According to the U.S. National Travel and Tourism Office, in 2016, nearly 12 million Americans traveled to Europe that year. Europe continues to be a favorite destination for many Americans, who make about 5% of international tourist arrivals. Europe draws many people for its history, architecture, gastronomy, diverse cultures, and lively cities.
While travel is usually packed with excitement and curiosity, some people might worry about what could happen if they sick while on holiday in Europe. Most European countries offer high-quality medical care and a great number of doctors and nurses speak some English. Nearly all European nations have a universal health-care system and run at a national level. The systems are mostly publicly funded through taxation.
The European Union does not have a major administrative responsibility in the area of healthcare. However, the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Health and Consumers do seek to align national laws on food safety and other products.
An essential benefit of the universal healthcare is that everyone should be taken care of in an emergency or in case of sickness. Foreigners will receive proper assistance if they’re injured or get sick.
What Happens If I Get Sick While Traveling in Europe?
There are a few options available if you get sick while traveling in Europe. Depending on your symptoms or your injury, there are pharmacies that can diagnose and prescribe remedies for stomach problems, insomnia, blisters, headaches, muscle pain, cold symptoms, etc. The majority of cities have a 24-hour pharmacy. You can always check online for the nearest one to your accommodation.
For accidents or an emergency go to a hospital. The European Union’s universal emergency number is 112. If you are not experiencing an emergency but would like to see a doctor you can go to a clinic and talk to a receptionist about your issues and why you’d like to see a doctor. You will likely have to wait but will be seen by a doctor or physician.
Healthcare costs in Europe are not as extreme as they are in the United States. This is due to the set up of their system and the contributions of each member of society. With that said, it is advised that you purchase travel insurance or some sort of insurance that will cover your expenses in case you need medical attention.
If you need to pay for the attention received, you’re likely to be asked to pay out of pocket. In other cases, you might be asked to provide a billing address. Get a copy of your bill and all information given to you so that you can file a claim when you return to the U.S.
When traveling to Europe it is essential you have a valid passport. U.S. citizens can travel to European countries without applying for a visa. The EU will soon launch a travel authorization program, ETIAS, in order to screen travelers that wish to visit the Schengen Area. It is likely that from 2025, U.S. citizens will have to enroll online to obtain an ETIAS travel authorization for Europe.
