Language of treatment and interpretation abroad

While you are abroad, you receive treatment in the language of the country in question. EU countries are only obliged to provide health services in their own official languages. The national legislation of each country specifies the language in which treatment is provided. Make sure that you understand matters concerning your treatment.


If you are seeking treatment abroad, find out in advance the language used in the place of treatment. You are usually responsible for the costs of any interpretation yourself if you have sought health services in another country.

If you fall ill in an EU or EEA country, United Kingdom or in Switzerland during a temporary stay and you receive treatment with the European Health Insurance Card, the treatment provider will usually arrange for interpretation, if needed. You may be invoiced for these expenses separately.