Receiving unscheduled care outside of the EU, EEA, Switzerland, Montenegro, Serbia or Macedonia
Please note: Brexit may have an impact on health care in the United Kingdom. For more information, see our FAQ section in the event of a "Brexit - Deal" or a "Brexit - No Deal".
During a trip abroad, immediate access to healthcare may become necessary.
Coverage differs depending on whether or not the care is provided in a country with which Luxembourg has entered into a bilateral agreement on social security.
Who is concerned
Anyone enrolled for sickness and maternity insurance in Luxembourg who requires urgent medical care while travelling abroad, outside of the EU, EEA, Switzerland, Montenegro, Serbia or Macedonia.
Prerequisites
The conditions differ depending on the destination country.
For countries outside the European Union (EU), EEA, Switzerland, Montenegro, Serbia and Macedonia, but which are bound by a bilateral agreement with Luxembourg, the insured is required to submit the appropriate form to the social security institution in the country that they are visiting, certifying that they are entitled to benefits in kind during their stay.
For countries outside the European Union (EU), the EEA, Switzerland, Montenegro, Serbia and Macedonia, that are not bound by bilateral agreements with Luxembourg, no documents can be issued.
How to proceed
Procedures for implementing coverage
The procedures for coverage of care by the competent Luxembourgish health insurance fund depend on the country where the care was provided and on whether or not there is a bilateral agreement between Luxembourg and that country.
Generally, an insured may only benefit from coverage if they go to a care provider or supplier that is approved by the health insurance in the country they are visiting. It is thus important to get information about the health system of the destination country in order to benefit from good medical coverage.
Unforeseen healthcare in a country that is bound by a bilateral agreement with Luxembourg
Prior authorisation
For countries bound by a bilateral agreement with Luxembourg, the insured is required to submit a certificate to the social security institution in the destination country. This certificate certifies that the insured is entitled to benefits in kind during their stay.
The certificate can be applied for directly online on MyGuichet.lu.
Reimbursement of costs incurred
The insured must pay healthcare fees in advance and may request reimbursement directly from the health insurance fund in the country where they are staying. Reimbursements will be paid at the rates and prices applicable in that country.
Non-urgent healthcare delivered in an out-patient setting (e.g. visual aids, dental prostheses or crowns) is not reimbursed.
Reimbursement if the form is forgotten or refused
The insured must pay the costs of the medical care they received in advance, and request reimbursement from their competent fund in Luxembourg upon their return.
To do so, they will need to produce the receipted bills, itemising the delivered care/service (in medical terms and not as codes) in English, French or German.
The competent health insurance fund will determine the pricing for the bills with the health insurance fund in the destination country, and the insured individual will be reimbursed at the rates and prices in force in that country. Healthcare services delivered by non-contract providers, or services not provided for in the country where the insured individual was staying, will not be reimbursed.
Unforeseen healthcare in a country that is not bound by a bilateral agreement with Luxembourg
Healthcare bills from these countries are reimbursed by a Luxembourgish health insurance fund at Luxembourgish rates and prices, on the condition that the healthcare received is provided for by Luxembourgish legislation.
Bills submitted to the competent health insurance fund for reimbursement must:
- have already been paid;
- itemise the delivered healthcare in medical terms and not as codes;
- be written in English, French or German, or accompanied by a translation into one of these languages.
Since medical and hospital costs may differ from one country to another, and may even be substantially higher than in Luxembourg, it may be appropriate to take out additional private insurance.
Basic non-urgent visits with a general practitioner, or visits in connection with an illness that existed before the trip abroad, will not be reimbursed, except in the case of medical emergencies. This is also valid for births occurring abroad after the 8th month of pregnancy.
Forms / Online services
Application for a certificate of entitlement to benefits in kind necessary during a temporary stay in Cape Verde, Quebec, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Tunisia and Turkey
Demande d'attestation de droit aux prestations en nature rendues nécessaires lors d'un séjour temporaire au Cap Vert, au Québec, en Bosnie et Herzégovine, en Tunisie ou en Turquie
Antrag auf eine Bescheinigung über den Anspruch auf erforderliche Leistungen während eines vorübergehenden Aufenthalts in Kap Verde, Quebec, Bosnien-Herzegowina, Tunesien und in der Türkei
Who to contact
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CNS Department - National Reimbursements125, route d'Esch
L-2980 Luxembourg
Luxembourg
Phone : (+352) 27 57 - 1Fax : (+352) 27 57 27 - 58
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CNS Department - International Reimbursements125, route d'Esch
L-2979 Luxembourg
Grand-Duché de Luxembourg
Phone : (+352) 27 57 - 1Fax : (+352) 27 57 27 - 58
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Health Insurance Fund for Civil Servants and Communal Employees20, avenue Emile Reuter
Luxembourg
Postal address :
B.P. 328 L-2013
Phone : (+352) 45 05 15Fax : (+352) 45 02 01-222 -
Health Insurance Fund for Civil Servants and State Employees32, avenue Marie-Thérèse
L-2132 Luxembourg
Luxembourg
Phone : (+352) 45 16 81Fax : (+352) 45 67 50 -
CFL Health Insurance Fund2B, rue de la Paix
L-2312 Luxembourg
Luxembourg
Phone : (+352) 49 90 - 3416Fax : (+352) 49 90 - 4501
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Joint Social Security Centre (Centre commun de la sécurité sociale – CCSS)
L-2975 Luxembourg
Luxembourg
Phone : (+352) 40 141-1Fax : (+352) 40 448-1 -
Reception desks at the Joint Social Security Centre125, route d'Esch
L-1471 Luxembourg
Grand-Duché de Luxembourg
Phone : (+352) 40 141-1Fax : (+352) 40 448-1Monday to Friday from 8.00 to 16.00