SVS (Sozialversicherung der Selbständigen) letter explained in English
Social insurance for the self-employed. Health, pension and accident insurance for self-employed people and farmers. It sends a bill every quarter.
Letters you may get
- Beitragsvorschreibung — your quarterly bill
- Nachbemessung — the final amount after your tax assessment, often a back payment
- Mahnung — unpaid contributions
What to do
- The first bills are only provisional. After your tax assessment they recalculate (Nachbemessung), which can mean a big back payment. Put money aside.
- You can ask them to raise your payments now, so the back payment later is smaller.
- Find the deadline. Look for “Frist”, “bis zum”, “innerhalb”.
- Write the reference number from the letter on everything you send back, and keep copies.
- If you disagree with a decision, object in writing before the deadline (“Beschwerde”, “Vorstellung”, “Einspruch”, “Beschwerde”). See the template.
Questions
What is the SVS (Sozialversicherung der Selbständigen)?
Social insurance for the self-employed. Health, pension and accident insurance for self-employed people and farmers. It sends a bill every quarter.
How long do I have to answer a letter from the SVS (Sozialversicherung der Selbständigen)?
It depends on the letter. Look for words like “Frist”, “bis zum”, “innerhalb” — they mark the deadline. In Austria, an official letter sent by normal post usually counts as delivered on the 3rd working day after it was posted. A registered letter (RSa or RSb) counts as delivered on the day you get it — or, if you were not home, usually on the first day you can pick it up at the post office. To object, the letter usually names the way to do it (“Beschwerde”, “Vorstellung”, “Einspruch”, “Beschwerde”).
Can I read a SVS (Sozialversicherung der Selbständigen) letter in English?
Yes. Take a photo of the letter with Briefly. It explains the letter in plain English, finds the deadline and the amount, and gives you ready-made replies in German. Your letter never leaves your device.
Other offices in Austria
Finanzamt Österreich · Familienbeihilfe (Finanzamt Österreich) · AMS (Arbeitsmarktservice) · Magistrat / Bezirkshauptmannschaft · MA 35 / Niederlassungsbehörde · Meldeamt / Meldeservice · ÖGK (Österreichische Gesundheitskasse) · Pensionsversicherungsanstalt (PVA)