Austria's Social Welfare System: Overview
Austria runs an insurance-based system. If you work as an employee and earn more than the marginal-earnings threshold (Geringfügigkeitsgrenze, €551.10 a month in 2026), you are compulsorily insured for health, accident, pension and unemployment. Your employer registers you, and the Austrian Health Insurance Fund (Österreichische Gesundheitskasse, ÖGK) collects all contributions and passes them on. In 2026 an employee pays about 18.07% of gross pay and the employer about 22.51%, up to a maximum contribution base of €6,930 a month. Below the threshold you are only insured against accidents at work. Family benefits are paid from federal funds by the tax office (Finanzamt Österreich). Social assistance and housing aid are run by the nine Länder, so the rules differ from one Land to another. Where a Land example is needed, these pages use Vienna.
First registrations for newcomers:
- Residence registration (Meldezettel): register at the registration office within 3 days of moving into a home. Failing to do so can cost a fine of up to €726.
- Residence status: EEA and Swiss citizens staying longer than 3 months apply for a registration certificate (Anmeldebescheinigung) within 4 months of arrival. Third-country nationals need a residence title (Aufenthaltstitel).
- Social insurance: after registration you receive a social insurance number and an e-card (service fee €25 for 2026). The ID Austria digital identity gives you access to online services such as your pension account.
The nine areas at a glance
- Health: compulsory ÖGK insurance; contribution 7.65% of pay, shared with your employer; prescription fee €7.55 per pack (2026).
- Pension: pay-as-you-go state pension; contribution 22.8%; pension age 65 (rising step by step for women); at least 15 insurance years.
- Unemployment: Arbeitslosengeld of 55% of previous net income for 20 to 52 weeks, then Notstandshilfe.
- Family: Familienbeihilfe of €138.40 to €200.40 per child per month plus a Kinderabsetzbetrag of €70.90 (2026).
- Tax: progressive income tax from 0% to 55%; the first €13,539 is tax-free (2026).
- Housing: rent law (MRG) protects many tenants; a deposit of 3 months' gross rent is usual; Land housing allowance.
- Education: 9 years of compulsory school from age 6, a compulsory free kindergarten year at 5, and education or training until 18.
- Parental: 8 weeks of maternity protection before and after birth with Wochengeld, childcare allowance, and parental leave until the child turns 2.
Things to watch
- Third-country nationals generally receive social assistance only after more than 5 years of lawful residence. Vienna's housing allowance has a similar rule.
- Since 1 January 2026, people on unemployment benefit may keep a marginal job only in a few exceptions.
- Most amounts are adjusted every year. Check the current figures before you apply.
Official guidance: oesterreich.gv.at, ÖGK: social insurance contributions, Social insurance: values 2026, Registration duty for third-country nationals