1-If you are a European Union citizen
Legal framework
As a citizen of a Member State, you have the right to work in another Member State under the principle of free movement (Directive 2004/38/EC).
Relevant countries include, for example:
Germany
France
Spain
Italy
Can they require medical examinations?
In general: no.
They can only restrict entry or residence due to:
Diseases with epidemic potential according to the WHO
Infectious diseases posing a serious risk to public health
Typical examples:
Active tuberculosis
Highly contagious diseases in active phase
They cannot prohibit you from working due to:
HIV
Chronic Hepatitis B or C
Diabetes
Cancer
Cardiovascular disease
Controlled psychiatric disorders
If they do so without functional or public health justification, it is illegal.
Real exceptions
Some professions require medical fitness:
Healthcare
Armed forces
Aviation
Professional transport
But functional capacity is assessed, not āhaving or not having a diseaseā.
2-If you are NOT a European Union citizen
Here the scenario changes.
Each country may require medical conditions as a prerequisite for:
Work visa
Residence permit
Extension of stay
This depends on the specific country, not the EU as a bloc.
What some countries usually require
General medical certificate
Chest X-ray (to rule out active tuberculosis)
Absence of serious communicable diseases
Mandatory health insurance
But there is no unified European list.
Can permission be denied due to illness?
Yes, but only in specific cases:
Active communicable diseases posing a public risk
Total incapacity to work in the requested position
Serious healthcare economic burden (according to national legislation)
They do not usually deny for:
HIV
Controlled chronic hepatitis
Stable chronic diseases
Germany, France, and Spain do not have general prohibitions for HIV or hepatitis for ordinary work permits.
Important:
The EU does not have a āmedical blacklistā.
The determining factors are:
Risk to public health.
Fitness for the position.
National immigration regulations (if you are not an EU citizen).