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Sending post in Austria before Christmas? Here are the dates you should know

Amid a stronger than usual demand, Austria Post has warned the public to send their packages on time in order to arrive by Christmas.

Published: 25 November 2020 11:11 CET
Sending post in Austria before Christmas? Here are the dates you should know
Will your Christmas package arrive on time? Photo: SAMUEL KUBANI / AFP

In order to get there by December 24th – the post will deliver as normal on December 24th – parcels should be sent by December 21st. 

Letters and cards should be sent by December 22nd, while eco-letters should be sent by Friday, December 18th. 

Post Express items can be sent up to and including the 23rd of December. 

Austria Post's coronavirus stamps made from toilet paper go on sale 

These dates apply when the sender and the recipient are in Austria. For shipments made abroad, “an earlier posting deadline should be observed”, reports ORF. 

Coronavirus delays? 

A spokesperson for Austria Post told ORF that the above deadlines apply if things continue as normal regarding the pandemic, i.e. if no unexpected or additional coronavirus restrictions are put in place. 

“This information is subject to corona-related restrictions, which can lead to delivery delays. In the case of Post Express as well as parcel shipments to third countries, special attention must also be paid to the processing time for customs clearance in the respective country of destination,” the spokesperson said. 

Post offices in Austria will be open up to and including the 24th of December. Most locations will only from 9am to midday on the 24th, but some post offices – particularly those in shopping centres – may be open longer, says Austria Post. 

In addition to longer opening hours on Wednesday, October 23rd, deliveries will be made on Saturday, December 19th. 

 

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HEALTH INSURANCE

How can I get an appointment with a physiotherapist in Austria?

If you are recovering from an injury, experiencing pain, or simply aiming to improve your physical function, visiting a physiotherapist is a good idea. Here is what you need to know about physiotherapy in Austria.

Published: 23 April 2024 11:02 CEST
How can I get an appointment with a physiotherapist in Austria?

Physiotherapy can be the key to improving mobility, managing pain, recovering from injuries, and optimising overall physical function. Many people will need such services at some point in their lives.

If you need a physiotherapist in Austria, you can choose between going to one who is contracted with your insurance company (Therapeut mit Kassenvertrag) or to a so-called elective therapist (Wahltherapeut). For both options, you will need a referral from a general practitioner, such as your family doctor (Hausarzt), if you want to access the service for free (with your e-card) or get a reimbursement for your treatment.

Physiotherapy through your health insurance company

If you want to go to a physiotherapist without having to pay for it, you can try to find a suitable physiotherapist who is contracted with your insurance company. 

Physiotherapy is free of charge if your therapist is contracted with large public insurance companies such as the Austrian Health Insurance Fund (ÖGK), Insurance Institution for Public Employees, Railways and Mines (BVAEB) or Social Insurance Institution for the Self-Employed (SVS).

These insurance companies settle directly with their contracted therapists and you do not need to pay anything out of pocket. However, accessing this kind of free treatment can sometimes be hard, as those with the most urgent needs are prioritised, which can result in long waiting times for appointments. 

Here you can find a list of physiotherapists who work privately but still have a contract with ÖGK, sorted by regions within Austria.

Physiotherapist of your choice

If you want to go to a therapist that is not contracted with your insurance company, you initially have to pay for the treatment yourself.

Once your treatment is completed and the treatment costs have been paid in full, you can apply to your health insurance company for reimbursement by submitting your confirmation of payment. Here you can find information on which other documents you may need to submit.

However, you will not be reimbursed the full amount. For example, with ÖGK, you usually receive about 80% of what contracted physiotherapists would get from ÖGK. If you are insured with SVS and BVAEB, the percentage is similar.

If you have another type of insurance, such as a private one, it is a good idea to check with them what their specific insurance covers.

Going to a physiotherapist can improve your quality of life. Photo by Sincerely Media on Unsplash

Where do I find a suitable therapist?

There are plenty of ways to find the right physiotherapist that fits your needs. Sometimes your family doctor may have a recommendation, or perhaps a friend can suggest one. If you prefer to explore on your own and consider more options, you can search for a therapist online.

Websites such as physioaustria offer useful search functions where you can find therapists based on specific criteria, such as specialisation or insurance contracts. You might also find physiotherapie.at helpful for your search.

READ MORE: Everything foreigners need to know about the Austrian healthcare system

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