X-Ray Cost in Austria
What you actually pay with the e-card at ÖGK-contracted institutes, as a Wahlarzt patient, at private MRI/CT centres and as a visitor. Last reviewed October 2026.
Short answer: how much does an X-ray cost in Austria?
With an e-card and a referral (Überweisung), an X-ray at an ÖGK-contracted radiology institute or a public hospital is free at the point of care. Paying privately at a non-contracted (Wahlarzt) radiologist, a plain X-ray costs approximately €50–150 per region (about $60–175); you can claim back 80% of the Kassentarif, which for most single X-rays is only about €16–41. Private MRI is published at €260–300 per region and private CT from about €295.
Quick Overview
Austria has compulsory social health insurance. Most employees, pensioners and their dependants are insured with the ÖGK (Österreichische Gesundheitskasse), which in 2020 replaced the nine regional Gebietskrankenkassen (GKK); the self-employed and farmers are insured with SVS and public servants, railway and mining employees with BVAEB. Insured people pay an income-related contribution (for employees 3.87% employee share plus 3.78% employer share) and an annual e-card service fee, which rose from €13.80 to €25 for 2026. Radiologists with a Kassenvertrag bill the insurer directly according to a contract tariff, so the X-ray costs you nothing. Radiologists without a contract (Wahlärzte) and private MRI/CT centres charge you directly, and the insurer refunds only 80% of its own tariff.
🏥 Kassen institute / hospital
- Referral (Überweisung) from a GP or specialist
- Bring your e-card — billed directly to ÖGK
- Plain X-rays often same day or within days
- CT / MRI waits of weeks are common
💶 Wahlarzt / private X-ray
- Per region; most institutes quote on request
- Pay up front, claim back 80% of the Kassentarif
- Typical refund for one X-ray: about €16–41
- Supplementary insurance can cover the rest
🧲 Private MRI / CT
- Published per-region MRI prices, 2026
- Contrast adds approx. €40–65
- Private CT from about €295 (Prescan)
- Appointments typically within 1–3 days
X-Ray Prices in Austria by Exam: Kasse vs Private
The "Kassentarif" column shows what one ÖGK radiology contract tariff (Anlage D, valid from 1 January 2024) pays a contracted radiologist per examination, including the report. It is not what you pay — but it is the basis for your refund if you go to a Wahlarzt (80% of the tariff). Tariffs differ somewhat between ÖGK regional offices and are indexed each year. Private X-ray prices are rarely published in Austria, so the self-pay range is an approximate guide.
| Exam | With e-card + referral | Kassentarif (ÖGK pays) | Wahlarzt refund (80%) | Private self-pay (EUR / USD ≈) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chest X-ray (Herz-Lunge) | Free | €51.29 | ≈ €41 | approx. €50–150 / $60–175 |
| Hand or wrist (one side) | Free | €30.31 | ≈ €24 | approx. €50–150 / $60–175 |
| Ankle (one side) | Free | €30.31 | ≈ €24 | approx. €50–150 / $60–175 |
| Foot (one side) | Free | €48.50 | ≈ €39 | approx. €50–150 / $60–175 |
| Knee (one side) | Free | €30.31 (€43.34 with patella view) | ≈ €24–35 | approx. €50–150 / $60–175 |
| Cervical spine (HWS) | Free | €38.37 | ≈ €31 | approx. €50–150 / $60–175 |
| Lumbar spine (LWS) | Free | €36.75 | ≈ €29 | approx. €50–150 / $60–175 |
| Whole spine standing (2 planes) | Free | €107.35 | ≈ €86 | approx. €150–250 / $175–290 |
| Pelvis overview / one hip | Free | €20.20 / €34.42 | ≈ €16 / €28 | approx. €50–150 / $60–175 |
| Abdomen (plain) | Free | €51.25 | ≈ €41 | approx. €50–150 / $60–175 |
| Dental panoramic (OPG) | Free via contracted dentist / radiologist | €34.14 | ≈ €27 | approx. €40–80 / $45–95 |
| Ultrasound, upper abdomen | Free | €43.52 | ≈ €35 | Price on request |
| CT (per region) | Free (waits apply) | — | — | from €295 (head) to €465 (abdomen) / $340–540 |
| MRI (per region) | Free (waits apply) | — | — | €260–300; check-up providers from €390 / $300–455 |
Kassentarif figures from an ÖGK "Anlage D" tariff for contracted radiology specialists valid from 1 January 2024 (amounts include fee and costs). Refund = 80% of the tariff under § 131 ASVG, rounded. MRI prices from published 2026 self-pay lists: Bader-MR Vienna (€260 per region, brain €270, contrast €40), DZAM Amstetten (€270, contrast €65), privat MRT im Zentrum St. Pölten (€270, contrast €50), Privat-MRT Linz (knee €275) and Prescan (MRI from €390, CT €295–465, plus €45 admin fee per invoice). Private plain X-ray and dental OPG ranges are approximate because few Austrian institutes publish them. USD at approximately €1 = $1.16.
How Austrian Health Insurance Pays for X-Rays
1. Kassenarzt / Kassen institute
- Your GP or specialist issues an Überweisung naming the examination
- The contracted radiologist bills ÖGK directly per the contract tariff
- Fee includes the X-ray, the radiologist's report and film costs
- The report goes to your referring doctor; images are usually handed to you or shared via ELGA
- No per-visit charge for ÖGK members
2. Wahlarzt (no Kassenvertrag)
- You pay the full invoice yourself
- Refund: 80% of what ÖGK would have paid a contracted radiologist (§ 131 ASVG)
- Submit via Meine ÖGK / meineSV, post or in person; many Wahlärzte now submit electronically
- Claims must be made within 42 months
- For CT/MRI, check whether prior approval (chefärztliche Bewilligung) is needed
3. Other insurers and co-pays
- ÖGK: no co-pay for referred X-rays
- SVS (self-employed, farmers) and BVAEB (public servants, railways, mining): covered, but a percentage co-payment (Selbstbehalt) may apply
- e-card service fee: €25 for 2026 (dependants exempt)
- Accidents at work: AUVA trauma hospitals (Unfallkrankenhäuser)
Kasse vs Private: Waiting Times for MRI and CT
Plain X-rays are rarely a bottleneck, but CT and MRI waits on the Kasse are the main reason Austrians pay privately. The social insurers have agreed target maximum waits with contracted institutes, yet reported averages often exceed them.
| Region / source | Kassen institute | Private institute |
|---|---|---|
| Vienna — ORF, May 2025 (MRI) | 14–25 days on average | about 1–3 days |
| Salzburg — AK Salzburg survey, Sept 2024 (MRI) | 39.5 days on average | often same day |
| Carinthia — AK survey, 2024 (extreme case) | up to about 92 days | a few days |
| Target maximum agreed by social insurers | MRI 20 working days, CT 10, urgent 5 | — |
Waiting-time figures as reported by ORF Wien and Arbeiterkammer surveys; individual institutes vary widely. If your referral is marked urgent, say so when booking.
Where to Get an X-Ray in Austria
🏥 Public / University Hospitals
- AKH Wien (Vienna General Hospital / MedUni Wien)
- Klinik Hietzing and other Wiener Gesundheitsverbund hospitals — Vienna
- LKH-Univ. Klinikum Graz
- Kepler Universitätsklinikum — Linz
- Uniklinikum Salzburg
- Tirol Kliniken (LKH Innsbruck)
- AUVA trauma hospitals for accidents (e.g. Vienna, Linz, Salzburg, Graz, Klagenfurt)
🧲 Radiology & Private Imaging
- Kassen institutes in every district — e.g. Diagnostikum Meidling, Radiologie Hernals, Diagnosehaus Simmering (Vienna)
- Bader-MR — private MRI, Vienna (from €260)
- Prescan — private check-up imaging, Vienna, Graz, Salzburg
- DZAM — private MRI, Amstetten (€270)
- privat MRT im Zentrum — St. Pölten (€270)
- Privat-MRT Linz (knee €275)
💡 Practical tips
- Ask "Haben Sie einen Kassenvertrag mit der ÖGK?" before booking
- Use the ÖGK doctor search (Arztsuche) to find contracted radiologists
- A Wahlarzt X-ray refund is small — the Kasse route is far cheaper
- Private pricing is most competitive for MRI, not plain X-ray
Supplementary Insurance and Regional Differences
💳 Private supplementary insurance
- Outpatient (ambulante) Zusatzversicherung tops up Wahlarzt refunds
- Tariffs commonly cover 80% or 100% of the remaining cost
- Check annual limits and whether imaging is included
- Submit the ÖGK refund notice together with your invoice
🗺️ Regional differences
- Contract tariffs differ slightly between ÖGK regional offices
- CT/MRI waits are reported longest in Salzburg and Carinthia
- Private MRI prices outside Vienna are similar (€270–275)
- Rural areas have fewer Kassen radiologists — plan for travel
🏛️ Self-payers at public hospitals
- Uninsured patients are billed Ambulanzgebühren
- Set by each federal state's regulation and updated yearly
- Itemised per examination (X-ray, CT, MRI, ultrasound)
- Ask for the current tariff at the hospital billing office
Guide by Patient Type
🇦🇹 Austrian residents
- Get an Überweisung and use a Kassen institute — free
- Pay privately mainly to speed up MRI or CT
- Submit every Wahlarzt invoice for the 80% refund
- Keep your e-card active (€25 fee for 2026)
🇪🇺 EU / EEA / Swiss / UK visitors
- EHIC (or UK GHIC) covers necessary care at contracted doctors and public hospitals
- Show the card and ID before treatment
- Ski-resort doctors may be private — ask first, keep invoices
- Planned treatment is not covered by EHIC
✈️ Non-EU visitors and new expats
- Self-pay at a private institute or public hospital (Ambulanzgebühren)
- Travel insurance strongly recommended, especially for winter sports
- Employees are insured with ÖGK from their first working day
- Students and others without employment can self-insure with ÖGK
Practical Details
📋 What to bring
- e-card (or EHIC/GHIC) and photo ID
- Referral (Überweisung) naming the exam
- Approval (Bewilligung) for CT/MRI if required
- Previous images on CD/USB or via ELGA
- Card or cash for private institutes
⏰ Typical wait times
- Emergency / accident: imaged on arrival at hospital
- Plain X-ray, Kasse: often same day to a few days
- MRI, Kasse: commonly 2–6 weeks
- Private MRI: 1–3 days
- Report: usually same day to 3 working days
💡 How to save money
- Always use a contracted radiologist for plain X-rays
- Compare private MRI prices — regional centres are €260–275
- Ask whether contrast (€40–65) is really needed
- Claim refunds within 42 months
FAQ
How much does an X-ray cost in Austria?
With an e-card and a doctor's referral (Überweisung), an X-ray at an ÖGK-contracted radiology institute (Kasseninstitut) or a public hospital costs ÖGK members nothing at the point of care. Paying privately, a plain X-ray costs approximately €50–150 per body region (about $60–175); few institutes publish X-ray prices, so ask for a quote. For comparison, one ÖGK radiology contract tariff pays the radiologist €51.29 for a chest X-ray and €30.31 for one knee.
Was kostet ein Röntgen privat in Österreich?
Private (Wahlarzt) radiologists usually quote plain X-rays individually; expect approximately €50–150 per region, more for multi-region spine studies. If you have a referral and are insured, you can submit the paid invoice to your health insurer and get back 80% of what the insurer would have paid a contracted radiologist, which for most single X-rays is only about €16–41.
Is an X-ray free with the e-card (ÖGK)?
Yes for ÖGK members. At contracted radiologists and public hospital outpatient departments the institute bills ÖGK directly and you pay nothing beyond the annual e-card service fee, which is €25 for 2026. Members of SVS (self-employed) and BVAEB (public servants, railway and mining employees) are covered too but may owe a percentage co-payment (Selbstbehalt) on some services; check with your insurer.
How much does ÖGK refund for a Wahlarzt X-ray or scan?
Under § 131 ASVG, the insurer refunds 80% of the amount it would have paid a contracted provider, not 80% of your bill. Using one ÖGK radiology tariff as an example, a chest X-ray (tariff €51.29) would be refunded about €41 and a single knee X-ray (tariff €30.31) about €24. Submit the itemised invoice, proof of payment and the referral via Meine ÖGK / meineSV or by post; the claim must be made within 42 months.
Do I need a referral (Überweisung) for an X-ray in Austria?
Yes for a Kassen X-ray: contracted radiologists can only bill ÖGK for examinations requested on a referral from a contracted GP or specialist. Private radiology institutes also generally require a doctor's request because of radiation-protection rules. CT and MRI on the Kasse are booked with a referral; some services need prior approval (chefärztliche Bewilligung).
How much does a private MRI or CT cost in Austria?
Published 2026 self-pay prices for MRI are about €260–300 per region at specialist MRI institutes: Bader-MR in Vienna lists €260 per joint or spine region, DZAM Amstetten and privat MRT im Zentrum St. Pölten €270, and Privat-MRT Linz €275 for a knee, with contrast adding roughly €40–65. Prescan, a private check-up provider, lists MRI from €390 and CT from €295 (head) to €465 (abdomen), plus a €45 admin fee per invoice.
How long is the wait for an MRI or CT on the Kasse?
Waits vary by region. Reported averages include 14–25 days in Vienna (ORF, May 2025), 39.5 days in Salzburg (AK Salzburg survey, September 2024) and up to about three months in individual cases. Private institutes typically offer appointments within one to a few days, which is the main reason people pay privately.
Can tourists or EHIC holders get an X-ray in Austria?
EU/EEA, Swiss and UK (GHIC) visitors can use their EHIC/GHIC for medically necessary treatment at contracted doctors and public hospitals on the same terms as Austrian insured patients. Some doctors in ski resorts work privately (as Wahlärzte) and will charge you directly; ask before treatment and keep the invoice to claim from your insurer. Non-EU visitors without Austrian insurance pay as self-payers, billed by public hospitals under each state's outpatient fee regulation (Ambulanzgebühren).
How much does a dental X-ray (Panoramaröntgen) cost in Austria?
A panoramic dental X-ray (OPG) ordered by a contracted dentist or radiologist is a covered benefit for ÖGK members; one ÖGK radiology tariff pays €34.14 for it. Private dental practices charge approximately €40–80 for an OPG and less for single intraoral films; prices vary by practice.
What does a public hospital charge uninsured patients for an X-ray?
Public hospitals charge self-payers (people without Austrian or EHIC cover) outpatient fees (Ambulanzgebühren) set by each federal state's regulation. These are itemised per examination and update annually, for example the Styrian Ambulanzgebührenverordnung 2026. Ask the hospital's billing office for the current tariff, and use travel insurance.
Compare X-Ray Costs Across Countries
Sources
- ÖGK — Anlage D, Tarif für Vertragsfachärzte für Radiologie, gültig ab 1. Jänner 2024 (gesundheitskasse.at)
- Allgemeines Sozialversicherungsgesetz (ASVG) § 131 — Kostenerstattung at 80% of the contract tariff (RIS, Bundeskanzleramt)
- oesterreich.gv.at — e-card service fee (€25 for 2026) and exemptions
- Bader-MR (Vienna), DZAM Diagnosezentrum Amstetten, privat MRT im Zentrum (St. Pölten), Privat-MRT Linz — published MRI self-pay price lists
- Prescan — services and prices (MRI, CT, DEXA)
- ORF Wien (2024, 2025) and Arbeiterkammer Salzburg survey (September 2024) — MRI/CT waiting times
- Steiermärkische Ambulanzgebührenverordnung 2026 (draft) — self-payer outpatient fees at public hospitals
Last reviewed: October 2026. Tariffs are indexed annually and private prices change — confirm with the provider and your insurer before booking.