EU citizens have the right to access healthcare in any EU country and to be reimbursed for care abroad by their home country.

The legal framework

​Directive 2011/24/EU on patients’ rights in cross-border healthcare sets out the conditions under which a patient may travel to another EU country to receive medical care and reimbursement. It covers healthcare costs, as well as the prescription and delivery of medications and medical devices.

The Directive is implemented and completed by:

• Commission delegated decision defining the criteria and conditions that healthcare providers and the ERNs should fulfil
• Commission implementing decision defining criteria for establishing and evaluating ERNs
• Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2019/1269 of 26 July 2019 amending Implementing Decision 2014/287/EU

The Directive makes it easier to access:

• Information on available healthcare in other European countries
• Alternative healthcare options, and/or specialised treatment abroad.

The provisions strike the right balance between maintaining the sustainability of health systems, while protecting patients' right to seek treatment outside their home country.

The Directive:

• Creates a network of National Contact Points to provide clear, accurate information on cross-border healthcare
• Creates EU rules on a minimum list of elements to be included in a medical prescription taken from one EU country to another (cross-border prescription)
• Encourages further development of European Reference Networks of medical expertise, broadening cooperation between EU countries, with added benefits to health technology assessments and e-health.

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