Digital healthcare in Austria
Key figures
9.2M
inhabitants
11.8%
of GDP devoted to healthcare in 2024
9
federal provinces (Länder)
An efficient coordination of a decentralized healthcare system
The Austrian health system is based on a division of responsibilities between the federal and the nine Länder scale. Funding is hybrid, combining public contributions and social health insurance (SHI) funds. Regulations are set by the Federal Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection (Bundesministerium für Arbeit, Soziales, Gesundheit, Pflege und Konsumentenschutz, BMASGK).
The Länder are responsible for ensuring the good functioning of hospitals for both inpatient and outpatient care services, at the exception of ambulatory (extramural) care, which is regulated by collective contracts between self-governing bodies of SHI providers, whose role is growing.
Austria promotes cooperation between governance levels, notably through the health system reforms of 2013, 2017, and 2023
The digital health sector projects to optimise Austrian public health
Austria was an early adopter of national infrastructure with the introduction of the electronic health insurance card (eCard) in 2005, enabling citizens to access healthcare services directly and obtain reimbursement.It also served as the basis for the national electronic health record system (ELGA), which enables the secure exchange of data (reports, prescriptions, imaging) via international standards (HL7 CDA, FHIR, IHE).
New digital applications are under development (parent-child-passport, patient summary, electronic living will, integrated care for patients with chronic diseases) and the integration of laboratory and imaging data is planned by 2028, in line with the future EHDS regulation.
Projects such as HealthData@AT and Extended EHR@EU support the primary and secondary use of data, while Austria is participating in the European eHDSI infrastructure to facilitate the secure exchange of cross-border health data.
These initiatives are part of National e-Health Strategy 2024, which sets out eight objectives and around 60 measures focused on digital access to healthcare, interoperability, citizen-centered solutions, and the secure use of health data for secondary purposes.
Gesundheit Österreich GmbH (GÖG), Austria's National Public Health Institute, actively supports the implementation and monitoring of the national strategy.
How do you access the Austrian market?
1. Set-up a business in 4 steps in Austria
When starting a business in Austria, it is mandatory to follow these 4 steps regardless of its legal form :
- Fill out your business declaration at the Chamber of Commerce in the correspondent Länder
- Get a trade license with the Austrian Business Service Portal
- File for social insurance coverage
- Receive your tax and VAT number from the Finance Ministry
For more information get in contact with Austrian Business Agency (ABA).
2. Get in touch with the Austrian Business Agency – Invest in Austria (ABA)
The Austrian Business Agency (ABA) helps free of charge investors and entrepreneurs to implement themselves in Austria with their start-up consultations. ABA offers services such as :
- business location search
- personnel recruitment
- analysis of data, facts and trends on Austria as a business
- support relating to labour and tax laws
- funding and financing possibilities
- organising contacts and networking
3. Get some support thanks to the New Companies Support Act
In order to set up a new business in Austria, it is mandatory to fill out the NeuFö2 form to declare its foundation. Thanks to this procedure, the business will be entitled to additional support for tax and/or fee exemptions. It is due to the New Companies Support Act, to help reduce the cost of starting a new business or acquiring a business.
4. Start an Austrian business online with e-start-up (USP – Business Service Portal)
The government Business Service Portal (USP) offers the possibility to build a start-up easily online with 5 steps on e-start-up:
- USP Registration (start-up account)
- Selecting the legal form
- Completing forms
- Set-up processes by the competent public authorities
- Finalising and launching the start-up
5. Get the verification with the relevant agencies to enter the market
Depending on the product promoted by the newly established business, some additional check-up might be mandatory. Here are the most relevant regulatory agencies in the digital health sector :
- The Austrian Federal Office for Safety in Health Care: is responsible for market surveillance for consumers, health professionals and companies
- The Austrian Medicines and Medical Devices Agency : is in charge of the safety and efficiency approval for drugs and medical devices
Government authorities and platforms
They ensure the good functioning of health policies and guide citizens through the health system
Associations and networks
They support and offer contact points in the national ecosystem
Innovation hubs and clusters
They bring together and facilitate the incubation of new technologies
Research institutes and universities
They offer training for professionals and are centres for the development of digital health