End of health insurance for Ukrainians: What is important now!

End of health insurance for Ukrainians: What is important now!

Compulsory insurance for displaced people from Ukraine expired as planned at the end of May, which poses challenges for health care for many Ukrainians living in Austria. Loud South Tyrol News A six-week grace period applies until July 12th. During this period, those affected are still entitled to benefits in kind such as doctor's visits and medication.

Needy and working Ukrainians remain insured, while others, especially those without income or significant financial reserves, find themselves in a precarious situation. In order to ensure the necessary insurance during the transition phase, these people must find a permanent solution—either through employment subject to social security contributions or self-insurance.

Affected groups and primary care

A large proportion of the displaced people, including around 35,000 people, are not affected by the expiry of insurance because they already receive basic care. People who are already working in Austria are also covered by the insurance. This basic care is provided when living needs cannot be adequately met and no other support is available.

The expiry of health insurance primarily affects those people who have larger financial reserves and are not currently employed. However, all necessary medical services, including dental treatment and hospital stays, remain covered during the grace period. Waivers of prescription fees and other deductibles apply until the end of this period.

Paths to insurance and self-insurance

After July 12th, the above-mentioned exemptions and the insurance itself will no longer apply. Those particularly affected should prepare for the fact that their entitlement to childcare allowance and family allowance will also expire at the end of October. In order to promote the integration of more Ukrainians into the labor market, the government is also planning changes to the eligibility requirements.

The living situation of the people affected has a significant influence on the type of insurance they can take advantage of. If legal requirements are met, compulsory insurance occurs automatically when working. However, if you have an income below the marginal income threshold of 551.10 euros, there is no compulsory health and pension insurance, but only accident insurance. Part-time employees have the opportunity to apply for a prescription fee exemption.

Self-insurance is an option if you do not have your own health insurance and you live in Austria, the EU, the EEA or Switzerland. This begins after health insurance ends, provided the application is submitted to the ÖGK within six weeks. If the previous insurance periods are not met, the entitlement to benefits in kind can only begin after six months.

There are special self-insurance regulations for part-time employees and students. The monthly contribution for voluntary health insurance can be up to 526.79 euros (2025), although a reduction is possible. For students, the monthly fee is 73.48 euros (2025) and requires enrollment at an Austrian university.

Given these changes, it is important for all affected Ukrainians to take the necessary steps to ensure their health care in a timely manner. Information on basic care can be obtained from the responsible basic care office, as also on Austrian Health Insurance Fund described.