In an overview the situation of telemedicine in Austria is presented regarding the Austrian health service with the focus on patients. First the term "telemedicine" is defined according to the present definition of the European Union and the situation of the Austrian health service. Afterwards individual success components for the planning of telemedicine projects are presented. These are briefly shown by the "five-column concept" of the Tyrolean Government, which includes the medical, legal, economic, technical and quality management-oriented aspects during the planning and evaluation period of telemedicine projects. The conclusion gives an overview of individual committees and activities of the Austrian medical universities, the federation and states as well as individual Austrian telemedical societies.