Sometimes there is just no getting around it: You get sick while you are abroad….
ThE GOOD NEWS IS:
if you are insured in any EU country plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland, you can access state-provided healthcare in any of these countries under the same conditions as locals. You may also be entitled to have the costs reimbursed by your national health insurer. Scroll down to see how, along with some great expressions marked in red.
Before travelling get a free European Health Insurance Card from your statutory health insurer. (Even if you don’t have your card with you, you are entitled (=you are given the right) to receive the healthcare you need.)
Important – the European Health Insurance Card:
- is not an alternative to travel insurance. It does not cover any private healthcare or costs such as a return flight to your home country or lost/stolen property (=everything you own)
- does not cover your costs if you are travelling for the express purpose of (=with the clear aim of) obtaining medical treatment,
- does not guarantee free services. As each country’s healthcare system is different services that cost nothing at home might not be free in another country.
Please note: when you move your habitual residence (=where you usually live/your home) to another country, you should register with the S1 form (=certificate of entitlement to healthcare) instead of using the European Health Insurance Card to receive medical care in your new country of habitual residence.
See more at http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=559&langId=en
Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
