Long term travel in Europe

[Stevemw]

Hi. I plan on travelling around Europe for 6 to 8 months. I'm type 1 diabetic and insulin dependent and currently get free prescriptions. Can I get free prescriptions in the rest of Europe and how do I go about arranging this?
Thanks

 

[miguel81]

I don't know about the rest of Europe but in Spain you will have to pay for test strips and insulin

 

[Robin]

While we are still in the EU, an EHIC card entitles you to treatment on the same footing as a citizen of the country you are in, so if there is a charge for locals, then you will have to pay that as well.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

I’ve not done any long-term trips, but from what I can tell, GPs are unlikely to want to provide you with 6-8 months of supplies up front.

You might be able to take some supplies with you to get you started though.

 

[Matt Cycle]

Hi. I plan on travelling around Europe for 6 to 8 months. I'm type 1 diabetic and insulin dependent and currently get free prescriptions. Can I get free prescriptions in the rest of Europe and how do I go about arranging this?
Thanks

I thought of doing the same in my younger days but access to my essential prescription items put me off and in the end I just did inter-railing with my brother for around 5 weeks and took my own supplies. No internet then meant it was difficult to research. Wish I'd done it now though! Depending on what happens with Brexit the EHIC card at the moment as Robin mentions gives you the same entitlements as citizens of that country (EEA and Switzerland) regarding health care so may mean some sort of payment. You'll need a copy of your prescription as well. It may take a bit of planning as rocking up at a pharmacy in rural Romania and expecting them to understand you and have what you want may be stretching it a bit. Good luck with the trip. 🙂

https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/he...r-a-free-ehic-european-health-insurance-card/
https://europa.eu/youreurope/citize...e-abroad/expenses-reimbursements/index_en.htm