Q&A: Patients' Rights in Cross-Border Healthcare - Revision history

Terspithea.kittou at 08:58, 22 July 2025

2025-07-22T08:58:32Z

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	</ol>		</ol>

	=What is the difference between Directive 2011/24/EU and Regulation (EC) 883/2004?=		=What is the difference between the Directive 2011/24/EU and the Regulation (EC) 883/2004?=
	<ol>		<ol>
	<li>Directive 2011/24/EU: Allows patients to seek healthcare in another Member State on their own initiative</li>		<li>Directive 2011/24/EU: Allows patients to seek healthcare in another Member State on their own initiative</li>

Terspithea.kittou: /* Where can I find more information about my rights to healthcare abroad? */

2025-07-22T07:35:28Z

Where can I find more information about my rights to healthcare abroad?

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	These networks benefit national health systems directly, and patients indirectly.		These networks benefit national health systems directly, and patients indirectly.

	~~=Where can I find more information about my rights to healthcare abroad?=~~

	~~Check with your National Contact Point, or on the Your Europe website:~~

	~~http://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/health/index_en.htm~~

	=What is cross-border healthcare?=		=What is cross-border healthcare?=

Terspithea.kittou: /* Which healthcare services are covered? */

2025-07-22T07:34:38Z

Which healthcare services are covered?

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	=Which healthcare services are covered?=		=Which healthcare services are covered?=

	Only services that are part of the healthcare benefits package in your country of insurance are covered (e.g. diagnostics, hospital treatment, pharmaceuticals). ~~ervices~~ that are not covered in Cyprus are also not eligible for reimbursement.		Only services that are part of the healthcare benefits package in your country of insurance are covered (e.g. diagnostics, hospital treatment, pharmaceuticals). Services that are not covered in Cyprus are also not eligible for reimbursement.

	=How is the reimbursement calculated?=		=How is the reimbursement calculated?=

Terspithea.kittou at 07:29, 22 July 2025

2025-07-22T07:29:07Z

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	These networks benefit national health systems directly, and patients indirectly.		These networks benefit national health systems directly, and patients indirectly.

	~~Where can I find more information about my rights to healthcare abroad?~~

	~~You can check with your National Contact Point, or on the Your Europe website, via a link which will be activated on October 25th, the day of entry into force of the Directive.~~

	=Where can I find more information about my rights to healthcare abroad?=		=Where can I find more information about my rights to healthcare abroad?=

Terspithea.kittou at 07:04, 22 July 2025

2025-07-22T07:04:51Z

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	The Directive will not affect the benefits already offered to citizens through the existing Regulations on social security, which have their basis in the EU Treaty article on free movement of people. However, it clarifies those patients' rights that have their basis in the free movement of services, and which have been set out in various European Court of Justice rulings. In the case of hospital care, one of the main achievements of this new Directive is that patients will be able to choose their healthcare provider.		The Directive will not affect the benefits already offered to citizens through the existing Regulations on social security, which have their basis in the EU Treaty article on free movement of people. However, it clarifies those patients' rights that have their basis in the free movement of services, and which have been set out in various European Court of Justice rulings. In the case of hospital care, one of the main achievements of this new Directive is that patients will be able to choose their healthcare provider.

	Other advantages of the ~~Direction~~ 2011/24/EU are:		Other advantages of the Directive 2011/24/EU are:
	*More choice: the Directive covers all healthcare providers in the EU.		*More choice: the Directive covers all healthcare providers in the EU.

Terspithea.kittou at 07:03, 22 July 2025

2025-07-22T07:03:47Z

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	The Directive will not affect the benefits already offered to citizens through the existing Regulations on social security, which have their basis in the EU Treaty article on free movement of people. However, it clarifies those patients' rights that have their basis in the free movement of services, and which have been set out in various European Court of Justice rulings. In the case of hospital care, one of the main achievements of this new Directive is that patients will be able to choose their healthcare provider.		The Directive will not affect the benefits already offered to citizens through the existing Regulations on social security, which have their basis in the EU Treaty article on free movement of people. However, it clarifies those patients' rights that have their basis in the free movement of services, and which have been set out in various European Court of Justice rulings. In the case of hospital care, one of the main achievements of this new Directive is that patients will be able to choose their healthcare provider.

	Other advantages of the ~~new legislation~~ are:		Other advantages of the Direction 2011/24/EU are:
	*More choice: the Directive covers all healthcare providers in the EU.		*More choice: the Directive covers all healthcare providers in the EU.

Terspithea.kittou at 06:48, 22 July 2025

2025-07-22T06:48:35Z

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	Patients prefer to receive healthcare in their own country. That is why the demand for cross-border healthcare represents only around 1% of public spending on healthcare, which is currently around €10 billion. This estimate includes cross-border healthcare which patients had not planned in advance (such as emergency care for tourists). This means that, at present, considerably less of that 1% of the expenditure and movement of patients is for planned cross-border healthcare, like hip and knee operations or cataract surgery.		Patients prefer to receive healthcare in their own country. That is why the demand for cross-border healthcare represents only around 1% of public spending on healthcare, which is currently around €10 billion. This estimate includes cross-border healthcare which patients had not planned in advance (such as emergency care for tourists). This means that, at present, considerably less of that 1% of the expenditure and movement of patients is for planned cross-border healthcare, like hip and knee operations or cataract surgery.

	=What about the existing legislation in this area (Regulations on social security)?=		=What about the existing legislation in this area (Regulations on social security-Regulation (EC) No 883/2004)?=

	Citizens needing care (including emergency care) when temporarily abroad will continue to benefit from the existing Regulations and the European Health Insurance Card, and be provided with the care they need.		Citizens needing care (including emergency care) when temporarily abroad will continue to benefit from the existing Regulations and the European Health Insurance Card, and be provided with the care they need.
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	It is important to note that the Regulations do not cover all healthcare providers. Some private providers are excluded, for example. In addition, under these Regulations, patients are usually obliged to apply for authorization for all treatments, whereas under the Directive, authorization should be the exception rather than the rule.		It is important to note that the Regulations do not cover all healthcare providers. Some private providers are excluded, for example. In addition, under these Regulations, patients are usually obliged to apply for authorization for all treatments, whereas under the Directive, authorization should be the exception rather than the rule.

	=What is the added benefit of ~~this legislation~~?=		=What is the added benefit of the Directive 2011/24/EU?=
	~~This~~ Directive will not affect the benefits already offered to citizens through the existing Regulations on social security, which have their basis in the EU Treaty article on free movement of people. However, it clarifies those patients' rights that have their basis in the free movement of services, and which have been set out in various European Court of Justice rulings. In the case of hospital care, one of the main achievements of this new Directive is that patients will be able to choose their healthcare provider.		The Directive will not affect the benefits already offered to citizens through the existing Regulations on social security, which have their basis in the EU Treaty article on free movement of people. However, it clarifies those patients' rights that have their basis in the free movement of services, and which have been set out in various European Court of Justice rulings. In the case of hospital care, one of the main achievements of this new Directive is that patients will be able to choose their healthcare provider.

	Other advantages of the new legislation are:		Other advantages of the new legislation are:

Terspithea.kittou at 05:37, 22 July 2025

2025-07-22T05:37:12Z

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	Moreover, they strengthen cooperation among national health authorities by promoting the exchange of information on quality and safety standards in healthcare provision. They also support the establishment of European Reference Networks, which bring together, on a voluntary basis, recognised centres of expertise from across Europe.		Moreover, they strengthen cooperation among national health authorities by promoting the exchange of information on quality and safety standards in healthcare provision. They also support the establishment of European Reference Networks, which bring together, on a voluntary basis, recognised centres of expertise from across Europe.

	Finally, they encourage collaboration between Member States in harnessing the potential of Health Technology Assessment ~~(HTA)~~ and digital health (eHealth), contributing to a more effective, innovative, and interconnected healthcare delivery system.		Finally, they encourage collaboration between Member States in harnessing the potential of Health Technology Assessment and digital health (eHealth), contributing to a more effective, innovative, and interconnected healthcare delivery system.

Terspithea.kittou at 05:36, 22 July 2025

2025-07-22T05:36:32Z

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	*A Portuguese man seeks cataract surgery from a specialist in Spain but will he be reimbursed?		*A Portuguese man seeks cataract surgery from a specialist in Spain but will he be reimbursed?

	~~The law~~ clarifies ~~patients'~~ rights to access safe and ~~good~~ quality treatment ~~across~~ EU ~~borders~~ and be reimbursed for it. Patients ~~travelling~~ to another EU country for medical care will ~~enjoy~~ equal treatment ~~with~~ the citizens of the country ~~in which~~ they are treated. If they are entitled to that ~~healthcare at~~ home, ~~then~~ they will be reimbursed by their home ~~country~~. ~~Their~~ reimbursement will ~~be up~~ to the cost of ~~that~~ treatment ~~at home~~. In ~~some~~ cases, ~~they~~ may ~~need to seek authorization~~ before travelling for treatment, ~~in particular~~ if the treatment ~~requires~~ an overnight stay ~~at an hospital~~ or highly ~~specialized~~ and ~~cost-intensive~~ healthcare.		Directive 2011/24/EU clarifies patients’ rights to access safe and high-quality treatment throughout the EU and to be reimbursed for it. Patients who travel to another EU country for medical care will receive equal treatment to the citizens of the country where they are treated. If they are entitled to that medical treatment in their home country, they will be reimbursed by their home system. The reimbursement will correspond to the cost of the treatment in their own country. In certain cases, prior authorisation may be required before travelling for treatment, particularly if the treatment involves an overnight hospital stay or highly specialised and costly healthcare.

			Directive 2011/24/EU and Regulation (EC) No 883/2004 provide significant benefits to patients across the European Union. Together, they facilitate access to healthcare in other EU countries by improving the availability of information and expanding patients’ treatment options.

			Moreover, they strengthen cooperation among national health authorities by promoting the exchange of information on quality and safety standards in healthcare provision. They also support the establishment of European Reference Networks, which bring together, on a voluntary basis, recognised centres of expertise from across Europe.

			Finally, they encourage collaboration between Member States in harnessing the potential of Health Technology Assessment (HTA) and digital health (eHealth), contributing to a more effective, innovative, and interconnected healthcare delivery system.

	This new law will benefit EU patients in several other ways. It will make it easier for patients to access information on healthcare in another EU country, and thus increase their treatment options. It will also make it easier for national health authorities to work closer together and exchange information on quality and safety standards of healthcare. It will support the development of "European Reference Networks" bringing together, on a voluntary basis, specialized centers of expertise already recognized in Europe. It will also promote co-operation between EU countries to help deliver the considerable potential benefits of Health Technology Assessments and eHealth.

	=What scale of Cross-Border healthcare are we talking about?=		=What scale of Cross-Border healthcare are we talking about?=

Terspithea.kittou at 08:20, 21 July 2025

2025-07-21T08:20:24Z

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	This new law will benefit EU patients in several other ways. It will make it easier for patients to access information on healthcare in another EU country, and thus increase their treatment options. It will also make it easier for national health authorities to work closer together and exchange information on quality and safety standards of healthcare. It will support the development of "European Reference Networks" bringing together, on a voluntary basis, specialized centers of expertise already recognized in Europe. It will also promote co-operation between EU countries to help deliver the considerable potential benefits of Health Technology Assessments and eHealth.		This new law will benefit EU patients in several other ways. It will make it easier for patients to access information on healthcare in another EU country, and thus increase their treatment options. It will also make it easier for national health authorities to work closer together and exchange information on quality and safety standards of healthcare. It will support the development of "European Reference Networks" bringing together, on a voluntary basis, specialized centers of expertise already recognized in Europe. It will also promote co-operation between EU countries to help deliver the considerable potential benefits of Health Technology Assessments and eHealth.

	=What scale of ~~cross~~-~~border~~ healthcare are we talking about?=		=What scale of Cross-Border healthcare are we talking about?=

	Patients prefer to receive healthcare in their own country. That is why the demand for cross-border healthcare represents only around 1% of public spending on healthcare, which is currently around €10 billion. This estimate includes cross-border healthcare which patients had not planned in advance (such as emergency care for tourists). This means that, at present, considerably less of that 1% of the expenditure and movement of patients is for planned cross-border healthcare, like hip and knee operations or cataract surgery.		Patients prefer to receive healthcare in their own country. That is why the demand for cross-border healthcare represents only around 1% of public spending on healthcare, which is currently around €10 billion. This estimate includes cross-border healthcare which patients had not planned in advance (such as emergency care for tourists). This means that, at present, considerably less of that 1% of the expenditure and movement of patients is for planned cross-border healthcare, like hip and knee operations or cataract surgery.