Experts Seminar on Access to Health Care for Undocumented Migrants

The first aim of PICUM is promoting the respect for the basic Social Rights of undocumented migrants. One of these rights is the Right to Health Care. The situation, both in law and in practice, relating to this right differs considerably in the different European countries. In some, undocumented migrants have (legally) no access at all to Medical Care, in others, the policy is less restrictive and health provisions tend to be more accessible for this group of migrants.

A comparison of the situation in different countries provides valuable information and opportunities. Arguments and opinions can be exchanged to influence national policy, views and recommendations can be assembled for communication to the relevant European policy makers. To encourage this information exchange, PICUM organised an International Experts Seminar on ‘Access to Health Care for Undocumented Migrants’ on 22 and 23 March 2001, in Brussels.  The Seminar brought together experts in health care for undocumented migrants from the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and Great Britain for a day and a half, to discuss both law and practice concerning access to doctors and hospitals, access to specialists like dentists, access to mental health care, and health insurance. Also the theme of (temporary) residence permits for medical reasons has been addressed. What is laid down in the law, what are the problems, what are possible solutions, what can be learnt form each other’s countries?