EUREGHA publishes new position statement on strengthening cross-border healthcare in European border regions

EUREGHA has published its new position statement, “Strengthening Cross-Border Healthcare in European Border Regions: Towards a Competitive, Inclusive, and Resilient Europe”, developed in view of the post-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework.

The statement is the result of EUREGHA’s Working Group on Cross-Border Healthcare Cooperation and builds on the concrete experiences, insights and contributions of EUREGHA members. It highlights the strategic importance of cross-border healthcare cooperation for more integrated, inclusive and resilient health systems across Europe, drawing on concrete cross-border experiences and initiatives, including #ACCESS, Cerdanya Hospital, Salute/Zdravko, and EGTC GO projects such as ITI Salute/Zdravstvo, which illustrate the practical relevance of cross-border cooperation for healthcare access, workforce mobility, territorial cohesion and service delivery.

Border regions represent around 40% of the EU’s territory, host approximately 30% of its population and generate about 30% of EU GDP. For this reason, cross-border healthcare should not be considered a marginal issue, but a key dimension of European integration, territorial cohesion and health system resilience.

What we highlighted in our position statement:

• Recognising cross-border healthcare as a strategic EU priority:  

Cross-border cooperation can improve access to care, strengthen services in border regions and support more efficient use of resources across health systems.

• Strengthening the role of local and regional authorities: 

Regions and local authorities are essential actors in delivering healthcare close to citizens and adapting cooperation models to territorial realities. The statement also highlights the importance of European Groupings of Territorial Cooperation as stable governance structures to support joint planning, implementation and management of cross-border services.

• Moving towards a territorial and place-based approach:

EU instruments such as Directive 2011/24/EU, Interreg and Cohesion Policy provide important frameworks, but their impact depends on tailor-made implementation and stronger involvement of local actors, including hospitals and health insurance bodies.

• Leveraging EU tools to remove cross-border barriers:

The statement underlines the potential of Bridge4EU to help identify and address legal and administrative obstacles affecting cross-border public services, including healthcare. Its impact will depend on active use by national authorities and close coordination with border regions.

• Supporting long-term cooperation frameworks:

Cross-border healthcare initiatives should move beyond fragmented projects towards more structured and sustainable cooperation models, supported by stable funding, governance arrangements and stronger institutional capacity.

• Strengthening research, data and evidence:

More robust research and data on cross-border healthcare systems are needed to better understand patient pathways, health inequalities, system performance and persistent barriers in border regions. This evidence is essential to support more effective and place-based policymaking.

• Aligning the next MFF with territorial health needs:

The post-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework is a key opportunity to ensure that health remains a strategic and cross-cutting priority, with investments reaching regional and local levels where impact is most directly felt, with cross-border areas recognised as key spaces for cooperation, cohesion, and more equitable access to care.

Through its Working Group on Cross-Border Healthcare Cooperation, EUREGHA will continue supporting exchanges between members and bringing the perspective of local and regional health authorities into EU-level discussions. Building on members’ contributions, EUREGHA will continue advocating for a stronger territorial approach to cross-border healthcare – one that empowers border regions to deliver more equitable, efficient and resilient health systems across Europe.