Preventive Health Check-Up in Vienna: 3 Options for Non-German Speakers
Moving to Vienna and want to get on top of your health here? Or your doctor told you about the Austrian "Gesundenuntersuchung", and now you're wondering what that even is? Either way, if you don't speak German, even booking a simple preventive check-up can feel like a project of its own. Which doctor will actually understand you? Do you need insurance for this? Where do you even start?
The good news: you don't need fluent German to get a thorough, doctor-led preventive medical check-up in Vienna. Here are your three main options, explained.
Option 1: Private Preventive Check-Up (PVU) with Supplementary Insurance
If you have private supplementary health insurance in Austria, most likely with UNIQA, Wiener Städtische, Generali, or Donau, you might be entitled to a thorough preventive check-up ("Vorsorgecheck") as part of your policy. Depending on your package, it's either free once a year or free every two years.
At haelsi in Vienna's 2nd district, several of our preventive care doctors speak English fluently, so you can go through your entire check-up (lab work, ultrasound, heart and lung checks, and the follow-up consultation) without a language barrier. You can see which doctor speaks which language when you are booking your appointment online. You'll get direct billing with your insurer too, so there's no paperwork to chase afterwards.
This is usually the most thorough option, since it includes blood work, urine analysis, a cardiovascular check, a detailed consultation where your doctor walks you through your results and more.
Option 2: haelsi's Own Preventive Check-Up (No Insurance Required) - haelsi Vorsorgecheck
Don't have supplementary insurance? You can still get a comprehensive preventive check-up at haelsi as a self-pay patient, again with English-speaking doctors.
The haelsi Preventive Check-Up runs across two short appointments: a quick lab visit (about 15 minutes) for your blood and urine samples, followed a few days later by the full examination and doctor's consultation (roughly 1.5 to 2 hours), where you'll get your results explained in detail.
It's available at a self-pay rate, at a reduced rate for haelsi Basic members, and free once a year for haelsi Rundum members. All prices and package details are available when you book.
You can find out more about the haelsi memberships here.
Option 3: The Free Public Check-Up (Gesundenuntersuchung)
Austria's public health system offers every resident aged 18 and over a free preventive check-up once per year. It's usually done by a GP or at a health centre with a Vorsorgeuntersuchung contract, and it's more basic than the private options above (mainly blood and urine work, a physical exam, and a short consultation).
This option isn't currently available at haelsi. If you'd like to use it, the Austrian social insurance service line can point you to a doctor near you (0800 501 522, or vorsorgeuntersuchung.at), though keep in mind that English-speaking availability will depend on the individual GP or centre you're referred to.
Which Option Should You Choose?
If you already have supplementary insurance, Option 1 gives you the most complete check-up at no extra cost. If you don't, Option 2 gets you the same English-speaking, doctor-led experience at haelsi as a self-pay patient. Option 3 is worth knowing about as a free public alternative, though it's a narrower check and not something haelsi currently offers.
Book Your Check-Up in English at haelsi
Ready to get checked out, in a language you're actually comfortable in? Book your preventive check-up online at haelsi in Vienna's 2nd district and choose an appointment with one of our English-speaking preventive care doctors.
