In case of emergency
- Ambulance (144)
- Euro emergency call (112)
- Police (133)
- Fire department (122)
- Mountain rescue (140)
Hospitals
If you feel ill, you first go to a general practitioner ("Hausarzt/Hausärztin") - only in an emergency or if it is life-threatening the hospitals are in charge.
The LKH-Universitätsklinikum Graz is located very close to the University of Graz at Auenbruggerplatz 1, 8010 Graz. There are other private hospitals in Graz and other locations of public hospitals, for more information see the website of Styrian hospitals.
How to find a doctor
You can search for doctors in the portal of the Medical Association. You can filter for example by health insurance provider, or foreign language skills in the practice.
In Austria, you choose a general practitioner as your family doctor ("Hausarzt/Hausärztin"). If you feel ill, go to your general practitioner first - we recommend that the practice of the doctor is not too far from your accommodation to ensure you can reach it also when you're ill.
Pharmacies
When a doctor writes a prescription for a medication, you receive it at the pharmacy and pay only the prescription fee (2023: 6.85 euros per medication). If you purchase medication during the pharmacy on-call service, additional costs will apply.
On-call and emergency services
In urgent medical situations, you can use the on-call and emergency services. They are available at night and on weekends.
- Ärztenotruf Graz, Thal, Stattegg, Kainbach: call 141 between 19:00-08:00 on weekdays; Saturday, Sunday and holidays all day.
- Pharmacies emergency service
- Dental emergency service
Mental health
In an acute mental crisis, please call the ambulance (144) or police (133). If you need support, you can contact your general pracitioner or psychiatrist, psychologist or psychotherapist directly. You can also find psychiatrists using the doctor search.
Students can also contact the following services for psychological support:
www.studierendenberatung.at (waiting time for appointment approx. 3 months).
Counseling for students with psychological needs
Uni Graz staff can use the counseling service for staff.
Tap water
You can drink water from the tap, it has drinking water quality.
Vaccinations
There is no obligation to be vaccinated in Austria. You should bring proof of vaccination from your home country to Austria, if available. If you are in Graz in spring and summer, a TBE (tick-borne encephalitis) vaccination is recommended. This disease can be fatal and is transmitted by ticks. For a comprehensive protection you need two vaccinations. You can get vaccinated in Graz at a low cost during the city's vaccination campaign.
Health insurance
Students and researchers living in Austria must have health insurance. The Austrian health care system offers excellent health care.
What is covered by the insurance?
This basically depends on the insurance. Basic care (preventive examinations, visits to doctors, hospitalization in the general fee category, etc.) is provided if you are covered by social health insurance. Some treatments must be paid for privately, such as dental fillings and implants or glasses/contact lenses. Under certain circumstances, psychotherapy costs are covered by insurance. Please inquire directly with the insurance company what's included and excluded.
Uni Graz staff
Staff members are registered for social security the University of Graz when they earn more than a certain monthly income (approx. 500€ per month). The social insurance includes, among other things, health insurance with the BVAEB. Family members living in the same household can be co-insured.
We have compiled an information sheet on how to use it and the first steps, which we will be happy to send you after you have registered for our welcome services.
Students from the EU
Students must independently conclude a suitable health insurance for their stay in Austria.
To begin with, you should clarify with your health insurance provider in your country of origin/home country (within the EU) whether the insurance can remain valid during your studies in Austria. It must be clear that you can also use your insurance in Austria. If using your insurance in Austria is possible, you need to bring the relevant confirmations (for example European Health Insurance Card, various forms,...) to Graz. Alternatively, you can also take out public or private health insurance in Austria.
The ÖGK self-insurance for students (public health insurance) costs about 67€ per month. You can take out insurance with ÖGK after arrival and successful enrollment in a study programme with the necessary documents Further information
There are also private insurances for students, some of which can be purchased online, such as: www.feelsafe.at or www.care-concept.at
Important: If you have pre-existing medical conditions, it is often not possible to purchase private health insurance. Please contact us if you need assistance.
Students from non-EU countries
Students must independently conclude a suitable health insurance for their stay in Austria.
Third-country nationals must fulfill the insurance requirements for the visa or residence title in Austria.
- Visa (=up to 180 days stay): You need a Schengen travel health insurance valid in Austria with a coverage amount significantly higher than 30,000€
Find more information here. - Residence permit (=more than 180 days stay): you must prove a health insurance that covers all risks in Austria and is equal to Austrian social security coverage. This usually requires taking out an Austrian insurance policy (private or public) Find more information here.
There are also private insurances for students, some of which can be taken out online, such as: www.feelsafe.at or www.care-concept.at
Important: If you have pre-existing medical conditions, it is often not possible to purchase private health insurance. Please contact us if you need assistance in this regard.
Guest researchers from the EU
Guest researchers have to take care of health insurance independently.
To begin with, you should clarify with your health insurance provider in your country of origin/home country (within the EU) whether the insurance can remain valid during your research stay in Austria. It must be clear that you can also use your insurance in Austria. If using your insurance in Austria is possible, you need to bring the relevant confirmations (for example European Health Insurance Card, various forms,...) to Graz. Alternatively, you can also take out public or private health insurance in Austria.
If you were insured in the EU immediately before your stay in Graz and can prove this, voluntary self-insurance in the ÖGK health insurance scheme may be possible.
Guest researchers from non-EU countries
Guest researchers have to take care of health insurance independently.
Third-country nationals must fulfill the insurance requirements for the visa or residence title in Austria:
- Visa (=up to 180 days stay): You need a Schengen travel health insurance valid in Austria with a coverage amount significantly higher than 30,000€ Find more information here.
- Residence permit (=from 180 days stay): you must prove a health insurance that covers all risks in Austria and is equal to Austrian social security coverage. This usually requires taking out an Austrian insurance policy (private or public) Find more information here. The costs of private insurances depend on the duration of stay and the age of the insured person.
There are also private insurances available that fulfill the residence permit requirements. Two can be purchased online: www.feelsafe.at or www.care-concept.at
Important: If you have pre-existing medical conditions, it is often not possible to purchase private health insurance. Please contact us if you need assistance.
Other insurances
Accident and liability insurance
Uni Graz staff members are insured against accidents and liability at work on the basis of their employment.
Students are also insured via payment of the student union fee ("ÖH-Beitrag") for study-related stays/activities. Further information
Guest researchers are covered by accident and liability insurance for the duration of their activities upon conclusion of a guest researcher agreement.
These insurances do not apply to private insured events in the household, during leisure time or in road traffic.
Household insurance
Taking out a household insurance is usually not mandatory. It covers, for example, damage to furnishings caused by water damage. If you would like to take out household insurance, we recommend comparing prices before signing the contract. In most cases, the monthly costs amount to 10-30 euros.
Motor vehicle liability insurance
If you come to Austria by car and establish a residence, you must re-register the car within 4 weeks. For this purpose, you must also take out motor vehicle liability insurance by law. Further information