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  1. Home
  2. Before you go
  3. Taking care of your health
  4. Reciprocal health care agreements

Reciprocal health care agreements

Australia has reciprocal health care agreements with 11 countries. These countries provide some emergency care to Australians.

Most agreements specify the care must be urgent and medically necessary. They usually need a co-payment from the patient.

Countries with reciprocal health care agreements

The Department of Human Services publishes details about Australia's agreements. This includes what services they cover. Australia has reciprocal health care agreements with:

  • Belgium
  • Finland
  • Italy
  • Malta
  • Netherlands
  • New Zealand
  • Norway
  • the Republic of Ireland
  • Slovenia
  • Sweden
  • United Kingdom

If you travel to a country without an agreement, you're not covered. If you need medical assistance, you or your insurer must pay the full cost of treatment. Many hospitals won't treat you until you, your family or travel insurer pay upfront.

Reciprocal Health Agreements vs travel insurance

A reciprocal health care agreement is not a substitute for insurance. You still need travel insurance.

Ensure your policy covers you for medical evacuations. These often cost 1000s of dollars. Evacuations aren't covered by reciprocal health care agreements. Without appropriate insurance, you or your family could be stuck with the bill.

What's covered under reciprocal health care agreements

  • Reciprocal health care agreements can cover or subsidise some emergency medical costs. This is usually for urgent treatment that can't wait until you get home.
  • Some agreements can cover other costs. This can include local medical transport, medication and specialist services.
  • Each country with an agreement decides what they'll cover or subsidise. We can't intervene in their processes or policies.
  • The treating doctor determines if your condition is a 'medical necessity'. The Australian Government can't influence the doctor's decision. 
  • Subsidised care differs from free care. If you receive medical assistance under an agreement, you may need to still pay. 

What isn't covered by reciprocal health care agreements 

Reciprocal health care agreements:

  • do not cover all medical situations, they're usually for urgent care that can't wait until you get home
  • do not pay total medical costs, most expect you pay a percentage of it (a co-payment)
  • do not pay for you to get private health care, you'll have to pay the full cost
  • do not cover costs for any non-subsidised medicines or treatments 
  • do not cover non-urgent medical needs, you'll have to pay
  • are not a substitute for travel insurance

You, or your travel insurer, must pay for any treatment not covered by the agreement. If you need money overseas, talk to your family and friends. The Australian Government can't pay your bill, or loan you money.

If you can't afford treatment there, you may wish to return home. At home you can seek subsidised treatment under Medicare, or your private health insurer.

Travelling to a country with a reciprocal health care agreement

  • Find out what medical services the agreement will cover.
  • Confirm what costs you'll have to cover. Often it's a percentage of the total service cost, which could still be expensive.
  • Check if there's variations in what's covered in different parts of the country. 
  • Find out if they have exclusions or conditions for certain groups. This can include dual nationals and people studying, living or working there.
  • See if there's eligibility requirements. Find out how to prove you're eligible.
  • Check if there's an application process. You may have to apply for subsidised services under the agreement.

See the Department of Human Services for more on reciprocal health care agreements.

Read more

  • Reciprocal health agreements aren't a substitute for travel insurance.
  • Find out about vaccinations and preventative health measures.
  • Learn about travelling with medications and medical equipment.
  • Find out what to do if you're overseas and need medical assistance.

See also

  • See the Department of Human Services for more on reciprocal health care agreements.
  • Read the Department of Human Services' information about which countries may help cover the cost of medicines.

 

Related content

COVID-19

Read our advice on COVID-19, including leaving Australia, trying to get home, arriving in Australia and staying overseas.

View details
Vaccinations and preventative health

You may get sick from infectious diseases or other health conditions overseas. Find out what vaccinations and other preventative measures can help.

View details
Infectious diseases

When you go overseas, you may be exposed to a range of infectious diseases. Before you go, learn about the health risks in your destination and see your doctor.

View details

Main navigation

  • The basics
    • Destinations
    • Passport services
    • Visas
    • Insurance
    • Schengen
    • Travel advice explained
  • Who you are
    • Children
    • Dual nationals
    • LGBTI++
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Contact us

The Australian Government provides 24-hour consular emergency assistance.

+61 2 6261 3305 from overseas

1300 555 135 from within Australia

For non-urgent enquiries, visit the contact page

About us

Smartraveller is provided by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

For how we can help you overseas see the Consular Services Charter.

For more information go to about us.

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  • HomeHome
  • Before you go
    • The basics
      • Destinations
      • Passport services
      • Visas
      • Insurance
      • Schengen
      • Travel advice explained
    • Who you are
      • Children
      • Dual nationals
      • LGBTI++
      • Mature
      • School leavers
      • Women
    • Activities
      • Adoption
      • Adventure
      • Backpacking
      • Business
      • Living and working overseas
      • Marriage
      • Studying
      • Surrogacy
      • Volunteering
    • Major events
      • Hajj
      • Ramadan
    • Health
      • Disability
      • Infectious diseases
      • Medical assistance overseas
      • Medical tourism
      • Medication
      • Mental health
      • Pregnancy
      • Reciprocal health
      • Vaccinations
      • Death
    • Staying safe
      • Assault
      • Demonstrations
      • Earthquakes and tsunamis
      • Kidnapping
      • Natural disasters
      • Partying safely
      • Piracy
      • Scams
      • Severe weather
      • Sexual assault
      • Terrorism
      • Theft and robbery
    • Laws
      • Carrying or using drugs
      • Child sex offences
      • Female genital mutilation
      • Forced marriage
    • Getting around
      • Air travel
      • Boat travel
      • Cruising
      • Public transport
      • Road safety
  • Destinations
    • View all destinations
    • AfricaBrowse destinations in Africa.
    • AmericasBrowse all destinations in the Americas.
    • AsiaBrowse all destinations in Asia.
    • EuropeBrowse all destinations in Europe.
    • Middle EastBrowse all destinations in the Middle East.
    • PacificBrowse all destinations in the Pacific.
  • While you're away
    • When things go wrong
      • Arrested or jailed
      • Lost property
      • Medical assistance
      • Money problems
      • Someone is missing
      • Someone died
    • Crime overseas
      • Assaulted
      • Kidnapped
      • Robbed or mugged
      • Scammed
      • Sexually assaulted
    • Crisis or emergency
      • Demonstration
      • Earthquake
      • Severe weather
      • Terrorist situation
      • Volcanic eruption
    • Australia's biosecurity and border controls
      • COVID-19 portal
  • Urgent helpLinks to help
  • Our servicesLinks to services
    • Consular Services Charter
      • Arabic
      • Chinese Simplified
      • Chinese Traditional
      • Indonesian
      • Thai
      • Vietnamese
    • Travel advice explained
    • Subscription
    • Crises
    • Passport services
      • Passports in Australia
      • Passports overseas
    • Notarial services
      • Documents
      • Documents in Australia
      • Documents overseas
      • Certificate of No Impediment
      • Notarial forms
    • Voting overseas
    • Communities
      • العربية (Arabic)
      • 中文 简体 (Chinese Simplified)
      • 中文繁體 (Chinese Traditional)
      • Bahasa Indonesia
      • ภาษาไทย (Thai)
      • (Tiếng Việt) Vietnamese
      • Filipino community
      • Indian community
      • Malaysian community
    • Resources
      • Missing overseas
      • Fact sheet: Arrested or jailed overseas
      • Fact sheet: Sexual assault overseas
      • Fact sheet: Death overseas
      • Fact sheet: Travel Smart
      • Consular Privacy Collection Statement
      • CHOICE travel insurance guide
      • Before you go checklist
  • COVID-19
    • COVID-19
      • Leaving Australia
      • Trying to get home
      • Returning home
      • Staying overseas
      • Overseas financial assistance
      • Overseas financial assistance FAQs
      • General FAQs
      • Registration FAQs