Is it true that if i go to Europe i'll get free healthcare even though i'm an not a citizen?

Hi!


I can’t answer you speaking about all countries of European Union because I’ve not enough information about them. On the other side I well know what happens in Italy, my country. Here Healthcare is paid with taxes. The payment of medical treatments is not so different from any Italian citizen than for foreign citizens.





When you are sick and you need to go to hospital (with or without an ambulance) you arrive there and nurses, after they have valued your physical conditions, give you a color-code (white, green, yellow, red). If you are a white-code it means that you shouldn’t go to hospital (you are not serious and you could wait reserving a medical examination in the future, so you are the last patient examined and you have to pay a ticket – not so expansive – no matter if you are Italian or not). If you are a green/yellow/red-code, it means (with different levels of seriousness) that you need to go to hospital and so you have not to pay (no matter if you are Italian or not).





About foreign citizens: free Healthcare isn’t limited to regular tourists but is opened also for people who came irregularly in Italy.





This happens because our Constitution declares:





“La Repubblica tutela la salute come fondamentale diritto dell'individuo e interesse della collettività, e garantisce cure gratuite agli indigenti” (Art.32).


It means: “ The Republic protects healthcare as fundamental right of the individual and as interest of the collectivity, and guarantees free treatments to people unable to pay.”





So green/yellow/red-codes, maternity, vaccines are free also for you if you need them.





Wow! It took so long this answer! I just hope to be helpful for you.





Visit Italy! (Not just for free - if needed - treatments :P)


FedericoIs it true that if i go to Europe i'll get free healthcare even though i'm an not a citizen?
If you are a tourist and either get seriously ill or involved in an accident where you need to go to the docs or hospital, you will have to foot the bill.


If you are legally employed and you have an employer that is also legal, then you will be covered when you go to the doctor/hospital, as they have to provide coverage for their employees.


No free rides.Is it true that if i go to Europe i'll get free healthcare even though i'm an not a citizen?
I doubt it.. When I was in Ireland %26amp; got sick I had to pay a relatively modest amt for treatment. If I had lived in one of the Common Market countries I would've gotten very cheap or free care (don't quite remember which).
Why do you think it is fine to sponge off of the native peoples of Europe?


You do know that healthcare is not free---the Europeans pay for it by paying high taxes.