Briefing Paper: Cross-border EU healthcare directive
Updated on Tuesday, 16 February 2016,
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’if you are entitled to it here, then you can get it there.’
Introduction
The EU Directive on cross-border healthcare1 came into effect in England and Wales on 25 October 20132. In essence the Directive allows patients in those jurisdictions the right to seek access to treatment in another country in the European Economic Area (EEA) in either the private or state healthcare sectors. Patients will be reimbursed for the actual cost of the treatment.The aim of the Directive is to:
- Clarify and simplify the rules and procedures to ensure patients in England and Wales can access cross-border healthcare
- Increase treatment options for patients
- Provide patients in England and Wales with information on their rights
- Ensure that cross-border healthcare is safe and of high-quality
- Promote co-operation between member states.
- Patients who need care, including emergency care when in Europe have access to the
- European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
