VII.4 Access to health care and social assistance A) Summary of international standards Recognition of an individual as a stateless person also triggers the “lawfully staying” rights under the 1954 Convention. Thus access to healthcare and social assistance must accompany a residence permit.103 B) Existing good practices Many stateless persons may be in a vulnerable situation and may need various forms of support by the state providing protection to them. The scope, structure, means, etc. of social and health care systems differ from country to country and it is not easy to identify general benchmarks for good practices. Yet France, Hungary, Italy, Moldova, Slovakia and Spain clearly show positive models; as stateless persons recognised as such in these countries have the same access to health care and social benefits (including unemployment benefits) as nationals. Equal access to health care services is also ensured by the Mexican legislation. Moreover, in France stateless persons – unlike some other foreigners – can request to be entitled to a state-funded minimum subsistence allowance104 immediately upon the recognition of their status. In Moldova, stateless persons can benefit – as a special form of support – from socio-cultural adaptation and language courses, as well as support in finding employment. C) Factors to consider when designing a national system  Under what circumstances do other persons granted international protection (such as refugees) have access to the health care and social assistance? Can this serve as reference for the case of stateless persons?  Do foreigners holding a similar residence permit to that issued to stateless persons (if relevant) have only restricted access to health care and social assistance?  If yes, the law should exempt stateless persons from these restrictions.  Are there specific provisions that ensure the access of certain groups of foreigners (for example refugees, family members of nationals, etc.) to health care services under preferential conditions?  If yes, the scope of these favourable provisions should be extended to stateless persons as well. VII.5 Facilitated naturalisation A) Summary of international standards The legal status of stateless persons should provide the possibility of facilitated naturalisation. In particular, states shall make every effort to expedite naturalisation proceedings and to reduce as far as possible the charges and costs of such proceedings.105 103 See 1954 Convention, Art 23-24; UNHCR Statelessness Guidelines 3, Para 31 104 Revenu de solidarité active, RSA 105 See 1954 Convention, Art 32; UNHCR Statelessness Guidelines 3, Para 29 – Note as well that under the 1997 European Convention on Nationality, states parties shall facilitate the acquisition of nationality of stateless persons (Article 6 (4) (g)) and the standard “waiting 39