Citizens often turn to the European Parliament to ask how the European Union deals with Cross-border healthcare.
In the European Union (EU), national authorities are primarily responsible for organising and delivering health services and medical care. Action at EU level supports or complements national healthcare policies. The EU adopts laws that help its citizens to seek medical care in another EU country. It also provides funding to support EU countries’ healthcare systems.
Planned healthcare
Under EU law, you have the right to travel to another EU country to receive medical care (consultation with a specialist, surgery or treatment for a specific condition for instance), and the right to be reimbursed by your home country. There are two options for planned medical care in another EU country:
Your health insurer can cover costs directly, but only for public healthcare and with prior authorisation (S2 form). Costs are reimbursed at the same rate as they would be if you were a resident of the country where treatment is received.
You can pay, and claim reimbursement later. This option covers all providers, both public and private. Reimbursement is limited to the cost of the treatment in the home country, but only if you are entitled to that treatment at home.
A network of national contact points provide information on cross-border healthcare. In addition, European reference networks involving healthcare providers across Europe aim to exchange information and provide support on complex or rare diseases and to allow patients to benefit from treatment and advice available anywhere in the EU.
Unplanned healthcare (emergency)
Should you need unforeseen medical treatment while on holiday, a business trip or while studying in another EU country for a short period, you can use the European Health Insurance Card issued by your national health insurance provider. This card allows access to healthcare under the same conditions as local residents. Your expenses will be reimbursed according to the rules and rates of the country where the treatment was received.
Organ donation and transplantation
EU rules on organ donation lay down quality and safety standards for organs intended for transplantation. In particular, implementing rules have boosted cooperation between EU countries, leading to the cross-border exchange of human organs needed for transplantation.
Health data
In 2025, the EU adopted new legislation to create the European Health Data Space. Under the new rules, you will have faster and easier access to electronic health data, regardless of whether the data is stored in your home country or another EU country. The Health Data Space will improve the use of health data for research, innovation and policymaking, while ensuring data protection. The new framework will also provide a secure and trustworthy setting for accessing and processing health data. The rules will come into force in March 2027.
EU funding for health
The EU4Health programme for 2021-2027 provides €5.1 billion to strengthen and improve the coordination of European health systems, in particular in case of emergency. Its main objectives include strengthening health systems, and improving the availability and affordability of medicines. For more information, see this press release.
Further information
Building up resilience to cross-border health threats: Moving towards a European health union, Briefing, European Parliamentary Research Service, 2023
Organ donation and transplantation, Briefing, European Parliamentary Research Service, European Parliament, 2020
Public Health, Factsheet, European Parliament
Your Europe: Health, European Commission
Keep sending your questions to the Citizens’ Enquiries Unit (Ask EP)! We reply in the EU language that you use to write to us.
Ask EP
The Citizens' Enquiries Unit provides information on the activities, powers and organisation of the European Parliament. You ask, we answer.