EU Cross-Border Healthcare Directive

The Cross Border Directive (CBD) allows to citizens of EU countries to get healthcare in another EU or EEA member state and be reimbursed for that at home by National Health Service.

The most common reasons why people would choose going abroad for medical treatment –

• Length of waiting
• Quality and accessibility of medical service at home
• Proximity to place of residence

Persons have rights to be reimbursed only for medical treatment  –

• That is available on public medical treatment list at their home country
• For the cost of the public healthcare treatment in home country, or the cost of treatment abroad, if that is less

To use elective health services in another country and be refunded under the CBD the person must –

• Be referred to the health service abroad by a GP or a Specialist
• Get prior authorisation if it is required for your treatment
• Apply for a refund of your costs

☝️The EU Cross-Border Healthcare Directive is no longer available for citizens of the United Kingdom.