SHARE
COPY LINK

HEALTHCARE

Austria to remove legal barriers for foreign nurses

Austria has made it easier for foreign nurses to secure work, after changing the rules around the so-called ‘red-white-red’ card.

Austria to remove legal barriers for foreign nurses
Austria is increasingly reliant on foreign nurses. Photo: JOE KLAMAR / AFP

Labor Minister Martin Kocher (ÖVP) made the announcement on Monday. 

The decision comes due to additional pressure on the Austrian healthcare sector, which has become increasingly acute since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. 

Austria will need an additional 40,000 nursing staff by 2030. 

Kocher said in a statement that his government would act to close a legal loophole “which has so far made it more difficult for highly qualified people to integrate into the labor market.” 

“We have a special need for qualified workers in the care sector, which has become even greater as a result of the crisis,” said the minister.

READ MORE: What’s the difference between permanent residency and citizenship in Austria?

Currently, nurses wanting to work in Austria from a non-EU country must have their qualifications recognised as part of what is known as a ‘nostrification procedure’. 

During this time, nurses are denied residence and work rights, reports Austrian media. 

This process is time consuming and can result in real delays, putting an even greater strain on the Austrian care sector. 

Under the new rules, prospective nurses can start working under supervision as the procedure takes place. 

Their application for a preliminary red-white-red card will need to be approved by the respective state governor before they start work, Austria’s Kurier newspaper reports. 

Member comments

Log in here to leave a comment.
Become a Member to leave a comment.
For members

HEALTHCARE

REVEALED: Where are the ‘best’ hospitals in Austria?

Austria is known for its great quality of life - including an extensive social system with public health insurance. But what are the best hospitals in the country?

REVEALED: Where are the 'best' hospitals in Austria?

A new ranking published by the US news magazine Newsweek and data provider Statista has shown the best hospitals in the world – and Austrian hospitals were featured in the list.

The ranking analysed 2,400 hospitals from 30 countries. 

The ranking was based upon a combination of four different data sources: the opinion of over 85,000 healthcare professionals worldwide, patient experience surveys following hospitalisation, publicly available hospital quality metrics, and patient outcome questionnaires. 

The Mayo Clinic in Rochester (USA), the Cleveland Clinic (USA) and the Toronto General – University Health Network (Canada) are the best hospitals in the world. The best hospital in Europe is Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin (Germany), in sixth place.

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

The best hospitals in Austria

According to the survey, the best hospital in Austria is the Viennese central hospital, the University Hospital AKH Vienna, which took the 25th place in the worldwide ranking.

The Innsbruck University Hospital (53rd spot) and the University Hospital Graz (73rd) also made the top 100 list. 

Here’s the Austrian ranking:

  1. Allgemeines Krankenhaus der Stadt Wien – Medizinischer Universitätscampus (Vienna)
  2. Landeskrankenhaus Universitätskliniken Innsbruck (Innsbruck)
  3. Landeskrankenhaus – Universitätsklinikum Graz (Graz)
  4. Landeskrankenhaus Salzburg – Universitätsklinikum der PMU (Salzburg)
  5. Ordensklinikum Linz Elisabethinen (Linz)
  6. Kepler Universitätsklinikum (Linz)
  7. Österreichische Gesundheitskasse – Mein Hanusch-Krankenhaus (Vienna)
  8. Krankenhaus der Barmherzigen Schwestern Wien (Vienna)
  9. KRAGES – Landeskrankenhaus Oberpullendorf (Oberpullendorf)
  10. Klinikum Klagenfurt am Wörthersee (Klagenfurt am Wörthersee)
  11. St. Josef-Krankenhaus (Vienna)
  12. Krankenhaus St. Vinzenz Zams (Zams)
  13. Kardinal Schwarzenberg Klinikum (Schwarzach im Pongau)
  14. Landesklinikum Wiener Neustadt (Wiener Neustadt)
  15. Klinikum Wels-Grieskirchen (Wels)
  16. Landesklinikum Klosterneuburg (Klosterneuburg)
  17. KRAGES – Landeskrankenhaus Güssing (Güssing)
  18. Salzkammergut-Klinikum (Vöcklabruck)
  19. Ordensklinikum Linz Barmherzige Schwestern (Linz)
  20. Wiener Gesundheitsverbund Klinik Donaustadt (Vienna)
  21. Krankenhaus der Barmherzigen Brüder Eisenstadt (Eisenstadt)
  22. Bezirkskrankenhaus Kufstein (Kufstein)
  23. Wiener Privatklinik (Vienna)
  24. Universitätsklinikum St. Pölten (St. Pölten)
  25. Krankenhaus der Barmherzigen Brüder Linz (Linz)
  26. Landeskrankenhaus Feldkirch (Feldkirch)
  27. Krankenhaus der Barmherzigen Brüder Wien (Vienna)
  28. Landesklinikum Korneuburg (Korneuburg)

SHOW COMMENTS