An estimated 1% of EU citizens (some 5,000,000 Europeans) are trans or experience some form of gender variance. The workplace can be a challenging place for trans people, with many having to conceal their identity in order to get and keep a job, to be treated equally by their colleagues and superiors – and sometimes even to ward off the threat of personal attack.

If you are an EU staff member and transitioning is relevant to you or any of your dependents, Egalité will be happy to assist you with the related administrative procedures (e.g. changing the official name and/or gender). The EU institutions treat most transition-related costs as medical expenses reimbursable by the JSIS on a case-by-case basis. It is important that the person concerned requests prior authorisation before undergoing any treatment or procedure.

Medical expenses eligible for reimbursement include ones relating to:

• psychotherapy;

• hormone treatment;

• bottom surgery;

• top surgery (either a mastectomy or breast implants) after at least one year of hormone treatment;

• facial feminisation surgery;

• speech therapy;

• hair removal after at least one year of hormone treatment.