For numerous pensioners in Austria, a new financial burden will arise in November 2026. For the first time, many of them will have to pay the annual E-Card service fee of 26.85 euros. The amount will be automatically deducted from the pension.

As reported by „Heute“ citing Finanz.at, the change affects more than two million people. Previously, pensioners were generally exempt from this fee. This general exemption is now being removed for a large portion of those affected.

However, there are important exceptions. For example, those who receive a compensatory allowance generally do not have to pay the service fee.

The new payment obligation will take effect for the first time in November 2026. The legal deadline for the E-Card service fee is November 15. The amount of 26.85 euros already applies to the calendar year 2027.

Pensioners do not have to transfer anything themselves or submit an application. The responsible pension insurance automatically deducts the amount. Important: This is an annual fee. Therefore, the pension is not reduced by 26.85 euros every month. For those affected without an exemption, the deduction occurs once in November.

Not only the new payment obligation for pensioners is causing changes. The amount of the service fee has also significantly increased in a short period. For the year 2025, the amount was still 13.80 euros. For 2026, it rose to 25 euros. In 2027, it amounts to 26.85 euros.

This means the fee for 2027 is 13.05 euros or approximately 95 percent above the amount of 2025. However, for pensioners who were previously generally exempt, the most crucial aspect is that they now have to pay the fee for the first time.

Not all pensioners are affected by the new payment obligation. In particular, people who receive a compensatory allowance are exempt. This benefit is intended to top up low pension incomes to a legally prescribed standard rate under certain conditions.

Also, individuals who are exempt from the prescription fee due to special social protection needs generally do not have to pay an E-Card service fee. However, an important distinction concerns the prescription fee cap.

Those who have reached this annual cap and therefore do not have to pay any further prescription fees for the rest of the year are not automatically exempt from the E-Card fee.

The new fee comes at a time when pensioners must also expect further financial changes. From January 2027, pensions up to a total monthly pension income of 6930 euros gross are expected to increase by 2.95 percent.

Those above this threshold will receive a fixed amount of 204.44 euros, according to the report. The standard rates for the compensatory allowance will be increased by 3.3 percent. The inflation rate relevant for the pension adjustment is stated to be around 3.35 percent. Thus, the percentage increase for many pensioners falls short of this value.

Additionally, health insurance contributions have already increased. The new E-Card service fee represents another annual expense for the affected pensioners.

According to the report, no action is necessary for the payment itself. The responsible pension insurance automatically deducts the E-Card service fee from the pension. Affected individuals therefore do not need to fill out a payment slip or make a separate transfer.

Anyone unsure whether an exemption applies can inquire about their status with the responsible health or pension insurance. Especially in the case of low pensions or an existing prescription fee exemption, an individual clarification may be useful.

The new regulation applies nationwide in Austria and therefore also affects pensioners in Vienna. For individuals without the corresponding exemption, the annual E-Card service fee of 26.85 euros will be charged once in November 2026.

How many people in Vienna are specifically affected by the new payment obligation cannot currently be determined.

A breakdown by Vienna districts is also not available. According to the reported regulations, it is clear: those affected do not need to transfer the money themselves. The deduction is made automatically.

(Ed.)

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