Cross-Border Healthcare in the European Union (EU)

Directive 2011/24/EU on the application of patients’ rights in cross-border healthcare is configured as a new framework that broadens the possibilities of healthcare in the countries of the European Area because it guarantees the right of European Union citizens to receive safe, high-quality public or private healthcare in another EU Member State.

The cross-border healthcare regulated in the Directive is an additional possibility to the healthcare referred to in existing Regulations on the Coordination of Social Security Systems, Regulation (EC) No 883/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 on the coordination of social security systems and Regulation (EC) No 987/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 September 2009 laying down the procedure for implementing Regulation (EC) No 883/2004 on the coordination of social security systems, which usually apply when a citizen travels or temporarily resides in another EU Member State or if its competent health authority refers a citizen to another EU Member State's health service.

A person who chooses and receives Cross-Border Healthcare will pay for the costs arising from it. The person may subsequently apply for the reimbursement of such costs in his/her country of affiliation (the Member State where the patient is insured or where he/she is entitled to healthcare benefits in accordance with its legislation).

In some cases, this type of care requires prior authorisation for the provision of healthcare by the entity responsible for insuring the patient in his/her country of affiliation.

• Citizen Insured in Spain
• Citizen Insured in another EU Member State

Links

• Information Units. Regional Authorities and Mutual Societies
• EU national contact points
• Private providers' contact points
• European Commission website