Patients’ rights in cross-border healthcare and European Reference Networks

The European Commission hosts a high-level conference on patients’ rights in cross-border healthcare, focusing on access, awareness and implementation across the EU. While EU citizens are entitled to receive healthcare in any Member State and be reimbursed by their home country, the uptake of this right remains limited.

26 March 2026 | Brussels & online

Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi will open the event alongside representatives from the 24 European Reference Networks (ERNs), National Contact Points and leading health experts.

The conference will assess progress in facilitating cross-border healthcare and identify persistent barriers to wider use, particularly in border regions and for patients with rare diseases.

Key topics

• Patients’ rights in cross-border healthcare
• Access and delivery of healthcare in border regions
• Role of European Reference Networks in rare disease treatment

The event builds on twelve national workshops conducted in 2024–2025, examining the practical application of cross-border healthcare rights across Member States.

Location: Sparks, Rue Ravenstein 60, Brussels (and online)

Language: English

More information – EU Commission