X-Ray Cost in Austria
What you actually pay under ÖGK public insurance and at private institutes. Last reviewed April 2026.
Quick Overview
Austria's public health system is administered mainly by ÖGK (Österreichische Gesundheitskasse) — which replaced the nine regional Gebietskrankenkassen (GKKs) in 2020 — plus smaller bodies for specific groups (BVAEB for civil servants, SVS for self-employed). Employees pay 3.87% of gross salary for health insurance; employers contribute 3.78%. Diagnostic X-rays are free at contracted Röntgeninstitute (radiology institutes) with a doctor's referral. Wahlarzt / private self-pay X-rays run €50–150 per view, with partial reimbursement.
🏥 ÖGK / Kassenarzt
- Contracted doctors + radiology institutes
- Referral (Überweisung) required
- No per-visit co-pay
- Wait times: days to weeks
🏥 Wahlarzt (Private)
- Self-pay per X-ray view
- Radiological first visit averages ~€268 in Vienna
- ÖGK reimburses roughly €30–50
- Same-day appointments typical
🩺 ÖGK contribution (2026)
- 3.87% employee + 3.78% employer
- Applied to salary up to annual contribution ceiling
- Self-employed via SVS — similar rate
- E-Card included in monthly fee (€13.80 in 2026)
Private Clinic X-Ray Prices
Austrian private radiology institutes in Vienna cluster in a similar price band; regional cities (Graz, Linz, Salzburg, Innsbruck) are often somewhat cheaper. The figures below are indicative self-pay prices as of April 2026.
| X-Ray Service | Wahlarzt / Private (EUR) | ÖGK / Kassenarzt |
|---|---|---|
| Chest (one or two views) | €50–100 | Free with referral |
| Limb / joint / hand / foot | €50–100 | Free with referral |
| Spine — single segment | €70–130 | Free with referral |
| Spine — full / multi-view | €130–200 | Free with referral |
| Abdomen | €60–120 | Free with referral |
| Pelvis / hip | €60–120 | Free with referral |
| Dental intraoral | €15–35 | Limited — dental scope |
| Dental panoramic (OPG) | €40–80 | Limited |
| CD/image copy fee | ~€23 | Usually free |
Indicative ranges. Prices vary by institute. Wahlarzt / radiological first visits average ~€268 in Vienna, with ÖGK reimbursing roughly €30–50. Always ask whether the provider has an ÖGK contract before booking.
How Austrian Public Insurance Works
Who is covered
- All employees (automatic ÖGK membership)
- Self-employed via SVS
- Civil servants via BVAEB
- Pensioners, students (mitversichert), dependents
- EU/EEA/Swiss visitors with EHIC
What it costs (2026)
- Employees: 3.87% of gross salary
- Employers: 3.78% additional
- Combined: 7.65% up to annual ceiling
- E-Card fee: €13.80 in 2026
- Self-insured: SVS rates for self-employed
How to get an X-ray
- See your GP (Hausarzt) for an Überweisung referral
- Book at an ÖGK-contracted Röntgeninstitut
- Bring your E-Card and photo ID
- Choose a Wahlarzt if you want faster access (self-pay + partial reimbursement)
Where to Get an X-Ray
🏥 Public / University Hospitals
- AKH Wien (Vienna General Hospital)
- Klinik Hietzing — Vienna
- LKH-Uniklinikum Graz
- Kepler Uniklinikum Linz
- Uniklinikum Salzburg
- Tirol Kliniken — Innsbruck
🏥 Radiology Institutes
- Diagnosezentrum Döbling — Vienna
- Diagnosezentrum Donaustadt — Vienna
- Radiology Center Vienna
- Bader-MR — Vienna
- Millennium Diagnostik — Vienna
- Regional Röntgeninstitute in each province
💡 Practical tips
- Check whether a radiology institute has an ÖGK contract before booking
- Wahlarzt = faster service, self-pay with partial ÖGK reimbursement
- Bring your ÖGK E-Card to every visit
- Regional institutes are typically cheaper than Vienna central
Guide by Patient Type
🇦🇹 Austrian residents
- Use ÖGK-contracted sites with referral — X-ray is free
- Wahlarzt (€50–150 + partial reimbursement) for speed
- E-Card is your proof of insurance — keep it current
- Private complementary insurance reimburses Wahlarzt supplements
🇪🇺 EU / EEA / Swiss visitors
- EHIC treats you like an Austrian insured patient
- Medically necessary imaging covered at contracted sites
- Present EHIC + passport at the facility
- Planned medical tourism is not EHIC-covered — self-pay
✈️ Non-EU visitors
- Self-pay at a Wahlarzt institute — €50–150 per X-ray
- Emergency care always provided
- Travel health insurance recommended
- Long-term residents must register with ÖGK or SVS
Practical Details
📋 What to bring
- Passport or Austrian ID
- E-Card (ÖGK / BVAEB / SVS) or EHIC
- GP referral (Überweisung)
- Prior imaging on CD/USB
- Cash or card for Wahlarzt
⏰ Typical wait times
- Emergency: immediate
- Kassenarzt routine: days to weeks
- Wahlarzt / private: same day to 1 week
- Results: 1–3 working days
💡 How to save money
- Use ÖGK-contracted institutes whenever possible
- Submit Wahlarzt receipts promptly for reimbursement
- Private complementary insurance can cover supplements
- Ask for a written quote before a Wahlarzt visit
FAQ
What's the difference between Kassenarzt and Wahlarzt?
Kassenarzt = contracted with ÖGK — you pay nothing beyond the annual E-Card fee. Wahlarzt = not contracted — you pay the full fee up front and submit the receipt to ÖGK for a partial reimbursement (typically €30–50 for an initial radiology visit).
How much is Austrian health insurance in 2026?
Combined health contribution is 7.65% of gross salary up to the annual ceiling — 3.87% employee + 3.78% employer. The annual E-Card service charge is €13.80 in 2026. Self-employed pay similar rates via SVS.
What's the GKK / ÖGK distinction?
Austria had nine regional GKK insurers (one per Bundesland) until 2020, when they merged into a single Österreichische Gesundheitskasse (ÖGK). Benefits and rules are unified now; older references to GKK refer to the same system.
Is the Wahlarzt route worth it?
If waiting times at Kassen institutes are long and you need faster access, yes. You'll pay €50–150 out of pocket and get roughly €30–50 back from ÖGK. Private complementary insurance can bridge the gap.
Can I use EHIC in Austria?
Yes. EHIC treats you as an Austrian insured patient at ÖGK-contracted sites. Medically necessary imaging is covered. Planned medical tourism is not EHIC-covered — expect Wahlarzt rates.
How long is the wait for an X-ray in Vienna?
Kassen institutes: often 1–3 weeks for routine imaging, but variable by speciality. Wahlarzt: typically same day or next day. Emergencies are imaged immediately at hospital EDs.
Compare X-Ray Costs Across Countries
Sources
- ÖGK (Österreichische Gesundheitskasse) — coverage rules and contribution rates
- Wahlarzt-Kosten-Report 2026 — average private radiology first-visit fees in Austria
- Gesundheit.gv.at — Wahlarzt/Kassenarzt official explainer
- Private radiology institute references (Döbling, Donaustadt, Bader-MR)
Last reviewed: April 2026. Prices and contribution rates change — confirm with provider.