# Pet Insurance in Austria for Expats (2026) > Guide to pet insurance in Austria for expats. Dog liability insurance, pet health coverage, costs for dogs and cats, and top providers. Updated: May 19 2026 · By Jules de Bruin · URL: https://www.how-to-austria.com/insurance/pet-insurance Updated May 19 2026. Pet insurance in Austria covers vet bills, surgery, and liability for dog owners. Dog liability insurance (Hundehaftpflicht) is **mandatory in Vienna**. Pet health insurance costs **EUR 15-40/month for dogs** and **EUR 10-25/month for cats**. With vet costs for surgeries easily reaching **EUR 2,000-5,000**, pet insurance provides valuable financial protection for expat pet owners. ## Top 3 Pet Insurance Providers in Austria These providers offer the most popular pet insurance plans for expats in Austria: Best Overall ### Allianz Tierversicherung 4.3Allianz offers both pet health insurance and dog liability insurance, making it easy to get complete coverage from one provider. Their plans cover surgery, hospitalization, and emergency vet visits with generous annual limits. Why we recommend it: Comprehensive Austrian pet insurance with strong dog-liability cover and digital claims. Best for: Expats who want comprehensive pet health and liability coverage from a single provider with English support Pros - +Combined health and liability plans - +24/7 emergency vet hotline - +Covers surgery up to EUR 7,000 per year Cons - −Higher premiums for large dog breeds - −12-month waiting period for hip and joint conditions - Pet health insurance for dogs and cats - Dog liability insurance up to EUR 5 million - Surgery coverage up to EUR 7,000 per year - Emergency vet hotline available 24/7 - Online claims submission - Starting from approximately EUR 18/month (dogs) [Get an Allianz Pet Quote](https://www.allianz.at)Best Value ### Uniqa Tierversicherung 4.1Uniqa offers flexible pet health insurance with three coverage tiers. Their plans are competitively priced, especially for cat owners, and they do not restrict coverage based on breed. Why we recommend it: Largest Austrian insurer with breed-specific pricing and household-bundle discounts. Best for: Budget-conscious expats who want solid pet health coverage with flexible plan options Pros - +Flexible coverage tiers from basic to premium - +Competitive pricing for cats - +No breed restrictions Cons - −Dog liability must be purchased separately - −Annual limit lower than competitors on basic plan - Three coverage tiers: Basic, Standard, Premium - No breed restrictions or exclusions - Covers vet visits, surgery, and medication - Annual check-ups included on Standard and Premium - Dog liability available as separate add-on - Starting from approximately EUR 12/month (cats) [Compare Uniqa Pet Plans](https://www.uniqa.at/tier) ### Petplan Tierversicherung 4.0Petplan specializes exclusively in pet insurance and offers streamlined plans with fast claims processing. Their focus on pet health means they offer detailed coverage options that generalist insurers may not match. Why we recommend it: Pet-specialist insurer with the broadest vet-bill coverage tiers and unlimited annual cover options. Best for: Expats who want specialized pet-only insurance with fast claims and high reimbursement rates Pros - +Specialized pet insurance provider - +Fast claims processing (average 5 days) - +Up to 80% reimbursement Cons - −No liability insurance option - −Higher premiums for pets over 8 years old - Specialized pet health insurance - Up to 80% reimbursement rate - Fast claims processing (5 business days average) - Covers hereditary and congenital conditions - Dental treatment included on premium tier - Starting from approximately EUR 20/month (dogs) [Explore Petplan Options](https://www.helvetia.at) ## Is Pet Insurance Mandatory in Austria? Dog liability insurance (Hundehaftpflicht) is mandatory in Vienna under the Wiener Tierhaltegesetz. All dog owners in Vienna must carry liability coverage for damage their dog may cause to people or property. Other provinces (Bundeslaender) do not currently mandate dog liability insurance, but it is strongly recommended everywhere. If your dog bites someone or damages property, you are personally liable under Austrian civil law. For more on your general liability, see our [liability insurance guide](/insurance/liability-insurance). Pet health insurance is optional throughout Austria. It covers veterinary treatment costs for illness and injury, including surgery, medication, and hospital stays. While not legally required, it is increasingly popular as vet costs continue to rise. #### Vienna Dog Owners In Vienna, you must register your dog with the city (MA 60), carry dog liability insurance, and complete a Hundefuhrschein (dog license) course for certain breeds. Fines for non-compliance start at EUR 100. ## What Does Pet Insurance Cover? ### Pet Health Insurance - ✓ Vet consultations and examinations - ✓ Surgery and hospital stays - ✓ Medication and treatments - ✓ Diagnostic imaging (X-ray, ultrasound) - ✓ Emergency and after-hours care - ✓ Some plans cover annual check-ups ### Dog Liability Insurance - ✓ Bodily injury caused by your dog - ✓ Property damage caused by your dog - ✓ Legal defense costs - ✓ Damage while off-leash (most policies) - ✓ Coverage typically EUR 3-5 million - ✓ Covers dog walkers and pet sitters ### Usually NOT Covered - • Pre-existing conditions - • Routine vaccinations and deworming (basic plans) - • Breeding-related costs - • Cosmetic procedures - • Dental cleaning (unless on premium plan) ## How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost in Austria? Pet insurance costs vary based on the species, breed, age, and coverage level. Larger dog breeds and older pets are more expensive to insure. Here are typical monthly costs as of 2026: | Insurance Type | Dogs | Cats | | --- | --- | --- | | Health insurance (basic) | EUR 15-25/month | EUR 10-15/month | | Health insurance (premium) | EUR 30-40/month | EUR 20-25/month | | Dog liability | EUR 5-10/month | Not applicable | #### Insure Your Pet Early Premiums are significantly lower for younger pets, and there are no pre-existing condition exclusions when your pet is healthy. Enrolling a puppy or kitten can save hundreds of euros over the pet's lifetime. ## What Are the Differences Between Dog and Cat Insurance? Dog insurance is generally more expensive than cat insurance because dogs are more prone to injuries, larger breeds have higher vet costs, and dog liability insurance is an additional requirement. Dogs also need more coverage for conditions like hip dysplasia, ACL tears, and breed-specific health issues. Cat insurance is simpler and cheaper. Cats are less likely to cause third-party damage (no liability insurance needed), but they still benefit from health coverage for dental disease, kidney issues, and emergency surgeries. Indoor cats generally have lower premiums than outdoor cats due to reduced accident risk. #### Breed-Specific Pricing Some breeds cost more to insure due to known health issues. For dogs, breeds like French Bulldogs, German Shepherds, and Golden Retrievers typically have higher premiums. For cats, purebred cats like Persians and Maine Coons may cost more than mixed breeds. ## Related Guides [### Liability Insurance Personal liability coverage and Haushaltsversicherung for residents.](/insurance/liability-insurance)[### Health Insurance Public and private health insurance options for expats in Austria.](/insurance/health-insurance)[### Cost of Living Monthly expenses and budgeting tips for expats in Austria.](/living/cost-of-living) --- Source: https://www.how-to-austria.com/insurance/pet-insurance Last updated: Updated: May 19 2026 Format: LLM-readable Markdown twin (.md) of the canonical HTML page.