12 May 2025
Understanding how health insurance works in Austria is crucial for every Filipino worker trying to make the most of their earnings. Whether you’re a caregiver, a construction worker, or a student with part-time employment, tracking your monthly deductions can help you stay in control of your finances and send money home more efficiently. If you're working hard in Austria and planning to send money to Philippines from Austria, knowing where your money goes each month is the first step to making smart financial decisions.
Every employee working legally in Austria is automatically enrolled in statutory health insurance (Krankenversicherung), which comes with mandatory deductions. In Austria, healthcare is mostly public and funded through social security contributions. As a Filipino worker, you are likely part of the General Social Insurance Act (ASVG) system. This insurance not only covers medical treatment but also includes accident, pension, and unemployment benefits, making it essential for long-term protection. Contributions are deducted directly from your gross salary before it reaches your bank account, which means you might not even notice the amounts unless you’re checking your pay slip.
Your gross income, employment type, and insurance provider affect how much is deducted monthly for health insurance in Austria. Typically, the total contribution rate is around 7.65% of your gross monthly income. This amount is shared between the employer and the employee, meaning you’ll usually pay around 3.87%, while your employer pays the rest. This percentage might increase slightly depending on whether you have dependents or special coverage plans.
In addition to health insurance, other contributions include pension insurance (approximately 22.8%), unemployment insurance (6%), and accident insurance (1.3%). Although these seem high, they secure your future, medical access, and even legal entitlements like sick leave and parental leave.
Most full-time and part-time Filipino workers, students, and self-employed individuals are required to contribute to health insurance.
Whether you're working under a seasonal contract or have a permanent residence permit, as long as you're earning in Austria, you're required by law to participate in the system. Even those working in domestic services or as au pairs fall under the insurance requirement if they meet income thresholds. If your monthly income exceeds €518.44 (as of 2025), you’re obliged to register and contribute.
International students from the Philippines working part-time must be extra careful. If their income exceeds the marginal employment limit, they are subject to full deductions, which may affect how much they can send money to Philippines online from Austria each month.
Yes, but only under specific circumstances, and even then, you might still pay into the public system unless fully exempt.
While private insurance is available in Austria, it's usually supplemental and cannot replace the public mandatory insurance for salaried workers. You can only rely fully on private insurance if you're self-employed or a freelancer and have opted out of the public scheme (which is a complex process). If you’re employed under a company or organization, you'll still need to pay your share into the public system regardless of additional coverage.
If you're considering switching or supplementing your plan, always check with the official Austrian Health Insurance Fund (ÖGK) or consult with your employer’s HR department.
Monitoring your monthly deductions helps you understand your actual earnings and ensure no overcharges are made.
Your Austrian pay slip (Lohnzettel) includes a detailed breakdown of all deductions. Here are key areas Filipino workers should regularly track:
If you're unsure about interpreting your pay slip, don't hesitate to ask your employer or a legal aid organization. Staying informed about these figures helps you budget better.
Yes, depending on your income and residency status, you might qualify for reduced rates or exemptions.
For example, low-income workers may be eligible for contribution subsidies (Beitragszuschuss) under the General Social Insurance Act. Certain groups like students, asylum seekers, or people with disabilities might qualify for waived or reduced contributions. However, these benefits are usually subject to strict criteria and may vary between Austrian federal states.
You can explore available exemptions by consulting with the Austrian Chamber of Labour (Arbeiterkammer) or through your regional insurance office.
Being aware of your health insurance deductions can help you manage remittances more efficiently.
Let’s say your monthly gross income is €2,000. After standard deductions (roughly 18-20% combined), you’ll be left with around €1,600. If you plan to save €400 and make an online money transfer from Austria to Philippines every month, knowing your exact take-home pay is essential. Ignoring your deductions might leave you short on your savings or unable to send the desired amount back home.
To manage your remittance smartly:
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Choosing the right remittance service ensures that your hard-earned money reaches the Philippines with minimal charges and maximum value.
Instead of relying on costly traditional methods, modern digital services offer faster, more affordable options. ACE Money Transfer provides reliable solutions to send money to Philippines online from Austria with excellent exchange rates and low service charges. Its user-friendly platform ensures quick transactions with strong security, so you don’t have to worry about delays or hidden fees.
Understanding Austria’s mandatory health insurance system is key to staying financially healthy while supporting your loved ones back home. From understanding what portion of your salary goes to social security to planning your monthly budget smartly, Filipino workers can make better decisions when they track their deductions.
If you're regularly working in Austria and hoping to send money to Philippines from Austria, being aware of these monthly charges can help you avoid unpleasant surprises and reach your financial goals faster. For hassle-free and secure remittances, choose ACE Money Transfer—trusted by thousands for fast transactions and top-rated services. Don’t let hidden charges disrupt your plans.
Mandatory health insurance typically covers medical, dental, and hospitalization services, and it's part of a broader social security deduction that also includes pension and unemployment contributions.
If they earn below the marginal employment limit, they might be exempt, but any income above that will subject them to standard social insurance deductions.
You can review your monthly pay slips or register on the ÖGK portal to track all your contributions and see your insurance status.
Yes, knowing your net income after deductions helps you calculate how much you can remit without compromising your monthly needs.
ACE Money Transfer offers low-cost and fast transactions with excellent exchange rates, helping you make the most of your income while supporting your family in the Philippines.
