Now that the UK has left the European Union, some initiatives that came with it are now obsolete or invalid. One of those is the European Health Insurance Card or EHIC. Good news though, for UK citizens it has been replaced by a new version, the Global Health Insurance Card.
What is the EHIC?
The European Health Insurance Card gives residents of EU countries access to emergency state healthcare while temporarily visiting any EU member state (plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland). It gives EU travellers access to necessary healthcare as if they were a local resident. In some countries it is free and others it comes at a cost, this is based on the healthcare services of the country you are visiting.
A European Health Insurance Card is valid for all ‘temporary’ visits ranging from a short holiday to a 6 month visit to study and you as if you were a resident insured in the country. A good example is if you were a student for 6 months in Spain and broke your leg, you would be entitled to healthcare to fix your break, but also the follow up physiotherapy as if you were a Spanish resident. Likewise, breaking your arm while on holiday would be deemed as necessary care, although by the time you may need physio, you’ll likely be back home.
‘Necessary’ care includes but is no limited to:
- All emergency care
- Initial GP consultation for a new illness
- Vaccinations (only if it is necessary to protect public health)
- Care relating to pregnancy or childbirth
- If you need regular dialysis or chemotherapy
EHIC or GHIC is not a replacement for travel insurance
EHIC or GHIC does not cover:
- Private healthcare costs
- Return flights home
- Lost baggage
- Travel to receive medical treatment
Can I still use my EHIC?
You can still use your EHIC for temporary EU visits until it expires. If you do not have a card, you can obtain a Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC) until you do have one. Please note that the EHIC is no longer valid in Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland for UK residents.
What is the GHIC?
The Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) replaces the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) in the UK. It works the same way as the EHIC, giving you access to state healthcare in the European Union whilst temporarily visiting.
Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland are not included as they are not part of the European Union, for these countries you will need a new UK EHIC, but only if you meet specific criteria:
- EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland nationals who started living in the UK before 1st January 2021, and their families
- some British State Pensioners who started living in the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland before 1st January 2021, and their families
- UK students who started living and studying in the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland before 1st January 2021
How can I get the new Global Health Insurance Card?
It’s really easy to apply for a new GHIC, just head to the NHS website. You need to provide evidence that you’re a UK resident and one card doesn’t cover everyone in the household, so you’ll need to apply for each family member. Luckily, it’s a quick and simple process, you can apply for your GHIC here.
One final thing to remember is that an EHIC or GHIC does not replace travel insurance or provide blanket free healthcare. You will still need travel insurance for the duration of your trip to ensure you’re fully covered.
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