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Europe moves one step closer to creating a "single healthcare zone" as member states with a majority vote approved Spanish Presidency proposals on patient mobility yesterday at the EU health ministers summit.

The approved draft is based on consensus between the positions of member states and the European Commission. Under the new rules, the member state which is the primary residence of the patient would have to bear the costs of treatment. However, should a patient choose to return to their original native state in the Union then the costs would be borne by the patient's actual national government.  The patient would need to seek approval from health care authorities in their primary residence country before seeking treatement in a third EU country.

The Health Commissioner John Dalli said this new agreement would "guarantee that European patients know their rights for receiving cross-border health care". The agreement is an important step towards forging a community framework for patient rights in the EU.