FAQs at a glance

Plasma is the liquid part of the blood (approx. 55%). It is yellowish, clear and consists mainly of water, proteins (volume, defense against infection), salts (electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, calcium), enzymes, hormones and important nutrients (e.g. glucose).

When you donate blood, you give about half a liter of blood with all its components (red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets). When you donate plasma, only the plasma is collected - a yellowish liquid that is full of valuable proteins. All other blood components flow directly back into your body. Normally, your body will have replaced the plasma after 48 hours.

Your plasma is processed into vital medicines - e.g. for people with immunodeficiency or enzyme deficiency, haemophilia (= haemophilia), for seriously injured people or burn victims, during operations and as a passive vaccination (quick but short-term protection against an infection or its consequences such as rabies, tetanus, measles, snake bites, rhesus prophylaxis during pregnancy). Because plasma cannot be produced artificially, every single donation counts.

The actual donation takes about 30-45 minutes. During this time, you can relax and enjoy some me-time.

In principle, anyone who feels physically and mentally healthy can donate plasma:

• From the age of 18 (up to a maximum of 60 at the time of the initial examination)
• Between 50 and 150 kg
• Resident in Austria or neighboring countries (proof required)
• Valid official photo ID
• No acute illnesses
• No medical or invasive cosmetic procedures in the last few months

This depends on the medication. For example, most blood pressure medications, antihistamines, cholesterol-lowering drugs or contraceptives are allowed when donating plasma. For painkillers such as ibuprofen, you should wait 24 hours after the last dose. Approx. 4 weeks after taking antibiotics. Please ask our doctors at the donation center during the initial examination, they will clarify whether your medication intake is compatible with plasma donation.

Yes, if it has been at least 4 months since your last tattoo or piercing appointment. After this safety break, you can make an appointment for an examination at the donation center.

• Drink 1.5-2 liters of water or diluted juice
• Eat enough (carbohydrates + proteins)
• Be well rested and feel healthy

If you fulfill all these requirements, you will be optimally prepared for the plasma donation.

Take time to rest, treat yourself to a drink at the donation center and avoid extreme activities such as competitive sports or going to the sauna on this day.

There must be 72 hours between two plasma donations. You can donate up to 50 times in your personal reference year.

The "reference year" refers to your personal donation year. It begins with your 1st plasma donation. This date always remains the same as the reference date.

Yes, in many cases, but not in an acute phase. It is best to discuss this with your doctor at the donation center.

Unfortunately not for some diseases, e.g. HIV, hepatitis, cancer, epilepsy or severe organ diseases. Drug use, chronic alcoholism or certain autoimmune diseases also make it impossible to donate. Call the donation center. Our doctor will be able to give you detailed information.

If you don't feel fit: take a break. Postpone your appointment and come back as soon as you feel healthy.

Don't worry: the puncturing at the beginning only feels like a small prick. Afterwards you can sit back and relax for 30-45 minutes.

Donating plasma from two different providers is not permitted by the authorities. You can easily switch to us: Contact us at the donation center of your choice for an appointment for an initial test. We will then explain everything else to you.

• A valid official photo ID
• Your registration form
• Some time: for the health questionnaire, blood sample and medical examination

No donation will be made during this initial examination.

• For chronic diseases such as:
  • HIV, hepatitis
  • all cancers
  • Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
  • Epilepsy in adulthood or severe heart/nervous diseases
• After drug use or medication abuse
• With certain autoimmune diseases
• While taking certain medications
• If you are not feeling well

There are situations where you need to take a short break:

• New tattoos or piercings (4 months)
• Traveling to risk areas (individual)
• Low IgG value (donor-specific)
• Infectious diseases such as influenza, childhood illnesses (1-4 weeks)
• Surgical procedures, major dental treatment (1-4 weeks)
• Sexual risk behavior (4-12 months)
• Pregnancy/breastfeeding period (break up to 6 months after birth + or end of breastfeeding period)

Your weight, pulse and blood pressure are checked before each donation. In addition, your blood values are checked (blood count, total protein and immunoglobulin G) and an infection test is carried out. There is a medical check-up every 4 months.

The 4-month check-up is a routine clinical examination of the donor by the doctor, including a discussion about any changes. If no reason for exclusion is found here, you may go straight to the donation room to donate.

Our team in the donation room is there for you the whole time and ensures that you feel comfortable with us around the clock. You will be given something to drink and there is a doctor on site at every donation center during opening hours.

Because you can make a big difference with a small gesture. Plasma cannot be produced artificially, which means that every donation counts all the more. With your good deed, you can help patients who are dependent on plasma-derived medication to lead a normal life. That is a great feeling. And: For your time invested, you will receive €40 per donation as compensation.

Our buddy program is very simple: Motivate your friends, family or acquaintances and go with them to their first donation. For each person you accompany, you will receive €30 (divided between the first 3 donations of the person you have recruited, €10 for each donation).

Yes, we thank you for your loyalty with little specials. Just ask the next time you visit the center - they'll tell you more.

You can find us here:

• Vienna: 1090 and 1210
• Lower Austria: Hainburg, Retz, St. Pölten and from the beginning of 2026 in Krems
• Burgenland: Kittsee and Oberwart
• Styria: Seiersberg and Leoben

The "reference year" refers to your personal donation year. It begins with your 1st plasma donation. This date always remains the same as the reference date.

Your weight must be between 50 and 150 kg and you must be at least 18 and a maximum of 60 years old as a first-time donor. You fill out a health questionnaire and we clarify your medical history and any medication you are taking. Before your first donation, we will check your blood pressure, heart rate, hemoglobin (oxygen transport) and hematocrit (blood cell count), leukocytes (white blood cells) and erythrocytes (red blood cells) and MVC (red blood cell count). These tests are carried out with every donation, with an even more thorough medical examination before the first donation and then periodically every four months.

With every donation, we test the donor blood for hepatitis, HIV and parvo B-19. We also measure the concentration of immunoglobulin G and total protein in your blood at regular intervals and draw up a blood count. The laboratory values will also be made available to you for external medical appointments on request.

If you have any doubts as to whether you are a suitable donor, please let us know, as the lives of other people may be at stake. Knowingly providing false information will result in exclusion from our donation facilities. Official consequences cannot be ruled out if other people are harmed.

You can donate plasma with any blood group. Plasma is processed regardless of the blood group.

There is generally no reduction in physical performance after a plasma donation. Nevertheless, we advise against extreme physical activity on the day of donation.

There are no disadvantages for athletes when donating plasma. The only restriction is that the donor arm should not be subjected to heavy mechanical strain for a few hours immediately after a plasma donation (e.g. weight lifting). Usual sports (not in an extreme form!) such as jogging, soccer, fitness etc. or are possible without restriction.

Yes, donating plasma is even better for vegetarians than donating blood, as the donor hardly loses any red blood cells (and therefore iron) when donating plasma, unlike when donating blood. The haemoglobin level is measured before each plasma donation and must meet certain limits in order to be allowed to donate plasma.

In fact, there is a difference between the sexes in the plasma donation process: It is usually quicker for women than for men. The reason for this is that women simply have more blood plasma than men.

While plasma makes up 50 to 59 percent of the blood volume in men, it is 54 to 73 percent in women. The blood components are also different - on average, women have less haemoglobin in their blood. This iron-containing protein complex binds oxygen to the erythrocytes and gives them their red color - and prolongs the donation process.

No. A new, sterile disposable set is used for the entire donation process. This disposable set is hygienically sealed. The blood and blood plasma circulate exclusively in this disposable set and have no contact with the environment. There is no possibility of coming into contact with foreign blood or other material.

You can also donate platelets at our donation center in Vienna 9. The time required is slightly longer, around 50-70 minutes, the blood circulating outside the body is less than for plasma donation and the type of machine used is different. If you are interested in donating platelets, just talk to our doctor. To be able to donate platelets, however, you must have donated plasma with us at least once and not everyone who is eligible to donate plasma can also donate platelets.

Although regular examinations as part of plasma donation in Austria and the statutory preventive medical check-ups both focus on health aspects, they differ significantly in terms of their objectives, scope and medical requirements. Under no circumstances should you skip the preventive medical check-ups because of your plasma donation examinations.