Medical tourism has gained immense popularity in recent years, drawing individuals seeking quality healthcare options beyond their home borders. However, with the introduction of the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), this trend takes on a new dimension for visa-exempt citizens eyeing medical treatments or health-related journeys in Europe, a good number of them coming in from the UK.
It’s common wisdom that maintaining good health is a right. You have absolutely every right to ensure that your body is functioning well enough to do the things you need to do to make your life meaningful. Surely, this extends to choosing how to achieve this, and where. As far as some people are concerned, they can choose to do this outside of the country.
ETIAS: A New Gateway to Health Abroad
ETIAS stands as a streamlined process for travellers from visa-exempt countries to enter the Schengen Zone. This electronic system is designed to screen travellers by collecting their biographical information and running security checks before their arrival in the Schengen Zone. Fundamentally, ETIAS aims to identify potential security threats and irregular migrants, ultimately contributing to a safer and more secure travel environment within Europe.
An ETIAS authorisation will be valid for three years or until the expiration of one’s passport, whichever comes first. This authorisation allows multiple entries into the Schengen Area for stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. After its validity expires, travellers will need to reapply for ETIAS to continue visiting the Schengen countries.
It’s also worth noting that within these parameters, the practise of medical tourism, specifically the prospect of seeking medical solutions in the Schengen region, seems to fit. The seamless gateway that is uniquely offered by ETIAS, reduces the bureaucratic hurdles that often accompany traditional visa applications.
Five Reasons Driving Medical Treatment Abroad
There may be a variety of reasons people may have for seeking medical treatment abroad. Here, we share some that seem to stand out:
Accessibility to Specialised Care:
Not one country in the world can claim that it can offer all possible forms of medical treatment, especially when it comes to specialised care. There simply are too many novel forms of medical treatment that are innovated in different parts of the world. While the UK remains one of the leaders in the field of healthcare and medicine, there may remain a lack of access to specific medical procedures and expertise, at least in some regions within the country. This is enough to prompt some UK patients to seek treatment abroad.
Cost-Efficiency:
Healthcare costs vary significantly across borders, with some countries offering quality services at a fraction of the cost compared to others. This is simply the economic reality of medical treatments all around the world.
It’s quite possible that the UK can perform the necessary procedure or medical intervention that a given individual may need. However, if it is more affordable to have the same treatment abroad, then heading outside of the country becomes an easier option for them to take.
Reduced Wait Times:
There are instances when a specific medical treatment or technology is present in the UK, but there is a shortage in serving the local market of patients. This is a common thing that happens, and to be fair, it doesn’t only happen in the UK.
When there is such a shortage, this creates long waiting lists in the home country, with everyone waiting for their turn to get the medical treatment that they need. Unfortunately, some medical conditions need urgent treatment, which would require them to get a solution sooner in order for them to be successfully cured. Certainly, this can drive individuals to seek quicker medical attention elsewhere.
Privacy and Confidentiality:
Certain health conditions may demand a higher degree of privacy and confidentiality due to their relatively sensitive nature. Many times, privacy can’t be guaranteed within one’s home country. In the interest of discretion and anonymity, many individuals frequently seek medical solutions beyond their national borders. Here, they can be assured that their privacy is maintained, which makes them feel significantly less vulnerable. This need for enhanced privacy becomes a driving force behind the decision to seek medical treatment abroad.
Combined Travel and Treatment:
In some cases, patients want to seek medical treatment and travel at the same time. It may come as a surprise to some people that it’s quite possible to have the best of both worlds.
However, there are other examples that seem to carry a greater weight. Consider, for instance, the case of a terminal patient who requires palliative care. They may also want to add quality to their remaining days by travelling to a dream destination.
Navigating ETIAS for Medical Tourism: Conditions and Authorisation
There is no doubt that applying for ETIAS can be a helpful solution for patients who want to get treated in Europe. However, for ETIAS to suffice as a travel authorisation for this purpose, a number of conditions need to be met:
Validity Period:
ETIAS grants a 90-day stay within a 180-day period, which may allow for adequate treatment and recovery. But there may be some illnesses that simply require more time than what an ETIAS authorisation allows. In this case, getting a different travel authorisation may make more sense.
Return Privilege:
If an illness requires a return checkup or a secondary surgery, this may be made possible with an ETIAS authorisation. However, it has to comply with the 90-day stay within a 180-day rule. Patients can then take advantage of the return privilege to get the necessary treatment or post-checkups within the timeframe.
Community Safety:
You may be challenged with a disease that can indeed be addressed in your chosen Shengen country. However, if your illness poses a threat to the community in your intended destination, you will be declined for travel.
Conclusion
ETIAS stands as a facilitator, enabling smoother access to medical tourism in Europe. This also signals the arrival of a new era in healthcare access. As individuals seek treatments and options abroad, the streamlined authorisation process of ETIAS paves the way for needed medical care. However, understanding the nuances and conditions associated with ETIAS becomes imperative for a successful medical journey abroad.