Dental Insurance in Austria: What Does Krankenkasse Cover at the Dentist? What does dental insurance in Austria cover? Austrian health insurance (ÖGK) pays for fillings, root canals and extractions – but not implants. Full cost guide. Topics: Daily Life, Healthcare.

Filling, crown or professional cleaning – the question of what dental insurance in Austria actually pays for comes up for every expat eventually. The short answer: the Austrian public health insurer (Österreichische Gesundheitskasse, ÖGK) covers the full tariff cost of contracted treatments, but many modern procedures – white fillings on molars, implants, aesthetic prosthetics – remain out-of-pocket. The EU-wide amalgam ban at the start of 2025 has made this topic even more relevant.

In this guide you will learn which dental treatments the Austrian health insurance covers, what you have to pay yourself and how to claim back as much as possible from a private dentist. We break down the current tariffs of the ÖGK dental health centres, explain the difference between a contract dentist and a private one, and walk you through the new co-payment rules for dentures. A practical checklist at the end prepares you for your next visit.

The Short Answer: What Does Austrian Health Insurance Pay For?

The public health insurance in Austria fully covers the tariff cost of treatment at a contract dentist (Kassenzahnarzt). According to the ÖGK service overview, covered services include fillings made of glass ionomer cement or alkasite on molars, composite fillings on front teeth and canines, root canal treatments, tartar removal and surgical procedures such as tooth and root extractions.

Not covered – or only partially – are: white composite fillings on molars, professional teeth cleaning, orthodontic treatment for adults and most prosthetics – crowns, bridges and implants. For these you pay a share or the full bill yourself.

One crucial point: ÖGK only pays within the contract dentist tariff. If you see a dentist without a contract with the insurer (Wahlzahnarzt), you get 80 percent of that tariff refunded – not 80 percent of your actual bill.

Benefits also differ by insurer. ÖGK covers most employees, but civil servants are insured with BVAEB and the self-employed with SVS. BVAEB offers better conditions for prosthetics and pays subsidies even for single crowns and bridges – around 200 euros per crown or bridge unit and 350 euros per implant according to the Chamber of Dentists fee schedule. SVS, by contrast, reimburses less for fillings but encourages regular hygiene: since 2025, three professional cleanings within the last five calendar years are required for the subsidy.

Contract Dentist vs Private Dentist: The Refund Difference

Austria has two types of dentists: Vertragszahnärzte (contract dentists) and Wahlzahnärzte (private dentists). At a contract dentist you pay with your e-card: the insurer transfers the money directly, and you only cover any co-payment. At a private dentist you pay the full bill first and then submit it to the insurer.

The refund at a private dentist is, according to the ÖGK, 80 percent of the contract dentist tariff for conservative treatments. Example: if a composite filling on a front tooth costs 40 euros per tariff, ÖGK refunds 32 euros – regardless of whether the dentist’s bill was 60 or 120 euros.

The advantage of a private dentist is flexible appointments and modern equipment. For expensive treatments – especially prosthetics – ask for a Heil- und Kostenplan (treatment and cost plan) and submit it to ÖGK in advance. That way you know the subsidy amount before treatment starts. Austria’s healthcare system is under pressure overall – we covered the crisis in Austrian medicine and healthcare financing challenges in earlier articles.

Fillings: Which Ones Does the Insurance Pay For?

Since 1 January 2025, new amalgam fillings are banned in Austria and across the EU. ÖGK now fully pays for fillings made of glass ionomer cement or alkasite on molars. White composite fillings are only reimbursed on front teeth and canines. If you want a white filling on a back tooth – even at a contract dentist – it is a private service.

The tariffs of the ÖGK dental health centres show the price range (valid from 1 July 2026): a single-surface composite filling costs 90.40 euros, a two-surface one 130.70 euros, a three-surface one 170.30 euros. These amounts you pay yourself if you choose a tooth-coloured filling in the molar area.

Conservative dentistry also includes root canal treatments, which the insurer covers in full as a contracted service. The same applies to fissure sealing for children and milk tooth crowns – both are medically sensible preventive services.

A common misunderstanding concerns anaesthesia: local anaesthesia as part of a contracted treatment is included. If you want general anaesthesia for convenience, the dental health centre charges 18 euros per the tariff list – unless it is medically indicated, for instance for patients with severe dental phobia.

Also note: for every conservative and surgical dental treatment a treatment contribution is collected – ten percent of the cost, at least 5.45 and at most 21.80 euros per treatment. Children and teenagers under 18 are exempt.

Teeth Cleaning and Prevention: Covered or Out of Pocket?

Professional teeth cleaning (PZR) is generally not a public insurance benefit in Austria. ÖGK only covers it in special medical cases, for example severe gum disease. At the ÖGK dental health centre, a professional cleaning costs 83.70 euros according to the current tariff list – private practices typically charge 100 to 200 euros.

What the insurer does pay for annually is tartar removal as part of conservative treatment. Periodontitis treatment – therapy for gum disease – is also a covered service when medically necessary. The costs for periodontal diagnostics are fixed in the ÖGK tariffs.

Tip: many supplementary insurance policies cover professional teeth cleaning in full or in part. Interestingly, SVS subsidises oral hygiene sessions if you have attended cleaning regularly in previous years – an incentive for consistent prevention.

Prosthetics: What the Insurer Covers for Crowns, Bridges and Dentures

When it comes to prosthetics, the insurer is much more restrained. ÖGK generally covers only simple, medically necessary restorations: simple metal crowns in the molar area, simple bridges in medically justified cases, and removable partial and full dentures. High-quality or aesthetic solutions count as private services.

Since 1 May 2026, the co-payment for essential dentures has been raised from 25 to 30 percent. This is confirmed by the Austrian Chamber of Dentists: the higher co-payments apply to applications received by ÖGK after 30 April 2026. For insured persons exempt from the prescription fee, the co-payment remains 20 percent.

An example from the fee schedule: a full plastic denture has a total tariff of around 948 euros. Of this, ÖGK covers 75 percent – with a 30 percent co-payment the patient pays noticeably more than before. For a metal-ceramic crown (VMK) at the dental health centre you pay around 784 euros yourself – the insurer only contributes in special medical cases.

The good news: repairs of existing dentures are a covered service. Professional denture cleaning is also offered at the dental health centre for a fixed 31.80 euros. The key concept is Regelversorgung (standard provision): if a removable denture is medically possible, the insurer pays for it. If you prefer a crown or implant instead, you cover the difference to the standard tariff – in practice often several hundred euros.

When taking out supplementary insurance, watch the waiting periods: most private dental top-up policies only start covering prosthetics after three to twelve months. Plan larger treatments accordingly.

Implants: Only in Special Medical Cases

Dental implants are a purely private service in Austria. ÖGK provides no subsidy for fixed prosthetics – unless a removable denture is not possible for special medical reasons. At the dental health centre, an implant costs 1,149.50 euros per the tariff list, plus retentive elements, matrices and crowns.

Exceptions prove the rule: in serious medical special cases – cleft lip and palate, oncology patients or accident victims – the insurers pay subsidies after prior approval. The classification is made by the ÖGK Dental Medical Service together with the treating dentist.

A practical alternative for budget-conscious patients: the ÖGK dental health centres with their fixed tariffs. For implants, the total tariffs mentioned above apply – significantly cheaper than private practices, but still a four-figure sum.

A common tip for Austria is treatment in another EU country, especially Hungary. As an ÖGK insured person you have the right to treatment in any EU member state. For conservative services such as fillings, X-rays and cleaning, ÖGK reimburses 80 percent of the contract dentist tariff – regardless of what the foreign practice actually charges. For fixed prosthetics, reimbursement remains limited to special medical cases. Prior approval is not needed for conservative treatments, though ÖGK recommends it for removable dentures.

Don’t forget the tax angle: dental costs not covered by the insurer can be claimed as extraordinary burden (außergewöhnliche Belastung) in your income tax return, provided they exceed the income-dependent deductible threshold. Keep the invoices and proof that the insurer did not cover the treatment.

Orthodontics: When Does the Insurer Pay for Braces?

Orthodontic treatment for children and teenagers is partially covered by Austrian health insurance. ÖGK pays for bite corrections under § 153 ASVG at certain severity levels – specifically IOTN grades 4a, 4f and 5a. Since 1 March 2026, services at IOTN grades 3a and 3f have been removed, as the Chamber of Dentists reports.

The collective agreement for orthodontics (§ 153a ASVG) – the so-called free braces – is not affected by these bylaw changes. For orthodontic treatment, patients pay a 20 percent co-payment. Adults generally receive no subsidies for braces – for them orthodontics is a purely private service.

Before treatment, ÖGK requires a treatment and cost plan and an assessment by the Dental Medical Service. The coverage decision is based on severity and medical necessity – not on aesthetic wishes.

Children and Teenagers: Free Dental Treatment

For children and teenagers up to 18 years of age, the co-payment for conservative and surgical dental treatment is waived. This means: fillings, root canals and extractions are free for young patients at a contract dentist. Fissure sealing of permanent molars is also part of the benefit catalogue.

The exception is orthodontics: the 20 percent co-payment applies to children as well. Parents can also use the ÖGK dental health centres, which offer special tariffs for paediatric treatment.

Those who have the choice should bet on prevention: regular check-ups and fissure sealing are the cheapest medicine. ÖGK fully covers the tariff costs of contracted services – patient wishes remain a private matter.

— Austrian Health Insurance Fund, dental treatment services overview

ÖGK Dental Health Centres: The Budget-Friendly Alternative

The ÖGK dental health centres are a feature of the Austrian system: 61 centres across the country treat patients with salaried dentists at fixed, affordable tariffs. According to a report by profil.at, around 270,000 fillings were placed there in 2025 – 5.5 percent more than in 2024.

The distribution, however, is uneven: Vienna has eight centres, while residents of Burgenland have just a single one in Eisenstadt. In rural areas these practices are often hard to reach – a point of criticism raised by the Chamber of Dentists towards ÖGK.

That dentistry is becoming a luxury for many people is shown by a report by profil.at about real patient cases: an invalid pensioner paid 430 euros for two fillings including anaesthetic and got only 85 euros back from the insurer – the bill had to be paid in instalments. Such examples underline how important realistic cost planning is before treatment. The climate between ÖGK and the Austrian Chamber of Dentists is tense: in response to profil’s requests, both sides referred to official communication.

The tariffs at the centres are transparent: a composite filling costs 90.40 to 170.30 euros depending on the number of surfaces, professional cleaning 83.70 euros, a full ceramic zirconia crown 888 euros. The current ÖGK tariff list sets a fixed price for every service – no hidden costs.

How to Submit Your Dental Bill for Reimbursement

If you were treated by a private dentist (Wahlzahnarzt), submit the bill to your health insurer. Usually, the original invoice and the reimbursement form are enough – both can be uploaded via the ÖGK service portal. The refund is transferred to your bank account.

For prosthetics and orthodontics, a different rule applies: apply for cost coverage from ÖGK before treatment starts. For this, you and your dentist create a Heil- und Kostenplan (treatment and cost plan) listing the planned services and costs. Only after approval by the Dental Medical Service is cost coverage guaranteed.

Your e-card is the ticket to all benefits: it is free, but an annual service fee is collected – for 2026 this is 26.85 euros according to the WKO, deducted by the employer each November. Without a valid e-card, a contract dentist cannot provide treatment. Those exempt from the prescription fee also pay no service fee – the application goes through ÖGK or the oesterreich.gv.at portal.

Expats comparing systems will find our overview of healthcare financing in Germany useful – the German and Austrian approaches to dental coverage differ significantly.

Important: the reimbursement is 80 percent of the contract dentist tariff, not 80 percent of the actual fee. The difference can be substantial. Always request a cost estimate before treatment and compare – or stick with a contract dentist if you want to minimise expenses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Austrian health insurance pay for teeth cleaning? Generally no. Professional cleaning is not a public insurance benefit: it costs 100 to 200 euros at private practices and 83.70 euros at the ÖGK centre. Only in special medical cases does ÖGK contribute.

How much does a dental filling cost in Austria? At a contract dentist, a glass ionomer or alkasite filling on a molar is free. A white composite filling on a back tooth costs 90.40 to 170.30 euros at the ÖGK centre – considerably more at a private dentist.

Does Krankenkasse pay for dental implants? Generally not. Implants are a private service. Only in special medical cases – after oncology surgery or with cleft lip and palate – subsidies are paid after approval.

How high is the co-payment for dentures? Since 1 May 2026, the co-payment for essential dentures is 30 percent (previously 25). Insured persons exempt from the prescription fee pay 20 percent.

Can I deduct dental costs from my taxes? Yes. Out-of-pocket dental expenses can be claimed as extraordinary burden in your tax return if they exceed the income-dependent deductible threshold. Keep invoices and proof of the insurer’s benefits.

What is the difference between a contract dentist and a private dentist? At a contract dentist (Vertragszahnarzt) you pay with your e-card and only cover the treatment contribution. At a private dentist you pay the full bill first and receive 80 percent of the contract dentist tariff back – the difference to the actual fee stays with you.

Conclusion: Dentist Visits Without Surprises

Health insurance in Austria covers more at the dentist than many people think – but by no means everything. Our checklist for your next visit:

• Choose a contract dentist for standard treatments such as fillings, root canals and tartar removal – free or with a minimal co-payment.
• Submit a treatment and cost plan before prosthetics or orthodontics and wait for ÖGK approval.
• Calculate private dentist refunds realistically: 80 percent of the tariff, not of the bill.
• Use the ÖGK dental health centres if you want to save money – fixed tariffs with no surprises.
• For children: conservative treatment is free up to age 18, orthodontics with a 20 percent share.

Before any major treatment, check the ÖGK benefit list and get a cost estimate. This way you avoid unpleasant surprises at the practice reception. Did you know that the insurer also covers medically prescribed training therapy? Read our overview of insurance payment pitfalls and follow the developments in the Austrian healthcare system. Subscribe to our newsletter so you never miss changes to Krankenkasse benefits.