Health & Wellbeing

It depends. In most cases, if your medication is not available, an alternative will be.

We recommend consulting your doctor far in advance to determine if your current medication is available in your destination country. And if not, create a plan to switch to an available alternative.

Before your departure, we recommend bringing 90 days’ worth of your medication (the legal limit allowed in the EU) to ensure you have enough to safely hold you over. As soon as you arrive abroad, find a local doctor to prescribe you the local version of your medication, or to help you safely transition to an alternative.

Unfortunately, most US doctors and therapists can not consult patients residing abroad. In most cases, the doctor must hold a license to practice in the patient’s location, which is uncommon.

Moreover, due to the high prices associated with healthcare in the US, most European health insurance providers will not fully cover the cost of treatment in the US. We recommend finding a local provider.

Yes! Finding an English-speaking therapist abroad is possible across Europe. Although, depending on your location, it can be a challenge.

We recommend starting your search by checking the services offered by your university. If your university does not offer adequate therapy or psychological counseling sessions that fit your needs, ask if they can offer a referral.

Some countries have a searchable database of doctors. You may be able to filter by language to narrow your search, such as DoctorAnytime in Belgium.

TW: Rape, violence

Across Europe, the standard practice is to permit abortion on request for at least the first trimester of pregnancy. This means that the patient can have an elective abortion during this time without any particular reason or a doctor’s approval to receive abortion services.

The time limit is typically increased to 18 weeks in cases such as rape, sexual violence, incest, medical necessity, fetal diagnosis, or even socio-economic circumstances.

There are no time limits when there is a risk to the pregnant person’s health or life.

However, Poland and Malta, along with a few microstates such as the Vatican City, have very restrictive abortion laws, which create challenges for access. Moreover, some countries, such as the Netherlands and the Czech Republic, have barriers to access for international students. In the Netherlands, the healthcare fund that makes abortion free for most Dutch residents is not open to international students, which means students must pay out of pocket. In the Czech Republic, the law only specifies that EU citizens can access abortion, but leaves out any mention of third-country nationals (non-EU foreigners). As a result, medical practitioners may refuse services to international students, citing the lack of clear legislation.

Read about how abortion in the EU compares to the US

If you are already receiving gender-affirming healthcare, talk to your doctor or health provider about what a move abroad might entail. Access to gender affirming hormones, medications, and surgeries varies across Europe and may not be as accessible as in your home state. Make sure you thoroughly research the laws and health insurance options for students in the country in which you are planning to study. You can also consult the Trans Rights Map from TGEU for more information on access to gender affirming healthcare across Europe.

It depends on the type of service animal. In the EU, legally recognized guide dogs might receive more consistent acceptance than other service or emotional support animals (AccessibleEU+1). But rules differ by country, university, and facility. Some may require proof of training or that the animal performs specific tasks. You should contact your prospective university and check the national regulations in your destination.

For more information, visit the Assistance Dogs International website.