Provision and reimbursement of healthcare

Rules on provision and reimbursement of healthcare have been adapted in accordance with the Withdrawal Agreement and Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the United Kingdom and the European Union which entered into provisional force on 1^st January 2021 (hereinafter “Agreement”) and officially came into force on 1^st May 2021, a day after its publication in the Official Journal of the EU. This area is regulated as part of coordination of social security. Coordination regulations (Regulation (EC) 883/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council and its implementing Regulation 987/2009) applied so far are no longer applicable.

The Agreement in its general part gives Member States and the United Kingdom right to charge a health fee in accordance with the national legislation in case of applications for residency, work and residence in the territory of that state.

The Agreement guarantees right to healthcare provision according to the legislation of state of residence to persons (and dependant family members) who are insured in the system of the other contracting party. These persons are entitled to benefits in kind also in the territory of the competent party. It is also possible to use necessary benefits in kind upon presenting the European Health Insurance Card (or another document) and planned treatment as well. Rules on reimbursement of costs between health insurance institutions are included in the Agreement.

More information can be found on the Health Insurance Bureau website.