Research will be carried on two levels: Europewide initiatives and through in-depth case studies. Both perspectives will cover the following issues:

• Legal Framework at the EU and national level, including recent EU jurisprudence in relation to patient and provider mobility.
  
  

• Situational Analysis: patterns of patient mobility, contracting arrangements, patient orientation and information, communication between professionals, etc.
  
  

• Case Studies on cross-border arrangements, purchased care and long-term residents (Ireland, Belgium/UK, Spain, Slovenia/Austria, Estonia/Finland).
  
  

• Identification of options for change in terms of primary legislation and practical and monitoring arrangements related to patient mobility.