Physiotherapy

Physiotherapist follow a structured process: based on medical findings, they will make a physiotherapy-specific diagnosis. Together with the patient, they will determine an individual therapy goal and a treatment plan, which they then implement using various methods.

Physiotherapists use exercise therapy, respiratory therapy, ultrasound treatments or therapeutic massages, for example. Physiotherapy is also used to prevent certain illnesses, to treat pain and in palliative care. After accidents, injuries, operations or restricted movement, physiotherapy helps you to improve your mobility and physical resilience. In a best-case scenario, specific movement patterns and overall mobility can be restored, thereby improving quality of life.

You can receive physiotherapy, for example

  • as an outpatient, i.e. in a rehabilitation facility, in hospital, in an outpatient clinic run by your social insurance provider, in a facility for people with disabilities, in an institute for physical medicine or in a day centre,
  • as an inpatient, i.e. during a stay in a rehabilitation centre, medical treatment facility or hospital, in a care facility, hospice or facility for people with disabilities,
  • in a physiotherapy practice or as part of a home visit,
  • in kindergartens and schools as well as through workplace programmes offered by many companies and businesses.

If you make use of physiotherapy as a medical treatment, for example after an injury, an operation or a stroke, you will need a referral from your family doctor or from a specialist. If you would like to see a physiotherapist as part of preventive healthcare, you don’t need a referral.

If you visit a contract physiotherapist, the treatment is usually free of charge, provided that your health insurance provider has a contract with the chosen therapist. In many cases, your referral will also need to be approved by the head physician and you need to obtain authorisation from your health insurance provider. For more information, get in touch with your health insurance provider.

If you visit an elective physiotherapist, you will have to cover the costs of the treatment yourself. However, you can submit a claim to be reimbursed for parts of the costs through your social insurance provider. To make a claim, your social insurance provider needs to approve your referral and you will have to submit your invoices for physiotherapy. For more information, get in touch with your social insurance provider.

A list of all physiotherapists who have a contract with the Österreichische Gesundheitskasse can be found under the following link:

List of contract physiotherapists - ÖGK

If you are  insured with SVS (Social Insurance for the Self-Employed) you can find further information here:

Information on physiotherapy – SVS

If you are insured with SVS,  you can find a list of healthcare facilities here:

List of SVS healthcare facilities

If you are with BVAEB (Insurance Institution for Public Servants, Railways and Mining), you can find more information under the following link:

Information on physiotherapy - BVAEB

If you are insured with KFA (Krankenfürsorgeanstalt der Bediensteten der Stadt Wien/Healthcare institution for employees of the City of Vienna) you can find information here:

Information on physiotherapy – KFA

Information on finding a physiotherapist yourself can be found here:

Last update: October 14, 2025