Health & care

Get your first e-card

Official name: Get your first e-card and social insurance number

The e-card is your card for the doctor in Austria. You get it when you have health insurance. Here you see how you get insured, when the card comes and what to do without a card.

Check what applies to me

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Steps: 7 key steps, up to 16 depending on your situation
For you: 5 short questions, then you see your steps
Main office: Österreichische Gesundheitskasse (ÖGK)
Costs: none named in the sources
Online: possible for 1 of 16 steps

How it works

These are the key steps, in the right order. Answer the short questions; then you see exactly what applies to you and what is added.

Get the copy of your registrationIf you are employed, your employer registers you with the ÖGK health insurer. This happens before you start work.Key step
Why?
The registration makes you insured. The copy shows you that it is done.
What you do
Ask your employer for the copy and for your social insurance number. Keep the copy safe.
Where?
Employer / Österreichische Gesundheitskasse (ÖGK)Directly with the named service
What you need
- Copy of your social insurance registration
  Document explained
  You get it from your employer. Keep it safe.
  Requirement
  Required when applicable
  Submission format
  Copy
  Translation
  No specific rule recorded; clarify foreign-language records with the service.
  Authentication
  No specific rule recorded; clarify need before obtaining records.
  Recency
  No fixed age limit recorded; clarify currency with the service.
  SourceAnmeldung von Beschäftigten
  Anmeldung von Beschäftigten
  Österreichische Gesundheitskasse · retrieved on 17/10/2026
  Open original source
Related plansStart a new job Marginal employment: sort out insurance
In detail
Ask your employer for a copy of your registration
Your employer registers you with the Austrian Health Insurance Fund (ÖGK) before you start work. After that they must give you a copy of the registration straight away. You are insured from the start of your work. They must also tell you your social insurance number.
SourceAnmeldung von Beschäftigten
Anmeldung von Beschäftigten
Österreichische Gesundheitskasse · retrieved on 17/10/2026
Open original source
Ask the ÖGK how you are insuredThere are more ways to be insured, for example in retirement or in the asylum procedure.Key step
Why?
Once you know your route, you know who sends your e-card.
What you do
Call the ÖGK customer service or go there and ask.
Where?
Österreichische Gesundheitskasse (ÖGK)Directly with the named service
In detail
Ask the ÖGK how you are insured
Other groups are also insured with the ÖGK, for example pensioners, people in the asylum procedure or people receiving minimum income support. If you do not know how you are insured, ask the ÖGK customer service.
SourcePflichtversicherung: Wer ist bei der ÖGK pflichtversichert?
Pflichtversicherung: Wer ist bei der ÖGK pflichtversichert?
Österreichische Gesundheitskasse · retrieved on 17/10/2026
Open original source
Find out your social insurance numberThe social insurance number is a number with 10 digits. It belongs only to you.Key step
Why?
With the number you can already see a doctor, even before the card arrives.
What you do
Your employer tells you. Otherwise ask the ÖGK. Write it down somewhere safe, not in this plan.
Where?
Employer / Österreichische Gesundheitskasse (ÖGK)Directly with the named service
What you need
- Passport or birth certificate
  Document explained
  The ÖGK names a birth certificate or passport as proof, and a marriage certificate if needed.
  Requirement
  Check for your case
  Submission format
  Clarify format with the service
  Translation
  No specific rule recorded; clarify foreign-language records with the service.
  Authentication
  No specific rule recorded; clarify need before obtaining records.
  Recency
  No fixed age limit recorded; clarify currency with the service.
  SourceVersicherungsnummer (Sozialversicherungsnummer)
  Versicherungsnummer (Sozialversicherungsnummer)
  Österreichische Gesundheitskasse · retrieved on 17/10/2026
  Open original source
Related plansGet your insurance record statement
In detail
Find out your social insurance number
The social insurance number has 10 digits and is issued by the ÖGK. When you start work, your employer requests it and tells you. It is also requested for co-insurance or voluntary insurance. Otherwise ask the ÖGK. Write the number down somewhere safe, not in this plan.
SourceVersicherungsnummer (Sozialversicherungsnummer)
Versicherungsnummer (Sozialversicherungsnummer)
Österreichische Gesundheitskasse · retrieved on 17/10/2026
Open original source
Make sure the post can find youThe e-card comes by post to the address where you are registered.Key step
Why?
Without the right address the card does not reach you.
What you do
Register your place of residence. If your employer gave an address abroad, call the ÖGK.
Where?
Meldeservice / Österreichische Gesundheitskasse (ÖGK)Directly with the named service
Related plansNew in Vienna
In detail
Make sure the e-card can reach you by post
The e-card is sent automatically by post to your registered address. Register your place of residence. If your employer gave an address abroad, contact the ÖGK so the card still reaches you.
Sourcee-card und Europäische Krankenversicherungskarte
e-card und Europäische Krankenversicherungskarte
Österreichische Gesundheitskasse · retrieved on 17/10/2026
Open original source
Check if your photo is already on fileFrom age 14 the e-card has a photo. The social insurance often takes the photo from an Austrian ID.Key step
Why?
Without a photo there is no card. If the photo is already there, you do not need to do anything.
What you do
Do the photo check on chipkarte.at. There you see if a photo is on file.
Where?
Sozialversicherung (chipkarte.at)Directly with the named service
In detail
Use the photo check to see if your photo is on file
From age 14 the e-card is only issued with a photo. The photo is usually taken over automatically: from an Austrian passport, identity card, ID Austria, card-format driving licence or a document from the register of foreign nationals. chipkarte.at offers a photo check. Exceptions apply to people aged 70 and over and care levels 4 to 7.
SourceIch habe keine e-card
Ich habe keine e-card
Sozialversicherungs-Chipkarten Betriebs- und Errichtungsgesellschaft · chipkarte.at · retrieved on 17/10/2026
Open original source
Wait for the card in the postThe health insurer sends you the e-card by itself. You do not have to order it.Key step
Why?
This way you know that after registration and photo you only need to wait.
What you do
Check your letterbox. The card costs nothing. Children under 14 get it without a photo.
Where?
Krankenkasse (meist ÖGK)Directly with the named service
Related plansGet the e-card fee refunded
In detail
Wait for your e-card by post
Your health insurer sends you the e-card automatically once you are insured and a photo is on file or an exception applies. Children under 14 get the card without a photo. Issuing the card is free. The yearly service fee is something different.
Sourcee-card: häufige Fragen
e-card: häufige Fragen
Sozialversicherungs-Chipkarten Betriebs- und Errichtungsgesellschaft · chipkarte.at · retrieved on 17/10/2026
Open original source
See a doctor even without the cardUntil the card arrives, your social insurance number and an ID with a photo are enough at the doctor.Key step
Why?
You should not have to wait when you are ill.
What you do
Bring the number and your ID. If the photo takes longer, ask the health insurer for a replacement document. That is a paper that replaces the card for a short time.
Where?
Krankenkasse / ArztpraxisDirectly with the named service
Related plansFind a doctor
In detail
See a doctor without the card
Until the card arrives, you can see a doctor with your social insurance number and a photo ID. If the photo registration cannot be done quickly, your health insurer issues a temporary e-card replacement document. For an e-prescription ask the practice for a printout.
SourceIch habe keine e-card
Ich habe keine e-card
Sozialversicherungs-Chipkarten Betriebs- und Errichtungsgesellschaft · chipkarte.at · retrieved on 17/10/2026
Open original source

Depending on your situation, this is added

Clarify your insurance with the SVS
Get co-insured through your family
Check your insurance through AMS money
Clarify your insurance for your studies
Check self-insurance
Bring your photo to the registration office
Ask if the card does not arrive
Take care of the e-card for your child
Look at the back of the card

Use the questions to find out which of these apply to you

Frequently asked questions

Can I do this online?

1 of 16 possible steps mention an online channel in their text. Requirements are in the official source.

What does it cost?

No costs are recorded for these steps in the linked sources. Fees may still apply.

Do I need an einfach.wien account?

No. The plan works without registration; answers stay in your browser.

Does einfach.wien submit my application?

No. einfach.wien helps you prepare and links official channels. You submit applications yourself to the responsible service.

What this page is based on

The information is based on official sources. einfach.wien is a private project; the content has not been professionally reviewed. All information without guarantee, no legal advice. The responsible office is always authoritative.

SourceAnmeldung von Beschäftigten

Anmeldung von Beschäftigten

Österreichische Gesundheitskasse · retrieved on 17/10/2026

How it works

What you need

What you need

Depending on your situation, this is added

Frequently asked questions

What this page is based on

Similar plans

How it works

What you need

What you need

Depending on your situation, this is added

Frequently asked questions

What this page is based on

Similar plans