Across the European Union (EU), access to healthcare is a cornerstone of social policy, reflecting the bloc’s commitment to ensuring the well-being of its citizens. One key measure of this accessibility is the proximity of hospitals to where people live. Recent data reveals that in 2023, a substantial 83.2% of the EU population resided within a 15-minute drive of a hospital – a figure that underscores both the strengths and disparities within the region’s healthcare infrastructure.
A Snapshot of Hospital Accessibility
The statistic comes from Eurostat, the EU’s statistical office, which analyzed geographic accessibility based on driving times using data from 2023. This study, aligned with World Health Day on April 7, highlights how effectively healthcare services are distributed across the EU’s diverse urban and rural landscapes. The 15-minute threshold is significant—it represents a reasonable timeframe for emergency medical access, a critical factor in life-or-death situations.
At the regional level, the picture becomes more nuanced. Among the EU’s NUTS 3 regions (a classification for smaller territorial units), 124 regions boasted 100% of their population living within this 15-minute range. Germany dominates this category, accounting for 96 of these regions, largely due to its dense network of hospitals in urban and suburban areas. Other countries with regions achieving full coverage include Belgium (6), the Netherlands (6), Greece (4, all in the capital area), France (4, including Paris and its surroundings), Malta (both of its regions), and Spain, Italy, and Poland (2 each). These areas tend to be urban hubs or densely populated zones where healthcare facilities are more concentrated.
The Other Side of the Spectrum
However, not all regions fare as well. The data identifies 97 NUTS 3 regions where less than 50% of the population lives within a 15-minute drive of a hospital. These regions are predominantly located in eastern and southern EU countries, with Romania leading at 21 such regions, followed by Greece (15), Croatia and Spain (9 each), Poland (8), and Ireland, Portugal, and Slovenia (6 each). This disparity often correlates with rural or peripheral areas, where population density is lower, and infrastructure development faces greater challenges.
Even more striking is a small subset of seven regions where fewer than 10% of residents can reach a hospital in 15 minutes. Four of these are in Greece (Lefkada, Lesvos, Limnos, and Thesprotia, with Lefkada at 0%), and three are in Romania (Covasna, Tulcea, and Mehedinţi). These figures point to significant gaps in healthcare access, often exacerbated by geographic isolation, such as islands or mountainous terrain, and limited resources for hospital construction or maintenance.
What Drives the Differences?
Several factors contribute to this varied landscape of hospital accessibility. Urbanization plays a major role—cities like Paris, Amsterdam, and Berlin naturally have higher hospital density due to larger populations and economic resources. In contrast, rural areas, especially in countries with stretched budgets or challenging topography, struggle to maintain similar levels of coverage. Germany’s success can be attributed to its robust healthcare system and decentralized planning, ensuring even smaller towns have adequate facilities.
The definition of a “hospital” also varies slightly across EU countries, which may affect the data. For some, it includes only major acute-care centers, while others might count smaller facilities with limited services. Nonetheless, the 15-minute metric remains a practical benchmark for assessing how quickly people can access emergency care.
Implications for Policy and People
For the 83.2% of EU residents within a 15-minute drive, this proximity offers peace of mind and tangible health benefits—faster response times can improve outcomes in emergencies like heart attacks or accidents. Yet, for the remaining 16.8%, particularly those in the 97 underserved regions, the distance to a hospital could mean delayed treatment, potentially worsening health disparities across the EU.
This data also ties into broader discussions about the “15-minute city” concept, where essential services—like healthcare, education, and shops—are within a short distance from home. While originally an urban planning idea, its relevance to healthcare access in both urban and rural contexts is clear. Bridging the gap in underserved regions could involve mobile health units, improved transportation, or strategic hospital placement—solutions that require investment and political will.
Looking Ahead
As the EU population ages and healthcare demands grow, ensuring equitable access will remain a priority. The 2023 figures are a testament to the bloc’s achievements—83.2% is no small feat—but they also highlight where work remains. Countries like Romania and Greece, with significant numbers of underserved regions, may need targeted support from EU funds or national initiatives to close the gap.
In the meantime, this snapshot of hospital accessibility serves as both a celebration of progress and a call to action. For most Europeans, a hospital is just a short drive away, but for others, the journey is still too long. Balancing this equation will be key to upholding the EU’s promise of health for all.
