Prescription fees will rise in 2025: This is how low earners benefit!

Prescription fees will rise in 2025: This is how low earners benefit!

In 2025, the prescription fee for medicines in Austria will be increased to 7.50 euros, which was announced by the Austrian Health Insurance Fund (ÖGK). This annual adjustment occurs in accordance with the General Social Security Act (ASVG) and is based on the revaluation number, which is expected to be 1.063. People with special health needs will be particularly affected by this increase, but relief is also in sight. Certain groups, including people with notifiable diseases such as AIDS, are exempt from the prescription fee. Anyone who has high medication costs over the course of a year can be exempt from the fee if they exceed two percent of their annual net income. This automatic relief takes place without application as soon as the threshold is exceeded ÖGK reports.

Regulations and exemption options

The rules for exemption from additional payments are clear: Insured persons must, for example, make up to 600.26 euros in additional payments for 2024 with a family income of 30,013 euros to be taken into account. For chronically ill people, this limit is reduced; they only have to pay up to 300.13 euros. People who receive social assistance or basic security have an annual limit of just 135.12 euros, which noticeably reduces the financial burden. As soon as the personal load limit has been reached, affected people can apply for an exemption certificate from their health insurance company, although this must be renewed every calendar year, as follows consumer advice center shows.