The German healthcare group Fresenius and Österreichische Beteiligungs AG (ÖBAG) have agreed to implement a call/put option that has existed since 1996. ÖBAG will thus sell its remaining 13 percent stake in VAMED to the majority owner. The purchase price, which is based on the terms of the original privatization, has been kept confidential.

"With this step, we are relying on the exit agreement we agreed upon back in 1996," said Edith Hlawati, CEO of ÖBAG. "It was important to us that VAMED's assets be sold to partners who care about both the domestic thermal spa locations and rehabilitation facilities, as well as their employees," Hlawati continued.

Fresenius recently announced its structured exit from VAMED in order to create long-term development opportunities for the various VAMED business units under a new ownership structure. This includes the sale of VAMED's rehabilitation business announced several weeks ago and a recently reached agreement to sell VAMED's Austrian business activities (including Vienna General Hospital and the thermal baths) to Strabag and Porr.