Health Advice
Health Advice for Austria
Austria has an excellent healthcare system by any standards and travelers from EU countries can get urgent treatment that is covered by the public “Krankenkassen” system for free or a token fee. Non urgent treatment is not covered.
It should be noted that Austria is considered to be one of the safest countries in the world, with its capital Vienna ranking 6th safest from over 200 cities worldwide. According to the OECD Factbook of 2006, levels of robbery, assault, and car crime are among the lowest in the developed world. Even so, non-violent crime such as pick pocketing and handbag snatching are on the increase, following the international trend. Bicycle theft is common in the larger cities, so locking a bike to an object like a railing or post makes good sense. Care should be taken when crossing bike lanes in larger cities like Vienna, as they are busy and often cyclists ride quite fast.
When hiking or climbing in the alps, it is wise to pay attention to the weather and weather forecasts, as sudden afternoon thunderstorms are frequent. With a vast network of well marked tracks it is generally safe to hike in the alps without a guide, but there still a few fatalities each year - generally the result of carelessness. It’s advisable to check with the local tourist office to ensure your chosen route is suitable to your experience and fitness level. The correct equipment and supplies are also a must.
If driving, take special care when driving in winter, especially in the mountains and keep in mind that winter lasts from September to May in the higher parts of the alps and snowfall there is possible any time of the year. Icy roads kill dozens of inexperienced drivers every year. Avoid speeding and driving at night and make sure the car is in a good condition. Motorway bridges are particularly prone to ice. Slow down to 80 km/h when going over them.
Winter tires are strongly recommended by Austrian motoring clubs. When there is snowfall, winter tires or snow chains are required by law on some mountain passes, and occasionally also on motorways. It is always a good idea to take a pair of snow chains and a warm blanket in the boot. Drivers often get stuck in their car for several hours and sometimes suffer from hypothermia. Some insurance will not cover you in Austria, so If you are driving to Austria from another country, it is wise to check before you leave. Also, if you are planning on doing any winter sports in Austria it is wise to ensure you have insurance cover for these activities.
