Medical Emergencies and Healthcare in Europe: What Travelers Need to Know
Medical emergencies are rare, but every traveler should understand how healthcare works before visiting Europe. Knowing how to contact emergency services, find urgent care, obtain prescription medications, and understand your insurance coverage can save valuable time during a stressful situation.
Before traveling, make sure you have:
✓ Emergency number 112 or 999, depending on where you are traveling, saved in your phone
✓ Travel insurance information
✓ Medication list
✓ Allergy information
✓ Passport copy
✓ Local embassy contact information
✓ Names of any medical conditions
Calling Emergency Services:
Throughout Europe you can reach emergency services by dialing 112 in Europe, 999 in the UK (it operates similar to 911). The major difference when calling for an ambulance is that in Europe the technician on the line will be a highly trained medical person who will determine if they can solve your medical issue over the phone. If not, they will probably send a doctor or other highly trained personnel along with an ambulance.
In many European countries, emergency services may be able to determine your approximate location from your phone. However, you should always be prepared to provide your location if asked. Also, you should be able use the SOS Emergency calling feature to reach help even if you do not have an international calling plan.
What does my local embassy do for me?
The local embassy can be a great resource for information on local safety, help with lost passports, help finding english speaking medical services, english speaking lawyers if arrested, evacuation information in the event of a crisis, notifying your family in the US if you have a problem, advice on how to navigate a crime perpetrated against you, etc.
You should be aware that if you are arrested, you may not be given a phone call. However you should specifically ask that the police contact your local embassy and let them know you are there.
Language barriers and Translation apps
If you do not speak the local language, consider downloading a translation app before your trip. Translation apps can help explain symptoms, understand prescriptions, and communicate with medical professionals. Download the language pack before leaving home in case cellular service is unavailable.
Accessing Urgent Care:
Getting access to urgent care can be a bit of a challenge. Start with doing an internet search for the country you are in: “how get urgent care appointment in germany”. This will bring up options that are available to you. Each country may be different so you will need to search for the specific one you are in.
If you cannot use a telehealth session and need to see a doctor in person it is better to utilize the non-emergency medical phone number if it is available. If they determine you should see a doctor they can provide you with an appointment at an urgent care facility which is better than going there and waiting for an opening. Hotel staff can often help locate nearby medical services, schedule appointments, arrange transportation, and assist with translation.
You will pay the urgent care doctor directly. Some take credit cards, some only cash. Make sure to ask before you go so that you are able to pay for your treatment before you leave. We have been to urgent care in France and in Germany and the cost for seeing the doctor was 75-120 euros. They provided a paper prescription which we took to the pharmacy. We were able to get an appointment which cut down our wait time substantially.
How pharmacies in Europe operate and what you need to research before you go:
First, know that prescription drugs are not sold in drug stores. They may or may not be called pharmacies either. Apotheke, or a variation of this, is a common name.
Second, the products carried by pharmacies in North America are sold in two different stores in Europe. Prescription drugs are sold in the Apotheke. Cosmetics, shampoos, lotions etc. are in drug stores, or the like.
Third, the brands you are familiar with in North America probably don’t exist or go by a different name. Asking for Tylenol in Germany will probably only cause confusion. The best way to obtain what you need is to do an internet search for the item you want under its generic name IN THE COUNTRY YOU ARE IN. For instance, the generic name for Tylenol in North America is acetaminophen but in Germany it is paracetamol. Regardless of the english speaking capability of the pharmacist (which is usually very good) asking for paracetamol or showing paracetamol on your phone will probably get you what you want.
Finally, generally pharmacies in Europe stock the items doctors prescribe and so you will receive your items right away.
Travel insurance: do you need it and if so, when?
What do you mean my health insurance doesn’t work in Europe (that includes some medicare recipients)?
Check your policy. You may have emergency coverage but not routine care. Be aware of deductibles and know the process for getting care before you go. Also, you may have to pay out of pocket for the coverage and then seek reimbursement.
Medicare parts A and B do not cover overseas travel. Some Medicare Advantage or Medigap supplemental plans may offer coverage however check before you leave.
In addition to emergency coverage you may want evacuation coverage if you are going to be on a cruise, in a remote location or need medical services that are not available in the local area (think air ambulance, transportation to larger, better equipped facilities, etc.)
TIP: if your health insurance is not as robust as you would like for overseas travel obtain a Travel Health Insurance Policy that will cover your trip, possibly one that includes evacuation coverage to the US or Canada.
TIP: When on a cruise medical attention while onboard the ship is not free. Also, Travel Insurance should cover evacuation from the ship to a land-based facility.
TIP: Be sure to carry information regarding medications, allergies and any specific health issues that a medical team may need to know. Your smart phone may be a great resource for a medical team unfamiliar with your medical history. Research available functionality and populate the phone with the critical data.
Review the following websites for useful information:
Traveling Outside the US with Medicare