Free HIV Treatment in Europe

[user1313]

I am currently living in Venezuela and since my country is falling apart by the minute as I write this, I am planning to move and do a Masters Degree in Europe.

One of my biggest concerns is that I have no idea where to go since I need to have my HIV antiretroviral treatment.

Can anyone help me know in which country (ies) in Europe I could receive free HIV treatment being a foreign student?

Thanks so much for your help!

[Jeff G]

Welcome to the forum ! Here is a resource guide that may be of help .

http://www.aidsmap.com/e-atlas

[user1313]

Welcome to the forum ! Here is a resource guide that may be of help .

http://www.aidsmap.com/e-atlas

Thanks so much Jeff, it’s my pleasure to be here. Thank you for all your support.

I have come across this aidsmap before, but i don’t quite get familiar with the search  engine. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance!

[Jeff G]

Thanks so much Jeff, it’s my pleasure to be here. Thank you for all your support.

I have come across this aidsmap before, but i don’t quite get familiar with the search  engine. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance!

If you are having trouble with navigating the site on aidsmap you can also do google searches for HIV services in your city and town or nearby locations . You will be surprised at what you can find that way .

The aidsmap site is pretty straight forward with drop down boxes and search categories . The home page that you see first has a box to click for resources in the area you type in .

Its heartbreaking to hear your home country is in turmoil and I hope you are able to get to a safe place . Its important to remember that no matter where you go there is no such thing as free healthcare because someone is paying for it even if you don't .

Some of our European members may can assist with some ideas and tell you which countrys offer the best refuge for a poz immigrant person with limited resources .

Im wishing you the very best .

[user1313]

If you are having trouble with navigating the site on aidsmap you can also do google searches for HIV services in your city and town or nearby locations . You will be surprised at what you can find that way .

The aidsmap site is pretty straight forward with drop down boxes and search categories . The home page that you see first has a box to click for resources in the area you type in .

Its heartbreaking to hear your home country is in turmoil and I hope you are able to get to a safe place . Its important to remember that no matter where you go there is no such thing as free healthcare because someone is paying for it even if you don't .

Some of our European members may can assist with some ideas and tell you which countrys offer the best refuge for a poz immigrant person with limited resources .

Im wishing you the very best .

Thanks so much, once again.

I will try to use the search engine on the aidsmap page, as well as google search to do my best.

I will also look forward any other type of help/suggestions from other members, specially the ones living in Europe.

I understand that there is no such thing as free healthcare, in Venezuela (where i am currently living), the government offers free antiretrovirals meds for Venezuelan citizens as well as foreigners.

Nevertheless, medical checks and other inquiries may run on the patient’s responsibility.

Thank you so much for everything, I hope to find what I’m looking for.

[mecch]

You would need to get accepted at a university, and arrange the appropriate visas for the time period involved. Once that is in order there probably a number of countries where the national health service or the private insurance scheme are going to take HIV treatment in stride.
I know of no European country that has "open borders - all HIV+ people welcome for free treatment."  I know of no country that has a ban on HIV+ students...  So if a student enters through the regular process, then HIV is probably secondary.

Are you looking to study here, then leave? European countries like that!
Or is this really a wish to immigrate? European countries actively police against that!

Again, for immigration, I don't think any (?) european countries ban immigration because of HIV+ status. Rather the challenge is going through the normal vetting process that applies to anyone immigrating???

Switzerland will let foreign students linger here for any number of years dilly dallying from one university to another, just as swiss nationals have the right to flail through many different higher education programmes.  However, once a foreign student flunks out, immigration will deport him and pretty quickly. Similarly, after graduation, unless some employer gets the foreign new worker the normal worker permit, out he/she goes...

 

[MaxellSmith]

Hi,

I am from Spain. In my country if you are a descent from Spanish people you can apply for nationality, as in some other European countries (i.e. Italy). You could get your medications that way. In case you aren't, then you should look for a job as soon as you get here. If you have a job then you automatically apply for the National Health System and get your meds. In Spain we have a very strict policy against immigrants who aren't working and want to use our healthcare system (meaning they make you pay for all the treatments, and a HIV ARV therapy could be something like 750 € per month). It doesn't matter if it is a shitty 4 hours a day job, as long as you have one you can demand a doctor and begin your treatment.
And also, it depends not only on the country but also the 'region' inside of the country you are going to travel to (and in many European countries regions function as mini-countries themselves). For example, if you come to Spain - Madrid: http://www.madrid.org/cs/Satellite?cid=1156748167732&idPaginaAsociada=1156748167732&language=es&pagename=PortalInmigrante%2FPage%2FINMI_portadillaUnaColumna
But this is only valid for Madrid. Any other region in Spain and country in Europe has different laws regarding their health systems.

Good luck.

[user1313]

You would need to get accepted at a university, and arrange the appropriate visas for the time period involved. Once that is in order there probably a number of countries where the national health service or the private insurance scheme are going to take HIV treatment in stride.
I know of no European country that has "open borders - all HIV+ people welcome for free treatment."  I know of no country that has a ban on HIV+ students...  So if a student enters through the regular process, then HIV is probably secondary.

Are you looking to study here, then leave? European countries like that!
Or is this really a wish to immigrate? European countries actively police against that!

Again, for immigration, I don't think any (?) european countries ban immigration because of HIV+ status. Rather the challenge is going through the normal vetting process that applies to anyone immigrating???

Switzerland will let foreign students linger here for any number of years dilly dallying from one university to another, just as swiss nationals have the right to flail through many different higher education programmes.  However, once a foreign student flunks out, immigration will deport him and pretty quickly. Similarly, after graduation, unless some employer gets the foreign new worker the normal worker permit, out he/she goes...

Thanks very much for all the information. I will keep that in mind.

My goal, primarily, is to get my studies done and then see what can I do before I decide to get back to where I’m from.

Thanks again!

[user1313]

Hi,

I am from Spain. In my country if you are a descent from Spanish people you can apply for nationality, as in some other European countries (i.e. Italy). You could get your medications that way. In case you aren't, then you should look for a job as soon as you get here. If you have a job then you automatically apply for the National Health System and get your meds. In Spain we have a very strict policy against immigrants who aren't working and want to use our healthcare system (meaning they make you pay for all the treatments, and a HIV ARV therapy could be something like 750 € per month). It doesn't matter if it is a shitty 4 hours a day job, as long as you have one you can demand a doctor and begin your treatment.
And also, it depends not only on the country but also the 'region' inside of the country you are going to travel to (and in many European countries regions function as mini-countries themselves). For example, if you come to Spain - Madrid: http://www.madrid.org/cs/Satellite?cid=1156748167732&idPaginaAsociada=1156748167732&language=es&pagename=PortalInmigrante%2FPage%2FINMI_portadillaUnaColumna
But this is only valid for Madrid. Any other region in Spain and country in Europe has different laws regarding their health systems.

Good luck.

Thank you so much. You have no idea how this information has been helpful to me. I will take a look at the link you provided.

Have a great day.