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Treatment Abroad

Seeking medical treatment in another EEA country

ABOUT

Planning treatment in another European country

If you are thinking about any sort of planned medical or dental treatment in another EEA country, it is highly recommended that you discuss this fully with the NHS health professional that has lead responsibility for your NHS health or dental care, as they can advise you on the treatment options available to you on the NHS.

Make sure that you are fully informed, and have all the information you need to make the right choices.  This should include as much information as possible about the treatment you are travelling to receive and the European healthcare provider that will carry out that treatment, including medical governance arrangements.

You will also need to:

  • consider when you will be able to travel
  • how your medical notes will be exchanged between
  • fully understand the conditions under which you will be treated in another EEA country, which may not be the same as the NHS
  • establish the treatment that the NHS Board is prepared to fund/reimburse
  • obtain prior authority from the NHS Board, where necessary
  • consider any after care or follow-up treatment you might require and where this will be delivered
Arranging treatment in the EEA countries:

There are two different routes to arranging treatment in the EEA countries:

  • S2 scheme, formerly called E112
  • EU Cross Border Healthcare Directive

Please note that the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) does not cover planned treatment but entitles the holder to receive necessary healthcare provided by the state during short-term travel in the EEA in the event of sudden illness or accident.   Treatment is provided by the state (private treatment is not covered) on the same basis as for those that are ordinarily resident in the EEA country that is being visited.  However, the EHIC does not replace the requirement to have adequate independent travel insurance with a health element.

View our patient leaflet: Seeking medical treatment in another EEA country

If you are an NHS Lanarkshire resident and you have decided to exercise your rights to seek medical treatment in another EEA country under the S2 route or the EU Cross Border Directive, you should fully complete a European Healthcare Application Form and submit it to NHS Lanarkshire Safehaven Office, Kirklands House, Fallside Road, Bothwell, G71 8BB or email to lan.safehaven@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk

If you wish to travel to the European Economic Area (EEA) to receive addiction or rehabilitation services, under the terms of the European Cross-border Healthcare Directive, and be considered for reimbursement on your return, it is a condition that, at the very least, an assessment has been carried out by your local NHS addiction service before you travel.  The treatment you receive in another part of the EEA must be the same as or equivalent to the NHS treatment identified by that assessment as appropriate to address your particular medical requirements.  This applies equally if the addiction or rehabilitation service is to be provided by telemedicine.

The best way to be sure about your eligibility for reimbursement is to seek advice from your GP, who will be able to discuss your case with our local addiction teams.

Specific information about European Cross Border Healthcare policies and contacts within Scotland is available on the NHS inform website at: https://www.nhsinform.scot/care-support-and-rights/health-rights#european-cross-border-healthcare

Countries in Europe where you can have treatment
  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • Bulgaria
  • Croatia
  • Republic of Cyprus
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Estonia
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • Ireland
  • Italy
  • Latvia
  • Liechtenstein
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Malta
  • Netherlands Norway
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Romania
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland (S2 route only)
Related documents

CONTACT

NHS inform helpline

For more information about Treatment Abroad email nhs.inform@nhs24.scot.nhs.uk or call the NHS inform helpline on 0800 22 44 88.

The helpline is open:

  • Monday to Friday, 8am to 10pm
  • Saturday and Sunday, 9am to 5pm
NHS inform website

Specific information about European Cross Border Healthcare policies and contacts within Scotland is available on the NHS inform website at: https://www.nhsinform.scot/care-support-and-rights/health-rights#european-cross-border-healthcare

Your Feedback - comments, concerns and complaints

NHS Lanarkshire is committed to improving the service it provides to patients and their families. We therefore want to hear from you about your experience. If you would like to tell us about this please visit our feedback page.

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