Starting June 1, 2026, doctor visits have become significantly more expensive for hundreds of thousands of people in Austria, after a key public-sector health insurer doubled its patient co-payment, according to 5 Minuten.
The Insurance Institution for Public Employees, Railways and Mining (BVAEB) raised the “treatment contribution” from 10 percent to 20 percent, meaning insured individuals must now cover a larger share of their medical costs. According to the Austrian Senior Citizens’ Association, around 1.3 million people are affected by the change, many of whom learned about it only shortly before it took effect.
The increase applies to doctor visits and other medical services, adding to financial pressure at a time when many households are already struggling with rising living costs. Critics warn that the measure will hit older people particularly hard, as they generally require more frequent medical care.
Ingrid Korosec, president of the Senior Citizens’ Association, strongly condemned the move, calling it “outrageous.” She argued that people over 50 are being unfairly burdened, noting that older workers and retirees often have higher healthcare needs. “At a time of general inflation, this is an enormous and unreasonable additional financial strain,” she said.
The Pensioners’ Association of Austria (PVÖ) also voiced sharp criticism. Its president, Birgit Gerstorfer, said pensioners have already made an above-average contribution to funding the healthcare system in recent years. She described the increase as “another wave of financial pressure” on older citizens and called for an immediate rethink.
Gerstorfer also criticized the lack of transparency surrounding the decision, saying there was insufficient notice and communication. She urged policymakers and insurers to find more socially balanced solutions to stabilize healthcare budgets, rather than placing the burden on vulnerable groups.
