Health

Health coverage during a short stay abroad

If you are a national of an EU Member State and are suddenly taken ill while staying temporarily abroad-for holiday, business trip or spuds- entitled to any kind of health care that should be provided to you immediately, before they return home. You have the same health care rights as citizens insured in the country where you are.

When traveling abroad should always take with you the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). This card is a tangible proof that you are insured in a EU member state and will simplify the payment and refund procedures expenses.

If you do not have the European Health Insurance Card or can not use it (eg because it is a private health care) cannot be denied access to treatment, but may be asked to pay and then claim reimbursement of costs when you return home.

The procedures governing the unscheduled healthcare (in case of sudden illness) and planned health care (if you are traveling abroad specifically for medical treatment purposes) differ significantly.

Application for issuing the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)

In some countries, the European Health Insurance Card is issued together with the health booklet. In others, you must request it separately. Normally, you need not pay anything. You are entitled to receive it free from your English insurer before you leave your home.

Some epitidioi have created web sites from which you can order your European Health Insurance Card with a fee. Never use such sites: to communicate directly with your health insurance provider.

Ask your public insurer how far your health insurance covers your family members.

More information on the European Health Insurance Card:

Please note that the European Commission is not responsible for the content of external websites.

Restrictions on the use of the European Health Insurance Card:

The Non-EU nationals can not use the European Health Insurance Card for medical treatment in Denmark

The Croatian nationals can not use the European Health Insurance Card in Switzerland

This card can not help you rescue and repatriation. To return to free your country due to serious illness or accident while visiting another EU country, you will need separate insurance cover.

The card does not cover private health care or the costs planned healthcare in another EU country.

Example

Make additional travel insurance

Sven, a Swedish national, traveled to France to visit and explore caves. In one of his explorations, trapped in a cave and had to intervene French rescuers. When he returned home, he received a "bitter" account had to pay in full as the European Health Insurance Card does not cover search and rescue costs.

Unscheduled care: payments and reimbursements

With the European Health Insurance Card

If you need medical care while you are in another EU Member State, the presentation of the European Health Insurance Card can simplify the payment and refund procedures expenses.

With this card, you can get treatment - and to request a refund of your expenses - under the same conditions as apply to nationals of the country you are in. If the care you need is free to residents of the country you will not have to pay. If the care is paid for, you can either ask for reimbursement by the national body while you are still in the country and receive immediate reimbursement of your expenses in that country, or to request reimbursement from your health insurance provider when you return to the country your. Medical expenses will be reimbursed according to what is applicable in the country where you received health care. So whether you will be refunded the full cost of care or the patient's participation will keep you in accordance with the rules of the country where you received care. Alternatively, your insurer may decide to refund the full amount in accordance with their own rules.

Example

Find out about social security rules in the country you are visiting

Anna is covered by public health insurance system of the country A. EU and is for oligomines studies in EU country B. It has with the European Insurance Card issued in the country A. It is pregnant and will give birth in country B. The pregnancy and childbirth are considered an emergency and therefore Anna would receive the necessary healthcare in country B if they can supply the European health Insurance Card and identity.

Anna will take care in country B as if they were insured in that country. This means that if treatment is free for insured citizens of country B, will be free for Anna. If the system provides for payment of care and then reimbursement, Anna will pay the same amount to the insured citizens of the country and will then submit a request for reimbursement of medical expenses. He must submit the application in country B, where it will receive the same rate of refund expenses insured in that country (country B will then approach the Anne in A insurance company to pay for).

If the only reason stay Anne in country B was to give birth there, there would possibly accept the European Health Insurance Card: should regulate the issue of birth abroad before traveling to country B. In this way, it would be able to know in time what expenses can be covered.