115 Universal health coverage for undocumented migrants in the WHO European region: a long way to go

Abstract OP 17: Refugees and Asylum Seekers 1, B210 (FCSH), September 4, 2025, 13:30 - 14:30 Aim The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) call for equitable Universal Health Coverage (UHC) for all, including undocumented migrants. In the WHO European region, undocumented migrants face significant barriers to UHC. This project aimed to conduct a rapid literature review to map healthcare and social welfare access for undocumented migrants in the European region, summarise their health status, and create a call for action for UHC for all migrants by 2030. Methods A rapid literature review was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar, and grey literature from 2018-2023. Studies included both qualitative and quantitative research. The search used the terms “undocumented migrants AND health access AND Europe,” yielding 178 results, of which 48 were included. A series of roundtable meetings were conducted to craft the call for action based on the review findings, and healthcare access and health status was mapped based on the literature. Results Switzerland and France provided the highest level of free access to UHC for undocumented migrants, but most countries in Eastern Europe offered no healthcare or welfare support. There were many instances of non-governmental organisations bridging the gap in UHC for undocumented migrants across the region, but this was unsustainable. Small-scale studies indicated that many undocumented migrants in the region experience poor health, but comprehensive data were lacking. There were many examples of poor access to healthcare due to unfamiliarity with the host country healthcare system, lack of interpreters, and high out-of-pocket costs. Key recommendations include extending legal entitlements to UHC, improving secure migration health data, policies addressing wider determinants of health, and participatory approaches in UHC initiatives. Conclusion With the 2030 SDGs approaching, achieving UHC for all remains an urgent task. The treatment of undocumented migrants in the European region and beyond reflects broader human rights and dignity, and the time for action is now.