Meeting Report: Cross-Border Healthcare & ERN High-Level Conference

The conference brought together representatives from the European Commission, National Contact Points (NCPs), regional cross‑border initiatives, and the European Reference Networks (ERNs) to discuss current achievements and future challenges in cross-border healthcare.

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1. National Workshops & Cross-Border Healthcare Landscape

Between 2024 and now, there have been 12 national workshops on cross-border care, aimed at improving understanding of the legal framework, patient pathways, and administrative processes across Member States. Speakers revisited the distinction between the Cross-Border Healthcare Directive (2011/24/EU) and the Social Security Coordination Regulations, noting ongoing confusion about their differing scopes.

  • Directive (2011/24/EU): applies mainly to planned healthcare abroad. Patients may travel to another EU country for care and get reimbursed up to the cost of the same or similar treatment at home. Prior authorisation may be required for certain treatments.
  • Regulation: Apply mainly to unplanned or urgent care during temporary stays abroad. Patients receive care as if they were insured in the country they are visiting. Costs are settled between national social security systems, not directly by the patient.

2. National Contact Points (NCPs)

The EU member states have a national contact point who can help navigate patients in their cross border care journey. Several NCP representatives shared experiences from their national contexts. NCPs play a key role in informing patients traveling abroad or arriving from another country for medical care. Discussions highlighted persisting information gaps, challenges around reimbursement and the need for more structured collaboration among NCPs. One full session was dedicated to NCP operations, challenges, and best practices.

3. Cross-Border Regional Initiatives (including INTERREG)

Another session focused on regional and cross‑border cooperation, with contributions from DG REGIO and the Central European Service for Cross-Border Initiatives. Examples explored how INTERREG and similar frameworks support shared healthcare infrastructures, cross-border emergency agreements, and solutions for border populations relying on neighbouring countries for care. These initiatives are crucial for reducing bureaucratic barriers and ensuring continuity of care.

4. European Reference Networks & JARDIN

The afternoon examined the evolving role of ERNs in supporting patients with rare or complex diseases. ERNs are no longer ‘projects’ but have matured into permanent European health infrastructures, shifting the focus toward sustainability and stable support at both EU and national levels. Speakers stressed the importance of maintaining strong links between ERNs and national healthcare systems, particularly as the JARDIN Joint Action concludes, raising the question: What comes after JARDIN? ERNs also showcased their contribution to cross‑border clinical collaboration, knowledge exchange, and coordinated patient care.

The Commission additionally announced a new call for ERN Affiliated Partners, open from 13 April to 1 September, enabling more centres to join and strengthen the networks.

Report by Janne Suykens, UZ Gent