Study Finds Thousands of Austrians Lack Health Insurance Coverage
A new study commissioned by the ÖGK reveals that several thousand people in Austria are without any health insurance, despite the country's universal system.
A study ordered by the Gesundheitskasse (ÖGK) and released on Wednesday highlights that a notable number of Austrians remain uninsured despite the country's comprehensive health coverage. Administrative data show that in 2025 the AmberMed health centre in Vienna served 2,697 uninsured individuals, the Marienambulanz in Graz assisted 2,221, and the Virgilambulanz in Salzburg recorded 96 cases. Researchers Martin Schenk of Diakonie Österreich and Michael Fuchs of the European Centre for Welfare Policy & Social Research explain that people in precarious employment, mental health crises, job seekers without benefits, students, returnees from abroad and those who forgo social assistance are most affected.
The study also notes delayed medical help-seeking, with 28 % waiting at least three months and 19 % waiting a year after symptoms appear. Volunteers at AmberMed and similar emergency clinics provide free care, underscoring the reliance on charitable support to fill systemic gaps.
Why it matters
Uninsured individuals risk worsening health and higher societal costs, highlighting gaps in Austria's universal care system.
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