Medicines
If you use special medicines, carry your prescription with you. Check with your doctor if you require prescribed medicines while abroad. The list of medicines requiring a prescription may vary between European countries.
Access to healthcare
If you are an EU national and you are suddenly taken ill or have an accident during a visit to any EU country, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland, you can get free or reduced-cost emergency treatment. A form known as E111 can be helpful as evidence that you are entitled to these benefits. Pick one up from your local social security or sickness insurance office before you travel. A passport, however, is often enough in many countries to get medical treatment. From 1 June 2004 a European health card will start to replace the E111, making procedures much simpler and reimbursement of costs more rapid.
Only publicly funded emergency treatment is included in this scheme for the moment and each country has its own rules for public medical provision. In some, treatment is free, in some you pay part of the cost, in others you have to pay the full cost and then claim a refund. So keep all your bills, prescriptions and receipts.
If you are not a EU national, it is always preferable to have travel insurance to cover unexpected medical and dental expenses. Very often, credit card companies if used to buy your flights or vacation packages, offer some kind of insurance. Please call them prior to departure to check the type of coverage you can benefit from them. If you need to buy a special insurance policy, we advise you to choose one that pays all expenses directly for you rather than one that reimburses you later. If you anticipate doing any particular sports or activities such as skiing, snow-boarding, scuba diving or sailing, you should also check with your insurance company if your policy covers them.
Immunisation
There are in general no immunisation requirements when travelling in the EU. However, travellers must be immunised against yellow fever to go to Greece or Malta from infected countries or areas. There are also requirements or recommendations for certain of the EU’s overseas territories. Check with your doctor before you go or look on the World Health Organisation website.
Bathing water
Strict standards are set for bathing water throughout the EU. Bathing water quality is regularly monitored and an annual European Commission report on bathing water quality in the EU shows bathing water quality improving all the time.
