PICUM REPORT Access to Health Care

for Undocumented Migrants in Europe

by Eve Geddie

9th October 2008

UNDOCUMENTED MIGRANTSHAVE RIGHTS!

Many people think that undocumented migrants have no rights since they are living without permission to legally reside in a country which is not their own

THIS IS A MYTH !PICUM promotes respect for

the basic social rights of undocumented migrants.

Access to Health Care for Undocumented Migrants in Europe

PARTNERS Local AuthoritiesNGOs

Health care providers

COUNTRIES

Austria

Belgium

France

Germany

Hungary

Italy

Netherlands

Portugal

Spain

Sweden

United Kingdom

Legal entitlements to health care

1. All care provided only on payment basis Austria, Sweden

2. Free health care in very limited casesHungary, Germany

3. Wider coverage but legislation rather ambiguous and unclearUK, Portugal

4. “Parallel” administrative systemsFrance, Belgium, Netherlands

5. Wide public health care coverageSpain, Italy

5 DISTINCT SITUATIONS

Practical barriers in Italy

Inconsistent implementation of the law

Ambiguous terms (‘cure urgenti’)

Extralegal requirements

Undocumented migrants - unaware of their rights - fear detection

Payment of fee for ‘ticket’

Result: increased pressure on civil society to bridge gaps

International Human Rights Standard

‘The right to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health’ - Article 12 I.C.E.S.C.R.

Key aspects AccessibilityNon-discrimination

END

Thank you for your attention!

More information available at www.picum.org

Comments or queries eve.geddie@picum.org