First-/Second-level emergency medical technicians – Qualifications – Recognition

Federal Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection
Radetzkystraße 2
1031 Vienna

email: anerkennung@sozialministerium.at

Administration fees are approximately 250 Euro. The fees have to be paid after completion of the procedure.

This application is for:

• First-level emergency medical technician
• Second-level emergency medical technician

The Federal Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection [ Bundesministerium für Arbeit, Soziales, Gesundheit, Pflege und Konsumentenschutz ] is the competent authority for the recognition of equivalence of a diploma acquired in the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland for first-level and second-level emergency medical technicians.

Working in Austria without the state recognition or employing such persons, is an administrative offence, punishable by a fine. It may also be subject to personal liability consequences under criminal and civil law.

Levels of activities in Austria

The current Austrian legal situation distinguishes among the following levels of activities of emergency medical technicians:

• First-level emergency medical technician
• Second-level emergency medical technician
• Second-level emergency medical technician with general emergency qualifications regarding pharmacology
• Second-level emergency medical technician with general emergency qualifications regarding venous access and infusion
• Second-level emergency medical technician with special emergency qualifications regarding artificial respiration and intubation

Emergency medical technicians may perform their tasks

• as volunteers ( ehrenamtliche Tätigkeit ) or
• as employees ( berufliche Tätigkeit ).

section 18 of the Sanitätergesetz (SanG)

• Online-Application for health professions ( → BMASGPK ) ^{German text}
• Supplement: Authorization of the recipient ( → BMASGPK ) ^{German text}

A written application can be submitted in person, by post or by electronic means.

In case of significant differences between the national qualification and the Austrian qualification, recognition can be granted only on the basis of compensation measures (either completion of adaptation training or an aptitude test in an Austrian training institution).

The process can be expected to take four months .

Appeals may be submitted to the Federal Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection in writing within four weeks after receiving the decision.

• Application
• Curriculum vitae
• Austrian residence permit or Austrian postal address with an authorised recipient for formal delivery (written authorisation!)
• Formal qualification confirming officially recognized and successfully completed training in an EU Member State, EEA -State or in Switzerland
• Attestation certifying that the applicant is legally established in a Member State for the purpose of pursuing the activities concerned and that she/he is not prohibited from practising, even temporarily, at the moment of delivering the attestation
• Diploma supplement /syllabus stating the ECTS credit value for each course
• A valid entitlement (not older than one year) to use an automated external defibrillator ( AED )
• If possible/available proof of professional experience
• Evidence of citizenship , valid passport or personal identification document (copy)
• Police clearance certificate from the country of origin, issued within the last three months. Please note: Police clearance certificates from Croatia and Slovenia issued by Ministry of Justice only. An Austrian Criminal Record Certificate is only accepted in connection with the police clearance from the country of origin.
• Medical certificate (issued by a general practitioner within the last three months) confirming that the applicant fulfills all health requirements for the profession
• In case the applicant's name differs from the name shown on the diploma or on the certificate, a wedding or divorce certificate or any other official document proving the change of name must be submitted
• For applications as a second-level emergency medical technician with general/special emergency qualifications, certificates and documents covering practical and theoretical training in the following areas must be submitted:
  • Basic pharmacology
  • Venous access and infusions
  • Intubation and respiration

All documents and certificates (except evidence of citizenship) must be submitted either as originals or as copies authenticated by a court, a notary public or a municipal authority. Documents in other languages than German or English have to be translated by a certified court translator.

Non authenticated copies or untranslated documents are not accepted as evidence. After processing, all original documents will be returned immediately.

Diploma for first-level or second-level emergency medical technician, issued on the basis of a state certified training. Diploma have to be issued by the Government of an EEA -State or of Switzerland.