Affordability of Private Health Care Often Limited

Private health provision is important for many Austrians, but its affordability is often limited. According to a survey by UNIQA, only 16 percent of all respondents can fully pay for all the health services and products that are important to them. More than a third (38 percent) say they cannot do this according to their own assessment. The willingness to pay for private health insurance averages 54 euros per month.

The Financial Provision Study 2025 was conducted on behalf of UNIQA by Reppublika Research & Analytics. In June and July 2025, a total of 3,262 people in Austria between the ages of 16 and 60 were surveyed online. This year, a special focus was placed on the topic of health provision.

Private Doctor and Preventive Examinations

"Almost half of the respondents would like to do more for their health," said Martina Zöchner, Senior Research Consultant at Reppublika on Monday, October 20. It is particularly important to the respondents that they can currently afford a private doctor (60 percent) and comprehensive preventive examinations (55 percent). The affordability of these services in the future is also important for many.

Currently, however, only 16 percent can fully afford all the services, products, and offerings related to health that are important to them. In contrast, 38 percent say they rather cannot or cannot at all. Nevertheless, the amount that respondents would be willing to pay for private health insurance has increased. On average, respondents would be willing to pay 54 euros per month for private health provision, compared to only 46.10 euros last year. Younger people (up to 29 years) are even willing to pay an average of 60.30 euros per month for private health insurance.

Private Health Insurance Not Uncommon

With such amounts, the first health insurance products are already affordable, said René Knapp, UNIQA board member for personal insurance. UNIQA is trying to reach customers with more granular products - for example, a separate tariff only for the use of private doctors - to enable better affordability. However, private health insurance has "arrived in the middle of society," according to Knapp. Around 3.6 million people in Austria have private health insurance.

Around half of all respondents rate their knowledge of health provision as very or rather high. Regarding financial provision, only 31 percent rate their knowledge as very or rather high. However, the affordability of health is a motivator for many to further expand their knowledge. Around 50 percent of respondents say they want to acquire more knowledge about financial provision to have reserves for good health care and to be financially secure for possible longer illnesses.

(APA/Red)

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