European Union Healthcare
EU + UK has excellent healthcare. EHIC/GHIC cards give free/low-cost emergency treatment to EU+UK citizens across member states. Non-EU travellers need travel insurance. Medical tourism significant for dental (Hungary, Poland, Portugal) + IVF (Czech, Spain, Greece).
Medical tourism: ExcellentEmergency care: ExcellentTravel insurance critical
Emergency: 112 (all EU countries)
Get travel insurance before you go — an ER visit here can cost more than your entire trip.
1 English-speaking hospitals
Any public hospital
All EU + UK cities · public tertiary
Foreign insuranceEnglish-speaking
Specialties: Emergency + all
ER stabilisation universal. English competency varies — better in Netherlands, Scandinavia, Ireland, UK.
Common health risks in European Union
- Pickpocket-related injuries (chased/dragged in Barcelona/Rome/Paris)
- Traffic accidents — cycling in Netherlands + Denmark
- Sunburn Mediterranean summer
Tap water
Safe to drink
Embassy medical assistance
EHIC/GHIC gives EU + UK citizens free/reduced-price emergency care. Non-EU: travel insurance essential.