What are the best places to buy propertyto be treated in Austria

Features of treatment in Austria and the development level of medical tourism. Where and what can be treated in the country and the health care system. Basic procedures and popular clinics for treatment. How to get a medical visa and TOP 5 health resorts for treatment in Austria.

September 14, 2020

Medical tourism as a way to combine a pleasant vacation with useful procedures. Many people who live in countries that are not able to provide a decent level of health care go to medical resorts in Austria. This country is famous for its achievements in the field of medical research.

Medical tourism in Austria: Main points

The Austrian health system focuses on rehabilitation and early diagnosis of diseases. There are clinics with a narrow specialization such as the Academy of oral implantology. Currently, there are 2 hospitals and 4 rehabilitation centers in Austria that are accredited by the joint international Commission. The Austrian health resorts where clients are treated in mineral waters filled with iodine, magnesium, and calcium are of a high popularity.It takes from 6 years to obtain a higher medical education in the country. All the physicians speak English. The hospital staff will find an interpreter for the patient whether it is needed.

Health care system in Austria

Austrian law obliges all the doctors here to be members of the medical chamber. This was made to address issues that affect the common professional, social and economic interests of its members as well as to monitor the professionalism of specialists.

There are 3 state medical universities in Austria located in Vienna, Graz and Innsbruck. The country has a dual education system, which implies that the practical part of the training takes place at the workplace, that is in a hospital, and the theoretical part – on the basis of an educational organization. The shortest studying period for a doctor of any specialty is 6 years, where 3 of them have to be a practical part. According to the information provided by the Organization for economic cooperation and development, there are 4.9 doctors and 7.8 average health workers per 1,000 people

Leading hospitals

Most of the medical institutions in Austria differ from the usual clinics in their historical architecture and impressive design resembling expensive palaces. According to statistics, 10% of all tourists in Austria are people who came for treatment. Moreover, 8% of them are treated in private institutions since state clinics are mainly engaged in the health of citizens. Austrian ski resorts are world-famous, so the country employs professionals who specialize in the treatment of sports injuries. The most famous and popular clinics for foreigners:

Rudolfinerhaus clinic in Vienna

This is a private institution in Vienna that offers the highest level of service. The clinic has the atmosphere of a luxury hotel. It employs leading specialists and uses modern equipment. Each patient is given a choice of thousands of doctors and you can also bring your own doctor to the "Rudolfinerhaus". The institution is famous for its achievements in the surgical field.

Private clinic "Döbling Privatklinik" in Vienna

Every year Döbling Privatklinik serves more than 9,000 patients including both Austrians and people from other countries. The facility is designed to treat 160 people at a time. You can also rent a room here if you come with your own specialist. The key areas of treatment are gynecology, diseases of the musculoskeletal system and Oncology.

The following institutions are popular as well:

Confraternitaet clinic (Confraternität Privatklinik)
Institute for infertility treatment in Vienna
Multidisciplinary clinic at the University hospital of Vienna

Basic procedures

Hospitals and clinics in Austria include different medical areas. All procedures are performed according to the quality standard established by law.Main specialization:

oncology;
gastroenterology;
general surgery;
orthopedic surgery;
neurosurgery;
infertility treatment;
urology.

The laws that penalize medical professionals for failing to comply are similar to those in the United States. In the world ranking for the quality of medical services, Austria takes third place. This country has the largest number of patients who were completely satisfied with the treatment among Europe.

How to get a medical visa

You can get a visa to visit the country for medical purposes by yourself or using the services of special agencies. Treatment in Austria requires a visa from citizens of following countries:

Bulgaria and Albania
UAE
Turkey
African countries
Arab countries

To visit Austria for treatment you are required to have a Schengen visa type C that is a tourist visa, because the purpose of the visit is medical tourism. According to the law, one can stay in the country no longer than three months during a 180-day period. If you need a longer treatment you have to obtain a national Austrian visa.

If the injury or illness does not require immediate intervention, the visa can be issued within the week, although it usually takes more time. If the treatment is urgent you should apply to the Austrian Consul who is able to speed up the process up to three days.

Consular fee for a standard visa costs 35 euros while applying for accelerated procedure is two times more expensive.

Documents for visa processing

In General, the list of documents is quite standard - you need to submit all the same documents as for a regular tourist visa. However, there are a few additional concerns. For example, if a patient is not going to stay in a hospital for inpatient treatment, they must provide a hotel or apartment reservation for the entire period of their stay in Austria.

Documents required when applying for a medical tourism visa:

passport that is valid for at least 3 months and must contain at least two pages for a visa;
copy of the internal passport;
2 photos 3,5x4,5cm;
insurance policy;
visa application form with filled in fields;
original invitation from the clinic in Austria, that thoroughly describes all the nuances of the upcoming treatment;
the Bank statement where the total amount must correspond to the calculation of 50 euros per day;
certificate from a doctor in the applicant's home country confirming the diagnosis;
documents confirming that the patient has paid for treatment.

If a pensioner is going to Austria it is also obligatory to add a copy of the pension certificate while students have to provide certificate from their Educational institution.

Health resorts and cities in Austria where you can live and be treated

Wellness holidays in Austria is not just a medical thing but also pleasant impressions from your stay in the country. Even foreign leaders and high-ranking members of the Royal families are the regular clients and often come here to get top-level medical services. The cities that are considered to have the most popular places for medical tourism are listed below.

Bad Hall (Upper Austria)

This city is quite small but there are many mineral springs on its territory with a high iodine content water. Due to this fact specialists are able to cure diseases such as cardiovascular dystonia, thrombosis and atherosclerosis. Bad Hall is a real medical resort because it also provides biotherapy, body wraps and other procedures. Treatment can be a good reason to buy real estate in the country. A house near the thermal springs will cost about 500,000 euros for 200 m2. There are also some cheaper options from 300,000 euros.

Bad Ischl (Upper Austria)

People come to Bad Ischl to get rid of cardiological, gynecological and orthopedic diseases. Here patients are treated with mineral waters and healing mud.

Warmbad-Villach (Carinthia)

The mineral water use is the most popular method of treatment in the city of Warmbad-Villach. The fact is that it contains a huge amount of calcium, magnesium, potassium and other substances that are necessary for the body. Local methods of therapy can improve metabolism, normalize blood circulation and improve overall health. Realty in Carinthia is offered at a cost of 50,000 euros per 100 m2.

Bad Kleinkirchheim (Carinthia)

In this city there are thermal springs with the water filled with radon and mineral salts. Substances that body gets after treatment here contribute to the recovery of joints and connective tissues.

Bad Hofgastein (Salzburg)

Medical resort that is featured by thermal waters with radon and Glauber salts. The demand for medical institutions in this city is explained by the wide specialization of local clinics. Here they treat neurological and dermatological diseases, chronic constipation, and colds. The price of a house with a terrace and a balcony in Hofgastein is ain't less than 500,000 euros.

Conclusions

Cancer treatment as well as cardiology, surgery and other treatment areas are at a high level in Austria. However, having the natural sources with the high contain of useful substances makes this country unique in terms of medicine and allows its clients to speed up the treatment of most of the diseases.
The cost of services is high and depends on the category of the clinic, the format of treatment and the stage of the disease.
You need to apply for a standard tourist visa in order to visit Austria for treatment.
German is a primary language in Austria but both medical professionals and ordinary residents are fluent in English.

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