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HEALTH

Reader question: How do I get a flu vaccine in Austria?

Last year, the number of people who got vaccinated against the flu rose significantly in Austria, with some states offering the jab for free. A reader got in touch to ask what the situation will look like this winter.

Published: 20 October 2021 10:25 CEST
Woman with flu in bed with tissues
Getting the flu vaccine can help protect you and others around you from illness, but who's eligible for a free jab in Austria? Photo: Andrea Piacquadio/Pexels

How do I get a flu vaccine in Austria, and do I have to pay?

It depends on where you live and whether you belong to an at-risk group.

The flu vaccine is recommended for all adults in Austria, but some groups are particularly at risk from either catching the flu or falling severely ill with it.

The following groups are strongly recommended to get the flu vaccine: babies and toddlers, people aged over 60 (around 90 percent of all Austria’s flu deaths fall into these two age groups), people with certain chronic illnesses, people working in healthcare and care settings, pregnant people and those trying to get pregnant, and people with frequent contact with the public such as those working in retail or gastronomy.

This is particularly important during the Covid-19 pandemic for two reasons. Firstly, the fewer people who get severely ill from flu, the greater the capacity in the healthcare sector will be. And secondly, this year there is a high risk of a flu outbreak because last year there was no real wave of flu due to the measures in place to reduce the spread of Covid-19.

Austria’s Chamber of Pharmacists also recommends getting the flu vaccine before winter travel overseas, with the flu season having already started in several popular holiday destinations for Austrian residents such as Croatia.

The recommended time for getting the vaccine is between late October and November, to ensure that you have the best change of protection during the usual peak of the season in December to January.

As for the cost of the vaccine, it is not free for adults as a general rule, but many groups can get the flu vaccine without paying.

For children aged between six months and 15 years, the vaccine is free, wherever you live in the country.

For adults, the vaccine is organized at a regional level, with most states procuring vaccines to be distributed for free among staff of healthcare facilities, elderly care homes, and schools for example. Some private employers also offer the flu vaccine for free, and some insurance programmes cover the cost.

If you don’t belong to any of those categories, you should contact your doctor to find out more. You can also find out more by calling the health information phoneline 1450 or by contacting your local authority responsible for organizing vaccinations; the contact details are listed here by the government.

The vaccine often costs money for adults outside the targeted groups, for example in Upper Austria the cost is €15, in Styria €16, in Salzburg €20, in Carinthia €22.

Last year, many states offered free flu vaccines for members of the public outside risk groups, but fewer are continuing the campaign this year. One exception however is Vienna, where you will be able to get a free flu vaccine starting from early November by booking online or speaking to your doctor.

You need to bring a photo ID to your appointment, and your e-card if you have one.

Got a question about life in Austria? Contact our editorial team at [email protected] and we will do our best to help you.

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LIVING IN AUSTRIA

How can I move into affordable cooperative housing in Vienna?

If you are looking for affordable, high-quality housing with a community feeling in Vienna, applying for a Genossenschaftswohnung, cooperative housing, is a great idea.

Published: 5 February 2024 14:03 CET
How can I move into affordable cooperative housing in Vienna?

Vienna is considered the most liveable city in the world, and one of the reasons why is its affordable rents, which stand out when compared to rental prices in other European capital cities. Even though the concept of social housing is present all over Austria, its presence is strongest in the capital city.

In Vienna, it is not uncommon to hear about people living in gorgeous and spacious flats while paying less than the monthly rent of a room in cities like London or Paris. However, to be one of the fortunate tenants, you need to know the conditions.

READ ALSO: The essential articles to read if you are moving to Vienna

Genossenschaftswohnungen (cooperative housing) is one of the forms of social housing in the city, aiming to create affordable and high-quality housing for its residents.

The concept of Genossenschaftswohnungen

Cooperatives are spread all over the city and receive housing subsidies from the Austrian state, making affordable living for tenants possible. Cooperative flats are an option for anyone who wants to avoid privately financed rental flats, wishes to belong to a community, be part of decision-making, and cannot or does not want to buy a property.

A strong idea behind the concept of cooperative housing is to create social communities where members engage with each other and develop a sustainable living situation where everyone is involved in making decisions regarding the property.

Decisions are typically made collectively through voting, ensuring all residents have their voices heard.

READ ALSO: The verdict: How family friendly is Vienna?

As a member of cooperative housing, you live at lower running costs but have to pay a significant entry fee as a financial contribution (Genossenschaftsanteil) at the start of the tenancy. 

This payment serves as a form of membership fee and helps with funding the cooperative’s construction, land use, maintenance, and other related costs. The fee is usually reimbursed if the tenant decides to move out.

Requirements needed

To be eligible for cooperative housing, you need to fulfil specific requirements:

  • Depending on the number of people in the household, the annual net income can not exceed the following maximum limits:

One person: € 57,600

Two persons: € 85,830

Three people: € 97,130

Four people: € 108,420

Each additional person: plus € 6,330

  • You need to be over 18 years old when the contract starts.
  • It is necessary to be an Austrian citizen, EU citizen, EEA citizen or non-EU citizen who either has a residence permit or is a refugee under the Geneva Convention.
  • You need to have lived in Vienna for two years when you apply.
  • The financial contribution (Genossenschaftsanteil) needs to be paid. The amount varies but is typically around € 50-500 per square meter. If necessary, you can apply for a loan at MA 50, the municipal department that deals with housing in the city. 

How to apply

If you want to live in a cooperative flat, you need to make a reservation for the specific housing project you are interested in. You can do this online, but since the waiting lists could be long, your chances may increase if you remain persistent and express your interest in the community – knowing people who already live in the building you are interested in may also help as some contracts allow apartments to be “passed on” to a person chosen by the renter.

READ ALSO: How much does it cost to live in Vienna in 2024?

Usually, you have to fill out a form when you register before applying to a residence. Many cooperatives consider your income and living situation. They might prioritize your application if they find that you are in particular need of a flat, such as if you have a family, low income, or a disability.

Various websites offer cooperative flats in Vienna genossenschaften.immo and Wohnservice Wien are two of them.

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