Requirements for Free Braces

Not every child automatically receives free braces – but the rules are clear and easy to check. Here you will find all the requirements at a glance, a plain-language explanation of the IOTN grades and a checklist for parents.

Who gets free braces?

Free braces have been available in Austria since 1 July 2015. They provide substantial financial relief for thousands of families and give all children and teenagers under 18 with severe misalignments the opportunity to have their teeth corrected – and to go through the rest of their lives with a healthy, beautiful smile.

Every patient can take advantage of a free orthodontic consultation with a contract orthodontist up to their 18th birthday. During this consultation, the orthodontist checks whether the following requirements are met:

• At the start of treatment (fitting of the braces), the patient must be under 18 years old.
• The teeth show a complex misalignment according to the “Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need” (IOTN 4 or 5).
• Insurance with an Austrian public health insurance fund (e.g. ÖGK, BVAEB, SVS) – free braces are available throughout Austria, regardless of which federal province you live in.

What do IOTN 4 or 5 mean?

The IOTN (Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need) is an internationally recognised index that orthodontists use to objectively grade the need for treatment of a misalignment of the teeth or jaw. It ranges from grade 1 (no treatment needed) to grade 5 (very severe misalignment, treatment urgently required). Free braces are available from grade 4.

Examples of IOTN grade 4 and 5 misalignments (simplified)

The exact grading is based on defined measurements – for example, how far the upper front teeth protrude beyond the lower ones (overjet), how much space is missing, or whether teeth are unable to come through at all. Typical examples of grade 4 or 5 are:

• strongly protruding upper front teeth (overjet of more than 6 mm for grade 4, more than 9 mm for grade 5)
• a pronounced crossbite (lateral or anterior) with displacement of the lower jaw when biting
• severe crowding or displaced teeth that cannot come through on their own (impacted teeth)
• a pronounced open bite or a deep bite that injures the gums
• several missing (congenitally absent) teeth that require orthodontic treatment
• cleft lip and palate and other craniofacial anomalies (grade 5)

This list is only a guide. Whether your child actually meets grade 4 or 5 can only be determined by a contract orthodontist as part of the free initial consultation – a brief look is usually enough.

What is included in free braces?

If the requirements are met, the health insurance fund covers the entire treatment with the contract orthodontist. This includes:

• consultation, diagnostics and treatment planning (digital 3D scan or models, photos, X-rays)
• for children before their 10th birthday: interceptive treatment (early treatment) with removable braces for certain severe misalignments
• for children and teenagers with permanent teeth: the main treatment with fixed braces – metal brackets, bands, archwires, elastics – including all check-up appointments
• the first-time fabrication and fitting of retainers at the end of treatment so that the result remains stable

Not included are purely aesthetic extras such as white ceramic brackets, braces fitted on the inside of the teeth (lingual braces) or clear aligners. These are available as private services.

Checklist: does my child meet the requirements?

If these points apply (or if you are unsure), the next step is very simple: a free consultation. No referral needed, just the e-card.

What if my child does not meet the requirements?

If there is only a mild to moderate misalignment (IOTN 1 to 3), there are no free braces – but you are not on your own here either: the health insurance fund pays a subsidy subject to approval (currently €821.80 per year of treatment with the ÖGK, 2026 rate), many institutes offer interest-free instalment plans, and you can claim the costs as extraordinary expenses on your tax return. In addition, all methods are then open to you – including clear aligners. More on this in the frequently asked questions.

Where can you get free braces and what should you look out for?

When choosing your orthodontic practice, check whether it is one of the few contract institutes for free braces. Only contract orthodontists may carry out the IOTN assessment without prior approval – and only with them is the treatment guaranteed to be free of charge. You can find more information on choosing a practice and the providers in Vienna here:

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