If you have an accident when away in another EU country medical care should no longer cost you an arm and a leg, but it may still feel like a bit of a headache.

Healthcare abroad: A home from home?

Let's imagine you're on the ski slopes  in another European Union country.

You need an operation immediately,  and of course on the spot.

When you return home,  you'll be reimbursed

by the country in which you're affiliated  to the social security system,

but only up to the cost  of the same treatment in that country.

Another example:  you live in a border area

and the nearest hospital  is in the country next door.

There's no question of wasting time  by going to the hospital in your own country.

On your return, you will also be reimbursed  by your social security.

Cheaper dental treatment  in another country - is that medical tourism?

Maybe, but the free circulation of services  and of people across the Union allows it.

Since 2011, the European directive  on cross-border healthcare

encourages this mobility  and free choice for patients.

Each country has a national contact point.

Patients can obtain clear information there  about treatment options,

and also about the level of reimbursement

in the case of healthcare  received in another EU country.

In certain cases though, prior authorisation  from the country of affiliation is obligatory.

For example, if the period in hospital  includes at least one night,

or in the case of  costly specialised procedures

or those considered as serious,  using specialist equipment.

There may be a refusal  if the country of origin has reason to doubt

the quality of the treatment being  offered by the service provider,

or if the same treatment is available  in the country within a 'reasonable period'.

But that notion hasn't been  clearly defined by Member States.

Finally, the directive completely excludes:

long-term care -  no personal care services,

and public vaccination programmes  against infectious diseases.

This said, currently  only 1% of European citizens

have recourse to cross-border healthcare.