National Policies
In the European Union, the organisation and delivery of medical services are decided by the member states and therefore greatly differ from country to country. Likewise undocumented migrants’ and asylum seekers’ legal entitlements to access health care depend on each member state since EU countries are also competent to determine who benefits from the public health system.
This situation is aggravated from the fact that, in many member states, the power on health issues is shared among the central government, the regions and the local entities, leading to significant differences regarding rights and implementation at national level.
Most countries provide asylum seekers - at least potentially - the same level of health coverage than for similar national population; while undocumented migrants are often discriminated regarding their rights and administrative conditions. Despite these differences, both groups face important practical barriers to access effective health care in all member states due to fear, lack of information, lack of time, economic precariousness, language and cultural constraints, etc.
This section provides information on access to health care (for nationals, asylum seekers and undocumented migrants) and on protection of seriously ill immigrants against expulsion in many countries (Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and United Kingdom) on three levels:
- policy developments and legislation in force;
- practical barriers;
- civil society initiatives and partnerships put in place to fill the gap left by public authorities.
