E-card to become much more expensive—but not for everyone

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E-card fee to rise to €25 from November 2025. Not everyone will pay more: exceptions for those in need and pensioners explained.

In November 2025, things will become more expensive again for many Austrians: the fee for the e-card will also rise sharply, from around €13.80 to a whopping €25. This corresponds to an increase of around 80 percent.

According to the Chamber of Labor, the so-called service fee for 2026 will be collected on November 15—either directly from the employer or from the contribution-paying agency, such as the Public Employment Service (AMS).

“The service fee for the e-card for 2026 is due in November 2025. The fee of €25 will be collected by the employer or the contribution-paying agency on November 15 each year,” the Chamber of Labor announced.

However, there are exceptions: those who are particularly vulnerable and are therefore exempt from prescription fees, for example, do not have to pay the e-card fee either.

The following, among others, are exempt from the fee:

▶ Co-insured spouses, partners, and children

▶ Pensioners

▶ Conscripts, those performing community service, and asylum seekers receiving basic benefits.

▶ In addition, all those who are exempt from prescription fees due to their social vulnerability.

By the way, an application for exemption from the prescription fee is always also considered an application for exemption from the e-card fee. And vice versa.

The E-card is valid for all contracted doctors in Austria. According to the Chamber of Labor, the back of the E-card (European Health Insurance Card) is valid for contracted partners and contracted hospitals in all EU countries, Iceland, North Macedonia, Norway, Liechtenstein, Cyprus (Greek part), Great Britain, and Switzerland.

“The European Health Insurance Card is also valid in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia, and Montenegro. However, before receiving treatment, you must obtain a certificate of entitlement (”treatment certificate“) from the local social security institution,” according to the Chamber of Labor.

For trips to Turkey, you must still apply for a bilateral foreign care certificate from your employer or the ÖGK. Before treatment, you must exchange this certificate for a treatment certificate from the Turkish health insurance provider.