. Doctor search completed on Praxisplan.at, filtering by BVAEB
  6. Family members registered for co-insurance if applicable
  7. Prescriptions at the pharmacy: Present your e-card; expect a small co-payment per prescribed medication
  8. Private doctor invoices: Keep all invoices from private doctors and submit them to your insurer for partial reimbursement

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