#budget #reform #insurance #public transport

Austria revives co-payments for non-urgent patient transports to cut costs

Christina Sanchez•

03.03.2026• 1 Min.

An ambulance drives down a street next to a red double-decker bus, with people walking on the footpath to the right and buildings in the background.

Austria revives co-payments for non-urgent patient transports to cut costs

Austria's Health Insurance Fund (ÖGK) has reintroduced co-payments for non-urgent medical transports. Since the change, around 84,000 invoices have been sent to patients. The move aims to reduce unnecessary journeys and cut rising costs in the transportation sector.

The ÖGK brought back the charges earlier this year after a period without them. Patients now face fees ranging from €7.55 to €150 for non-urgent trips. Emergency services, as well as transports for chemotherapy or dialysis, remain free.

The reinstatement has already generated €3.5 million in extra revenue. Officials also report a slight drop in the overall number of medical transports. However, detailed figures for non-urgent journeys in 2018 are not available.

State spending on rescue and patient transportation has climbed sharply in recent years. Costs rose from €419 million in 2018 to over €600 million by 2024. The ÖGK has not specified how much of this increase relates to non-urgent cases.

The co-payment policy is now in full effect, with thousands of patients receiving bills. The scheme has brought in millions while reducing some demand for transportation services. Emergency and critical treatments continue without extra charges.

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