European health insurance card: Learn about the European Health Insurance Card’s coverage, how to obtain one, and who is eligible.
For years, the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) has been a fixture of European travel, providing travelers with peace of mind that if they require immediate medical attention, they may receive it regardless of insurance coverage.
A recent study, however, revealed a significant disparity in the proportion of British citizens who have this essential health insurance card and those who do not, leaving tens of millions of travelers vulnerable. And what is the primary cause of the coverage gap? A misunderstanding of the EHIC’s purpose and coverage.
Insurance Business intends to fill this knowledge gap by describing how the European Health Insurance Card works for UK residents, what benefits they can get, and what has changed since Brexit. If you’re still debating if this health insurance card is worthwhile, this article can assist you. This post could be the start of an essential conversation with a client for insurance professionals in the UK who commonly visit our site.
What is the European Health Insurance Card?
According to the European Commission’s website, the EHIC allows cardholders to obtain “medically necessary, state-provided healthcare” for free or at a reduced cost in European Union (EU) member nations.
Following the country’s exit from the EU, the UK government issued the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) in 2021 as a substitute for the EHIC. The GHIC provides UK residents with the same access to healthcare as the European Health Insurance Card in EU countries.
Existing EHICs will expire in four years, at which point those who apply for renewal will be awarded a GHIC. Cardholders, on the other hand, can continue to use their EHICs to receive the same advantages until they expire.
Read More: Bupa: Everything you need to know
What does European Health Insurance Card cover?
If you are traveling to an EU member state or Switzerland, the EHIC and GHIC will cover the cost of emergency or essential medical care. Medically required healthcare is defined by the National Health Service (NHS) as a treatment that “cannot reasonably wait until you return to the UK.” This includes the following:
- Emergency care and trips to a hospital’s accident and emergency (A&E) department.
- Long-term or pre-existing medical problem treatment.
- Pre-existing condition monitoring as part of routine medical care.
- Routine maternity care, as long as you are not giving birth overseas.
- Therapy with oxygen.
- Dialysis of the kidneys.
However, having a Global or European Health Insurance Card does not ensure free coverage. Because each country has its own healthcare system, a medical service that is free in one country may not be free in another. Finally, whether or not a treatment is deemed required is determined by the healthcare provider in the country you are visiting.
Who are eligible for a European Health Insurance Card?
Global Health Insurance Card
With the introduction of the Global Health Insurance Card, existing European Health Insurance Cards will no longer be renewed. If you match one of the following conditions, you may be eligible for a UK GHIC:
- You are a legal resident of the United Kingdom and do not have healthcare coverage through an EU member country or Switzerland.
- You are a resident of the EU or Switzerland having a registered S1 form issued by the UK government (previously known as E106, E109, E120, and E121 forms).
- You have an A1 certificate issued by the UK government and live in the EU or Switzerland.
- You are a family member or dependent of one of the above-mentioned entitled individuals.
New UK European Health Insurance Card
Certain persons, however, can still renew their EHIC. A Union flag hologram in the top-right corner distinguishes the new European Health Insurance Card. If you match one of the following conditions, you may be eligible for a new UK EHIC:
- You were a resident of an EU-member nation, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein prior to January 1, 2021, and you have a registered S1 form issued by the UK government.
- You have lived in the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein with an A1 certificate issued by the UK government prior to January 1, 2021.
- You are a national of an EU member country, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein who legally resided in the United Kingdom prior to January 1, 2021, and are covered by the Withdrawal Agreement.
- You are an EU national who normally resides in the UK but is studying in an EU-member state, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein, and your course began before January 1, 2021.
- You are a family member or dependent of one of the above-mentioned entitled individuals.
- You look after Chen and Ibrahim/Teixeira.
Dual citizens
If you are a dual national living in the UK who holds both UK and EU, Icelandic, Liechtenstein, Norwegian, or Swiss citizenship, you will not be eligible for a new UK EHIC unless you meet the following criteria:
- Naturalisation has granted you British citizenship.
- Before becoming a British citizen, you were a citizen of an EU country, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein.
People born in the UK
Those born in the UK to British parents or parents who settled and stayed in the Kingdom prior to January 1, 2021, are likewise ineligible for a new UK EHIC, even if they have EU, Swiss, Norwegian, Icelandic, or Liechtenstein citizenship. This includes Northern Irish citizens who are also Irish nationals. However, they are usually eligible for a UK GHIC.
Irish nationals
Meanwhile, citizens of Ireland may be able to obtain a new UK European Health Insurance Card if they are:
- You must be a UK State Pensioner or receive other exportable benefits and have lived in the Republic of Ireland prior to January 1, 2021.
- A border worker is someone who works in one country while living in another, and they were one before January 1, 2021.
In which countries can you use your EHIC or GHIC?
If you are traveling to the following countries, you must have a GHIC or a current European Health Insurance Card.
EU countries
There are currently 27 EU member states:
Switzerland
You can use your GHIC or EHIC in Switzerland if you meet one of the following criteria:
- UK national
- Swiss national
- EU citizen
- Refugee
- Stateless person
- Dependant or survivor of someone with one of these nationalities or statuses
Before using your GHIC or EHIC to obtain healthcare in Switzerland, you may be requested to present proof of your nationality.
Is my European Health Insurance Card still valid after Brexit?
One of the most significant consequences of the UK’s exit from the EU is that the GHIC and most European Health Insurance Cards no longer offer Brits the coverage they previously had in these three countries:
- Iceland
- Liechtenstein
- Norway
The sole exemption is if you were in these nations prior to January 1, 2021. If this is the case, you can continue to use your current EHIC until you depart, as long as it hasn’t expired.
Norway, on the other hand, permits travelers with UK passports to receive free or reduced-cost medical care. Otherwise, you will need to obtain a new EHIC in order to receive state-sponsored medical treatment in these countries.
Is the European Health Insurance Card valid in the UK?
Yes, if you are not a resident of the United Kingdom. The GHIC and EHIC are not valid in your country of residence. The NHS, the UK’s publicly funded healthcare system, provides free medical treatment to citizens.
In our global health insurance guide, you may learn about the UK’s healthcare system, as well as those in other nations.
Will my Global Health Insurance Card cover me worldwide?
Not at all. The GHIC’s “global” reach is limited to EU countries and Switzerland. The United Kingdom, on the other hand, has reciprocal healthcare arrangements with non-EU countries. The requirements vary per nation, however, you will normally need to produce proof of UK citizenship, such as a passport. It is not necessary to have a Global or European Health Insurance Card.
According to GOV. The UK, the following countries have reciprocal healthcare agreements with the UK.
How much does a European Health Insurance Card cost?
One of the reasons Brits indicated their unwillingness to register for a European Health Insurance Card, or GHIC, was the cost, according to a survey performed by the travel insurance expert Direct Line. They were under the impression that they had to pay to get their EHIC updated with a GHIC, with the average cost estimated to be £9.30.
This is most likely the outcome of various dishonest websites requesting payment from applicants.
The government, on the other hand, reminded UK nationals that the EHIC AND GHIC ARE FREE OF CHARGE and that they should apply for these health insurance cards solely through the NHS website.
Applicants must be at least 16 years old and must create an account using the NHS form. Those under the age of 16 will require a parent or guardian to apply on their behalf.
What happens if you don’t have your EHIC or GHIC with you?
If the need arises and you do not have your Global or European Health Insurance Card, you will need to obtain a Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC) in order to obtain medically necessary healthcare. The PRC will offer the same benefits as the EHIC and GHIC.
The NHS Overseas Healthcare Services can help you apply for a PRC. You must include the following information in your application:
- Your National Insurance number
- Your name
- Your address
- Your date of birth
- The name of the treatment facility
- The email address for the specific department of the healthcare provider
Can EHIC or GHIC replace travel insurance?
While both a European and a Global Health Insurance Card can be used in medical emergencies, they do not cover all treatments and healthcare services. It is still preferable to get a separate travel insurance policy for complete coverage when traveling.
A separate travel insurance policy can provide financial protection that goes beyond medical treatment, such as:
- Trip cancellation and interruption
- Lost or delayed luggage
- Flight delays
- Personal liability
- Legal expenses
Rather than viewing these health insurance cards as a replacement for travel insurance, the EHIC and GHIC may be better viewed as a supplement to comprehensive travel policies.
Do you want to share your experience applying for a European Health Insurance Card? Fill up the blanks with your opinions in the comments box below.
People Also Ask
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What is the European Health Insurance Card?
According to the European Commission’s website, the EHIC allows cardholders to obtain “medically necessary, state-provided healthcare” for free or at a reduced cost in European Union (EU) member nations.
Following the country’s exit from the EU, the UK government issued the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) in 2021 as a substitute for the EHIC. The GHIC provides UK residents with the same access to healthcare as the European Health Insurance Card in EU countries. -
How much does a European Health Insurance Card cost?
One of the reasons Brits indicated their unwillingness to register for a European Health Insurance Card, or GHIC, was the cost, according to a survey performed by the travel insurance expert Direct Line. They were under the impression that they had to pay to get their EHIC updated with a GHIC, with the average cost estimated to be £9.30.
