Austria is a must-visit destination, offering everything from the excitement of skiing the Tyrolean Alps to its rich musical history—think Mozart, Schubert and more.
Plus, for seasonal getaways, Austria is a must with Vienna transforming into a winter wonderland, filled with charming Christmas markets, twinkling lights and the mouthwatering scent of roasted chestnuts.
But even in a dream destination, things can sometimes go wrong, which is why getting travel insurance for your Austrian holiday could be a smart move.
If you're ready to compare policies, simply click 'get a quote.' But, if you want to learn more about the travel insurance you'll need first, we're here to help. Just keep reading!
Austria has an excellent healthcare system. So, you can rest easy knowing you'll be cared for if you need medical help.
Brits can use a Ghic or Ehic card here too. These grant you access to healthcare at the same cost as Austrian residents, which is fairly cheap.
While this is super handy, keep in mind—you'll still need to pay for healthcare if you're using a Ghic or Ehic, even if it's only at the same price the locals pay.
Neither of these cards will cover being flown home if you need treatment in the UK, either. So, while these cards are useful to take with you, it's important to remember they aren't a replacement for full travel insurance.
With the right policy, you'll be covered for various scenarios, including repatriation and the cost of medical treatment.
Top tip: If you have an emergency while in Austria, dial 112 for the emergency services.
Skiing is wildly popular in Austria. Believe it or not, 70 million skiers carve up the Austrian slopes each year!
If you're planning to join them, it's good to know that skiing is considered a high-risk activity by insurers. All this means is that it's an activity that's not usually covered by standard travel insurance.
But, don't worry—this doesn't mean you need to leave your ski boots at home! You'll just need to think about winter sports travel insurance, often called ski insurance, to make sure you're covered.
As well as medical costs if you’re injured while skiing, ski insurance can also cover:
Top tip: To compare policies with ski insurance included, select 'winter sports cover' when you're getting a quote.
Your medical bills could be covered if you need emergency treatment in Austria.
Travel insurance usually includes cancellation cover, which allows you to claim for things like cancelled flights.
Repatriation cover is typically included with travel insurance and can help with the cost of getting you home if you're too unwell to fly.
Baggage cover is usually included too and allows you to claim for items that are lost or damaged while you're away.
Most policies allow you to claim for the cost of your accommodation or missed flights if disruption leads to unforeseen issues.
If the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) warns against travelling to your destination, and you travel anyway, your insurance won't cover you while you're away.
Any issues that occur while you're intoxicated won't normally be covered by your insurer.
Events that you knew, or should have known, about before travelling won't be covered either.This includes things like ongoing natural disasters, or war.
Standard travel insurance doesn't usually cover high-risk activities. You'll need a policy add-on called adventure travel insurance to cover you for these.
If you change your mind about your holiday and decide to cancel it, your policy won't cover any claims for compensation.
If you’re planning to get particularly adventurous in Austria, you might need a policy add-on called adventure travel insurance.
This covers you for riskier activities that a standard policy might not cover.
It usually costs a little extra to add-on to your insurance, but it can cover things like rock climbing at Austria’s famous Salzburg and Innsbruck crags, long cycle trips down the EuroVelo 6 and high altitude hiking through the Ratikon Alps.
To get it, you’ll need to contact your insurer and ask to add it on to your policy.
You’ll also need to specify what activities you want cover for, to ensure you're fully covered in case of an emergency.
Travel insurance prices for Austria:
Solo traveller
£2.051
Couple
£4.052
Family
£4.903
Austria travel insurance could set you back as little of £2.05.
Just bear in mind that what you'll actually pay is based on things that are personal to you, like your age and medical history. So you might be quoted prices that are higher - or even lower - than this.
To see exactly what you could pay, get a quote now. It's quick, easy - and free!
1Lowest price for a single traveller, aged 30, with no health conditions, staying in Austria for 3 nights. Prices correct as of October 2024.
2Lowest price for a couple, both aged 30, with no health conditions staying in Austria for 3 nights. Prices correct as of October 2024.
3Lowest price for a family of two adults, both aged 30, and two children, both aged 5, with no health conditions staying in Austria for 3 nights. Prices correct as of October 2024.
Getting around Austria is a breeze!
The public transport system is top-notch, with buses, trains and trams connecting the country.
Trains are particularly popular for getting around, as many big cities have their own metro systems.
But, if public transport isn't your thing—cycling is popular, too! You'll be able to hop on a bike and see the sights at your own pace.
Austria has a law banning face coverings in public places, similar to other European countries like France.
This includes items like scarves, masks or veils that fully cover the face, and fines can be up to 150 euros.
There are some exceptions to this rule you can learn more on the Austria government website.
German is the official language, but you'll find English is widely spoken. So, no need to worry about a language barrier!
That said, it might be worth learning a few German phrases. 'Danke' means thank you, and 'Guten Tag' means hello. The locals will definitely appreciate the effort.
Tipping is a thing in Austria! The usual amount to give is around 10%. But, feel free to give more if you have a great experience or service. It's up to you!
Planning to do some shopping? Keep in mind that many shops in Austria close on Sundays. Although, bigger cities like Vienna may have some stores open.
If you're only in town for the weekend, it's a good idea to check ahead so you don't miss out on any must-visit shops!
Absolutely! Having a pre-existing medical condition shouldn't stop you from enjoying a holiday. So, you should find that you're able to find travel insurance without too much trouble. What a relief!
When you get a quote, just make sure you declare any medical conditions you have. This means your travel insurer can give you the right level of cover so you can enjoy your Austrian travels safely. Your policy might be a bit pricier because of this, but it's essential to be upfront from the get-go.
If you don't declare any pre-existing medical conditions you have, you'll run the risk of invalidating your policy. This means that if you need to make a claim related to your pre-existing condition while abroad, your insurer might not accept it. So, you could be left with some hefty medical bills to pay out of pocket.
Just a head's up—insurers might be unwilling to cover more serious medical conditions through travel insurance for pre-existing conditions. If this is the case for you, don't worry. You still have options! The Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) has a directory of travel providers that can cover more serious conditions.
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