Austria Health Exam Requirements 2026 — No Mandatory Pre-Entry Medical, e-Card, ÖGK Coverage

No. Austria does not require a mandatory pre-entry medical examination as part of the Red-White-Red Card application. The health-related requirement is proof of comprehensive health insurance covering all risks in Austria — a statutory condition under §11(2) NAG. Employed applicants satisfy this automatically once their employer registers them with ÖGK within three days of employment start. Self-employed applicants must arrange and demonstrate ÖGK or private insurance before the permit is issued. No panel physician appointment, no chest X-ray, and no immigration medical form are required.

No, not as a standard immigration requirement. Austria does not mandate TB chest X-rays or tuberculosis testing as part of the application process for Red-White-Red Cards, EU Blue Cards, Niederlassungsbewilligungen, or Schengen visas for applicants from any nationality. Public health authorities (Gesundheitsamt) may conduct TB screening in specific public health contexts — such as close contacts of confirmed TB cases in schools or workplaces — but this is a public health measure, not an immigration requirement. This distinguishes Austria from the UK and Australia, where TB screening is mandatory for applicants from listed high-prevalence countries.

If you are employed: your employer is legally required to register you with ÖGK via the ELDA electronic system within three days of your employment start date. Insurance coverage begins from day one of employment, even before the physical e-Card arrives. If you are self-employed: register directly with ÖGK within one month of starting activity; coverage begins on registration. If you are on a Niederlassungsbewilligung (non-employment): you must hold private comprehensive health insurance before the permit is issued. The ÖGK covers GP visits, specialists, hospital stays, and prescription medicines at negligible co-payment.

The Vorsorgeuntersuchung is a free annual preventive health examination available to all ÖGK-insured persons aged 18 and over. It covers cardiovascular risk factors (blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose), body weight assessment, and cancer screening elements (e.g. bowel cancer screening for over-50s). To access it, present your e-Card at a GP or specialist that is contracted for the Vorsorgeuntersuchung — search the list on gesundheitskasse.at. It is not available to persons with private insurance only; it is an ÖGK statutory benefit. There is no residency waiting period — you can access it from the first day your ÖGK coverage is active.

For a Schengen short-stay visa (Type C), you must demonstrate travel/health insurance valid across all Schengen member states with a minimum coverage of €30,000 for medical emergencies and repatriation. The policy must be valid for the entire intended stay. This is an EU Visa Code requirement, not specific to Austria. Annual multi-trip travel insurance policies from Austrian or international insurers are accepted. The insurance certificate must be presented at the Austrian embassy when submitting the visa application.

ELGA participation is automatic for all ÖGK-insured persons. Your electronic health record is created when you first access Austrian healthcare with your e-Card. Authorised treating physicians can access your records (lab results, discharge letters, prescriptions, radiology reports). To opt out of ELGA participation, submit a written opt-out to gesundheit.gv.at or at your Krankenkasse. You can also opt out partially — e.g. excluding specific document types. Opting out does not affect your ÖGK insurance coverage or access to healthcare.