The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) entitles travellers to free or reduced cost medical treatment in most European Economic Area (EEA) countries in the event of illness or accident whilst on holiday. The EEA consists of the European Union (EU) countries plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. Switzerland applies the EHIC arrangements through a separate agreement with the EU.

The EHIC now covers Austria, Belgium, Cyprus (but not Northern Cyprus), Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain (incl Balearics & Canaries), Sweden and Switzerland.

Some other countries also have reciprocal arrangements, but these are often organised separately from the EHIC Scheme.

If you are ill and have to seek medical help, you will be asked to produce the EHIC. If you do not have one and you do not have travel insurance, you will be expected to pay the cost of your treatment in full.

You can apply for an EHIC for your spouse/partner and any children up to the age of 16 (or 19 if they are in full-time education) at the same time as applying for your own. If you are a foster parent or guardian, you can apply on behalf of any children you are looking after. You must be over 16 to apply as a main applicant.

It is essential that you have both travel insurance and an EHIC. This is because only state-provided emergency treatment is covered by the EHIC, and you will receive treatment on the same terms as nationals of the country you are visiting. Private treatment is generally not covered, and state-provided treatment may not cover all of the things that you would expect to receive free of charge from the NHS.

Furthermore, the EHIC does not cover aspects of travel insurance such as lost or stolen baggage, lost or stolen passports, travel cancellation, delays etc. The EHIC does not cover repatriation to the United Kingdom.

Some travel insurance companies insist that you have an EHIC and others may offer incentives such as a reduction or a waiving of the excess applicable to the policy.

If you are suffering from a pre-existing condition or a chronic condition this can be included under the EHIC scheme, but you must not use the EHIC if you are travelling to a country for the purpose of obtaining medical treatment.

For UK citizens, there are three ways of applying for your EHIC from the Department of Health:

1. Online - please click HERE to apply online (normal EHIC delivery time 7 days)

2. By phoning 0845 606 2030 (normal EHIC delivery time 10 days)

3. By post, using an EHIC form and pre-addressed envelope supplied by the Post Office (normal EHIC delivery time 21 days).

The EHIC should never be considered as an adequate alternative for a comprehensive travel insurance policy.

For further information on the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), please read
http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/TravelHealth/Pages/Travelhealthhome.aspx

The Republic of Ireland introduced the EHIC much earlier than the UK, back in June 2004. Please click HERE for details of how to apply, if you live in ROI.

Please note that the European Health Insurance Card is a replacement for the E111, which ceased to be valid as from 31 December 2005.

David