Housing and healthcare benefits for hospitality workers in Austria

If you work in the hospitality industry in Austria – for example as a cook, chef, kitchen assistant,
waiting staff, cleaner, bar staff or hotel employee – it is important not only to understand your gross salary,
but also which housing and healthcare benefits Austria offers for hospitality workers.

On this page you will find a clear overview of how housing, rent support and health insurance are organised
for employees in Austria, and where to find official information.

1. Housing and rent support in Austria

Austria is known for its relatively strong social housing and residential support structure.
Unlike some other countries, there is often no direct “rent allowance” as in the Netherlands,
but there are important forms of support.

1.1 Social housing and municipal / regional support

Depending on the federal state (Bundesland) and municipality, the following may apply:

• social housing with lower rental prices;
• housing subsidies or Wohnbeihilfe for lower-income households;
• specific schemes for young workers or families.

Rules and amounts differ per federal state. Therefore, it is important to:

• check which Bundesland you live and work in;
• consult the websites of local authorities for Wohnbeihilfe or Wohnförderung;
• ask the municipality or a local advisory service if in doubt.

➜ Starting point for official information (German):

Oesterreich.gv.at – information on housing and rent subsidies

2. Health insurance and healthcare in Austria

In Austria, health insurance is largely organised through the social security system.
If you work in hospitality and are regularly employed, you are usually:

• automatically registered with a health insurance fund (ÖGK or another competent Krankenkasse);
• insured for basic healthcare, hospital care and medical treatments;
• required to pay contributions via your salary (employer + employee).

There is no separate healthcare allowance as in the Netherlands; coverage is built into the system.

➜ Official information (German):

Gesundheit.gv.at – statutory health insurance

3. What do these housing and healthcare benefits mean in practice?

For hospitality workers in Austria, this means:

• automatic health insurance with a regular employment contract;
• access to social housing or reduced rent through municipal projects;
• possible housing support (Wohnbeihilfe) for lower incomes.

This directly affects:

• your net disposable income;
• your security in case of illness;
• overall quality of living and working.

4. Where can you get help and information?

• Ask your employer which Krankenkasse you are registered with;
• Visit the website of your Bundesland (search for Wohnbeihilfe);
• Contact:
  • the municipality (Gemeindeamt)
  • the Chamber of Labour (Arbeiterkammer – AK)
  • your health insurance fund

5. Austria in a European context

On our thematic page
Hospitality benefits in Europe
you can compare Austria with the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Ireland and the United Kingdom.

6. Join our international community

Want to learn more about working, living and social security in Austria and other European countries?
Join our community:

Chefs from Europe – Work Abroad (Official Group)