Healthcare Abroad

Did you know that under EU law you have the right to consult a healthcare provider, hospital or pharmacist (cross-border healthcare) in an EU/EEA country or Switzerland and to enjoy assumption of medical costs by your national statutory health insurance in your home country?

Two possible ways
1) Social Security Regulations (EC) 883/2004 and 987/2009
2) Directive 2011/24/EU on patients’ rights in cross-border healthcare

Need urgent medical care abroad?

When travelling abroad, you may need urgent medical care due to a sudden illness or an accident. Make sure you are well informed in order to have access to healthcare or claim reimbursement of health costs you paid for. Learn more...

Planned medical care abroad with prior authorization

As insured persons in an EU-social security system, you have the right to travel abroad for the purpose of accessing healthcare, also known as planned healthcare, especially in cases where the healthcare necessary is not available domestically or its provision is not possible within the medically justified time for your state of health. In most cases, planned healthcare abroad requires the prior authorization of your statutory health insurance service. Learn more...

Moving abroad in the EU

If you are an EU citizen and plan to live in another EU country, keep in mind that you may find a different social security system, including health insurance coverage. The procedure you must follow depends on your case, the length of your stay and the terms of your current health insurance coverage. Before you go abroad, you should make sure that you understand well what applies to your case. Learn more...

Health services abroad

The EU countries are free to set their own rules on entitlements to healthcare benefits and services as well as organize and finance their national health systems independently. To avoid serious problems and misunderstandings when travelling or moving to another country in the EU, contact the national contact point for cross-border healthcare of the country you are visiting. Learn more...

Last Update: 19 February 2025