Travel Insurance for Austria (2026)
Updated: August 27 2026| Found helpful by 12 others
Applying for a visa
An Austrian Schengen visa requires travel health insurance with at least €30,000 of medical cover, valid across the whole Schengen area for your entire stay, and including emergency treatment and medical repatriation. Austrian insurer ERV sells compliant single-trip policies from €15, and consulates check the policy document at your appointment.
Already resident here
Your e-card doubles as a European Health Insurance Card and covers state healthcare across the EU, EEA, Switzerland and the UK, but pays nothing outside that area and never covers repatriation or trip cancellation. For trips home or further afield, SafetyWing from USD 45 per 4 weeks or an annual Austrian policy fills the gap.
Sorting changes the order of the provider cards below.
Our overall pick below is SafetyWing, from From USD 45 / 4 weeks.
SafetyWing Nomad Insurance
Subscription model with flexible monthly billing, ideal for digital nomads and long-stay residents.
- Price
- From USD 45 / 4 weeks
- Medical coverBest
- USD 250,000
- Schengen visa
- Not always accepted
- Trip cancellation
- Not covered, interruption to USD 5,000
More details
- Coverage area
- 180+ countries
- Billing
- Subscription, no fixed end date
Prices as of August 2026, verify on the provider site.
Pros
- Subscription model with no fixed end date
- Coverage in 180+ countries
- Affordable at USD 45 per 4 weeks
Cons
- USD-based pricing
- Lower coverage limits than some European providers
Best for Digital nomads and residents with flexible travel plans who need ongoing coverage
Allianz Travel Insurance
Schengen-compliant global cover with strong English support and reliable claims processing.
- Price
- From €19.90/year
- Medical cover
- €100,000
- Schengen visaBest
- Accepted by all embassies
- Trip cancellation
- Optional, at extra cost
More details
- Assistance
- 24/7 multilingual
Prices as of August 2026, verify on the provider site.
Pros
- Accepted by all Schengen embassies
- €100,000 medical coverage
- 24/7 multilingual assistance
Cons
- Higher price than basic providers
- Single-trip plans can be expensive for long stays
Best for Visa applicants who need guaranteed Schengen-compliant coverage accepted by all embassies
Europische Reiseversicherung (ERV)
Austrian-headquartered travel specialist with full trip-cancellation cover and Vienna-based service.
- PriceBest
- From €15 / trip
- Medical cover
- Medical and repatriation
- Schengen visa
- Embassy-recognised
- Trip cancellationBest
- Included
More details
- Claims
- Austrian company, local processing
Prices as of August 2026, verify on the provider site.
Pros
- Austrian company with local claims processing
- Single-trip plans from just €15
- Well-regarded by Austrian embassies
Cons
- Less international brand recognition
- Website primarily in German
Best for Budget travelers and frequent flyers who want an Austrian-based insurer with local expertise
These providers offer travel insurance accepted for Austrian and Schengen visa applications, as well as general travel coverage for people living in Austria:
What Travel Insurance Do You Need for an Austrian Visa Application?
If you are applying for a Schengen visa (Type C, short-stay) to visit Austria, travel health insurance is a mandatory requirement. The Schengen visa regulations require your insurance to meet specific criteria:
- ✓Minimum coverage of €30,000 for medical emergencies
- ✓Must cover the entire Schengen area, not just Austria
- ✓Must cover emergency medical treatment and hospital stays
- ✓Must cover medical repatriation and emergency evacuation
- ✓Must be valid for the entire duration of your stay plus a recommended buffer of 15 days
- ✓Must be issued by an insurance company recognized in the Schengen area
Without valid travel insurance that meets these requirements, your Schengen visa application will be rejected. Make sure to get the insurance before your visa interview and bring the policy document to your appointment at the embassy or consulate.
Do Residence Permit Holders in Austria Need Travel Insurance?
If you already have a residence permit and are covered by Austrian social health insurance (OGK, SVS, or BVAEB), your public insurance provides limited coverage within the EU/EEA through theEuropean Health Insurance Card (EHIC) (or e-card in Austria). However, this coverage is limited to the same level of public healthcare available in the country you are visiting, and does not cover repatriation, trip cancellation, or lost luggage.
For trips outside the EU/EEA (such as visiting family in your home country), your Austrian public health insurance provides no coverage at all. In these cases, separate travel insurance is strongly recommended to cover medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and other travel-related risks. The Austrian Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA) provides country-specific travel advice. Budget for this as part of your overall cost of living in Austria.
What Should You Look For in Travel Insurance for Austria?
Medical Emergency Coverage
The most critical component. Look for policies with at least €100,000 in medical coverage (€30,000 minimum for Schengen visa). This should cover emergency treatment, hospital stays, surgery, and medication.
Repatriation and Evacuation
Covers the cost of transporting you back to your home country for continued medical treatment or in case of death. Medical flights can cost tens of thousands of euros, so this coverage is essential.
Trip Cancellation and Interruption
Reimburses non-refundable travel expenses if you need to cancel or cut short your trip due to illness, family emergency, or other covered reasons.
Luggage and Personal Belongings
Covers loss, theft, or damage to your baggage and personal items during your trip. Useful but typically has per-item limits and overall caps.
How Much Does Travel Insurance for Austria Cost?
| Policy type | Typical price | Medical cover | Schengen visa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single trip, up to 30 days | €15 to 40 | €30,000 to 100,000 | Accepted |
| Annual multi-trip | €50 to 120/year | €100,000+ | Accepted |
| Nomad subscription | From USD 45 / 4 weeks | USD 250,000 | Not always accepted |
| Family annual policy | €90 to 200/year | €100,000+ | Accepted |
For a single visa application the cheapest compliant route is a single-trip policy from an Austrian or EU insurer, which starts around €15 and produces exactly the document a consulate expects. Annual policies only pay off from roughly the third trip a year. Nomad subscriptions such as SafetyWing are priced for long stays rather than visa paperwork, and some consulates reject them because they carry no fixed policy period.
Buy the visa policy before the appointment
Consulates check the policy document itself, not a booking confirmation. Buy the cover, download the certificate showing the €30,000 figure and the Schengen-wide validity, and bring it printed. A policy bought after a refusal does not reopen the application.
Travel Insurance for Austria: Frequently Asked Questions
How much travel insurance do you need for an Austrian Schengen visa?
A minimum of €30,000 in medical cover, valid across the entire Schengen area for the whole duration of your stay. The policy must cover emergency treatment, hospital admission, and medical repatriation. Austrian consulates check the policy document at the appointment, so bring a printed copy showing the coverage amount in euros.
Is travel insurance mandatory to enter Austria?
It is mandatory for Schengen visa (Type C) applicants and for national visa (Type D) applicants. Visa-free visitors, including citizens of the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, are not required to show insurance at the border, but Austrian healthcare is billed in full to uninsured visitors, so cover is strongly advised.
Does your Austrian e-card cover you abroad?
Inside the EU, EEA, Switzerland, and the UK, your e-card works as a European Health Insurance Card and covers medically necessary state healthcare at local rates. It does not cover repatriation, private clinics, trip cancellation, or lost luggage, and it provides no cover at all outside that area.
What is the difference between travel insurance and travel health insurance for Austria?
Travel health insurance covers only medical costs and repatriation, which is the part a Schengen visa requires. Full travel insurance bundles that medical cover with trip cancellation, delay, baggage, and liability. For a visa application the medical component is what matters; the rest protects your trip costs.
Does travel insurance satisfy the Austrian residence permit requirement?
Usually not. Residence permits require cover for all risks in Austria with no fixed end date, and ordinary travel policies carry payout caps and expiry dates that MA 35 rejects. Applicants for a residence permit need statutory cover or a comprehensive international health policy instead.
Related Guides
Expat Health Insurance
Residence-permit cover, which travel insurance does not satisfy.
Schengen Visa
Requirements and application process for the Schengen short-stay visa.
Health Insurance
Public and private health insurance options in Austria.
Visa Guide
Overview of Austrian visa types and application processes.