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VIENNA – Millions of people in Austria will notice an additional deduction on their November payslip or pension statement as the annual e-card service fee becomes due once again. The charge will increase to €26.85 in 2026, affecting not only employees but, for the first time, a large number of pensioners.
The fee becomes payable on 15 November 2026 and is generally deducted automatically from November salaries or pensions. No separate application or bank transfer is required.
Around 5.2 Million People Expected to Pay
According to estimates by Austria’s umbrella association of social insurance institutions, around 5.2 million people will be required to pay the e-card service fee this year. Additional groups of health insurance beneficiaries are also subject to the charge.
One of the most significant changes concerns pensioners. Many retirees will be required to pay the fee for the first time. For this group, the deduction will be made from the November pension payment, which is typically paid out at the beginning of December.
For employees, the system remains unchanged. Employers collect the service fee through payroll deductions and transfer the amount to the relevant health insurance provider.
Fee Has Nearly Doubled in Two Years
The cost of the e-card service fee has risen sharply in recent years.
In 2024, the fee stood at just €13.80. It was increased to €25.00 the following year as part of budgetary measures and will rise again to €26.85 in 2026.
As a result, the charge is now €13.05 higher than it was two years ago, representing an increase of approximately 95 percent.
The latest adjustment is based on Austria’s legally prescribed indexation mechanism, which determines annual increases through an official adjustment factor.
Who Is Exempt?
Not all insured persons are required to pay the fee.
According to the Austrian Health Insurance Fund (ÖGK), exemptions apply to several groups, including:
- Workers in marginal employment (“geringfügig Beschäftigte”);
- Employees receiving no income on the reference date, such as those on parental leave, military service, or civilian service;
- Employees who receive less than half of their normal salary from their employer due to extended incapacity for work.
Special rules also apply to individuals with multiple insurance arrangements. If the service fee is deducted more than once, affected persons can apply for a refund from their responsible health insurance provider.
Refunds may also be available in certain other cases, including for some individuals who are exempt from prescription charges.
What the Fee Pays For
The e-card service fee has existed since November 2005, when it was introduced to replace the former healthcare voucher charge. At that time, the fee was €10.
The payment is considered a flat-rate contribution toward Austria’s public health insurance system. According to social insurance authorities, all revenue generated from the fee is used to finance health insurance services and benefits.
With the higher charge coming into effect this November and more pensioners joining the group required to pay, millions of Austrians can expect to see the €26.85 deduction reflected in their salary or pension statements in the coming weeks.
- source: vienna.at/picture: canva.com
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