World Country Guide

Food & drink
Milk is pasteurised and dairy products are safe for consumption. Local meat, poultry, seafood, fruit and vegetables are generally safe to eat.

Other risks
Ticks often live in heavily forested areas during the summer months in some of the more easterly parts of Austria and can create discomfort and, in very rare cases, serious infection to people who are bitten. Immunisation against tick-borne encephalitis is endemic and travellers likely to find themselves in wooded areas from spring to autumn should take a course of injections.
Rabies is present in Austria, although there have been no incidents reported in recent years. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten seek medical advice without delay. For more information, consult the Health appendix.

Health care

European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland:
If you or any of your dependants are suddenly taken ill or have an accident during a visit to an EEA country or Switzerland, free or reduced-cost necessary treatment is available – in most cases on production of a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Each country has different rules about state medical provision. In some, treatment is free. In many countries you will have to pay part or all of the cost, and then claim a full or partial refund. The EHIC gives access to state-provided medical treatment only and the scheme gives no entitlement to medical repatriation costs, nor does it cover ongoing illnesses of a non-urgent nature, so comprehensive travel insurance is advised. Note that the EHIC replaces the Form E111, which will no longer be valid after 31 December 2005. Some restrictions apply, depending on your nationality.
The Regional Health Insurance Office (Gebietskrankenkasse) will give you a list of doctors working under the state scheme. If you use a private doctor you will be charged but may be entitled to a partial refund. The following emergency numbers are used: Police: 133; Ambulance: 144. Fire: 122.
You can get prescribed drugs from any pharmacy but you will be charged a fixed amount.
You are covered for both out-patient and in-patient treatment in hospitals, but you need a doctor’s referral. There is a non-refundable daily charge for the first 28 days in hospital. If you are treated privately, whether at your own request or because of an emergency, you may be entitled to a refund from the Gebietskrankenkasse, which vary from hospital to hospital.
The Gebietskrankenkasse handles reimbursements. To claim money back,? send original receipts with your claim. Keep copies of anything you send for your records.
More information ca be obtained from the Gebietskrankenkasse responsible for the area where you are staying.