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FAQs - Unforeseen medical treatment

European Health Insurance Card

  • Am I covered by the statutory health insurance in my home country when studying abroad during an Erasmus year?

    YES - The European Health Insurance Card covers you for necessary medical treatment during temporary stays abroad. However, your statutory health insurance might not cover you for the whole length of your stay abroad (for example, if you reach a certain age limit during your year abroad). Before leaving, check for what and how long you are covered, while studying abroad. 

  • How can I find out if a doctor works for the private or public health sector?

    If you need to see a doctor in another EU country for urgent medical treatment, ask whether he or she is affiliated to the public health care system and accepts the European Health Insurance Card (which you should get from your own public health care system before you leave home). Make it clear that you do not want to be treated as a private patient.

    More FAQs on the European Health Insurance Card

  • I am afraid of what will happen if I fall ill in a country where I don't speak the language.  Can I ask to be seen by a doctor who speaks my mother tongue?

    You have no legal right to be treated by a doctor in your mother tongue when you are abroad. You can always ask the hotel where you are staying, your embassy, or your health insurer back home - they might be able to recommend a doctor who can speak your language.

  • My employer has posted me to another EU country for two months. My wife is dependent on my health insurance, but is staying in our home country. Is she still covered?

    YES - Your being posted abroad to work does not affect your family's health insurance.

Visiting a doctor

  • Are there any examinations or treatments not covered by my health insurance when I visit a doctor abroad?

    It depends on whether your treatment is unforeseen or planned ahead. If you are insured in your home country and you stay temporarily abroad in another EU country, you are entitled to all necessary medical care and treatment you need to ensure your health and safety if you fall ill unexpectedly or have an accident. The European health insurance card will make it easier for you to get free medical care on the spot or be reimbursed if you have to pay up front.  However, medical staff are not obliged to provide certain kinds of treatment that can wait until you get home (most types of dental treatment, for example).

  • How can I find out if a doctor works for the private or public health sector?

    Before leaving home, find out about the statutory health care system in the country you are going to. If the country has a public health care system, ask whether any doctor you see for urgent medical treatment is affiliated to the public health care system. Make it clear that you do not want to be treated as a private patient.

    More FAQs on visiting a doctor abroad

  • I am afraid of what will happen if I fall ill in a country where I don't speak the language.  Can I ask to be seen by a doctor who speaks my mother tongue?

    You have no legal right to be treated by a doctor in your mother tongue when you are abroad. You can always ask the hotel where you are staying, your embassy, or your health insurer back home - they might be able to recommend a doctor who can speak your language.

  • In my home country, a doctor must study for five years and pass a specific exam to become a specialist, but in other countries there is no such exam. Does it mean that quality of treatment will vary?

    It is up to each country's government to establish the conditions for becoming a qualified specialist there.

Emergency medical treatment

  • If I have a chronic medical condition for which I have to see the doctor regularly and want to go to another Member State for a temporary stay, will the European Health Insurance Card cover me for medical treatment there?

    YES - If you have a chronic medical condition  (for example, in cases of asthma,  diabetes, or cancer) you are entitled, during your temporary stay in another Member State, to treatment that is considered necessary, taking into account your medical condition.

    However,  if your medical condition means that you need special medical surveillance, and in particular the use of special techniques or equipment (e.g. dialysis treatment), you may wish to organise your stay in advance to make sure that you will have access to the equipment or treatment you require. You can do this by contacting the local specialist medical unit in the country you will be visiting before you leave home.

  • I’m pregnant. Will the European Health Insurance Card cover medical treatment during a stay in another Member State?

    YES - The European Health Insurance Card covers all medical treatment in conjunction with your pregnancy, including child birth, while you are staying temporarily in another country.

    However, if you would like to give birth in another country, please contact your local health authority as you may need special authorisation (S2 form).

  • What should I do if, during or before my visit, I suddenly realise that I have forgotten or lost my card?

    If you have forgotten or lost your card, you can ask your local authority to fax or e-mail you a provisional replacement certificate. This will give you the same entitlement as the card does.

  • Would I be able to use the card to arrange to be transported back to my home country if I had a serious accident or suffered a serious illness?

    The card can be used to get easier access to medical treatment but it has nothing to do with repatriation. The card will not help transport you back home free of charge if you were to fall seriously ill or suffer a serious accident. For that situation, you will need separate insurance cover.

Expenses and reimbursement

  • How do I claim reimbursement for unforeseen medical treatment abroad?

    You can request reimbursement either directly from the health insurance authorities of the country you were visiting and received treatment it, or, if you were unable to do so during your stay, you can put in your claim with your insurance institution at home. The statutory health body to which you apply for reimbursement will tell you what procedure to follow.

  • My health insurer refuses to reimburse me for treatment I received while on a business trip to another EU country. What should I do?

    If you need help, there are European assistance services that help you with legal advice or mediation with your national health care provider.

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