Employees

Generally, if you are employed in some EU/EEA country, you would be covered by the social security system of that country, regardless of your nationality. That country therefore will be responsible for your health coverage.

As a rule, your employer would make social security contributions on your behalf.

However, beware that while in some countries you do not need to take any additional steps in order to get your health coverage once you start employment, in other countries you might need to perform some additional actions (e.g., choosing your health fund in France or your insurer in the Netherlands).

Each country is free to establish their own rules on entitlement to healthcare benefits.

In order to avoid potential problems and misunderstandings, find out more about the social security system of your host country in the “Healthcare By Country” section on our website or contact the relevant National Contact Point.

What if I work in more than one country?

You might find yourself in a situation where you are employed in more than one country. The key factor that will determine your health coverage in that case is where you carry out a substantial part of your professional activities.

You pursue a substantial part of your professional activities in a certain country if at least 25% of your working time and/or income is connected to that country.

Below you will find a breakout of different rules as to what country is responsible for your health coverage when you work in more than one country:

–         If you pursue a substantial part of your professional activities in the country where you live→ you are covered by the country where you live.

–         If you are employed but have no substantial activity in the country where you live → you are covered by the country where your employer has its head office or business.

–         If you work for several employers with registered (head) offices outside of the country where you live → you are covered by the country where you live (even if you do not pursue a substantial part of your activities there).

–    If you work for two employers, one of your employers has a registered (head) office in the country where you live, and the other has a registered (head) office in a different country, and you have no substantial activity in the country where you live → you are covered by that other country where your employer has a registered (head) office and that is not the country where you live.

–      If you are employed in one country and are self-employed in a different country → you are covered by the country where you are employed.

Other Special Cases

Beware that there are certain special cases that can make some changes as to the country that is responsible for your healthcare and the country where you can get access to healthcare.

For example, if you work in one EU/EEA country and live in another EU/EEA country to which you return daily (or at least once a week), you are considered a frontier worker, and a different set of rules applies to you.

Or if you have been posted by your employer to another EU/EEA country for up to 24 months, you are considered a posted worker, and a different set of health coverage rules will apply as well.

Check out our “Special Situations” section to find out more.

Last updated on 31 January 2025