A European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) entitles the holder to the same state-funded medical care as a national of the EU country they are visiting.
Travellers with a valid card may receive free medical assistance, or at least, reduce the level of upfront costs that they have to claim back later.
Even if they do have to pay upfront, showing the card can minimise bureaucracy saving time and hassle when trying to claim money back on return to the UK.
However, it should NOT be used as an alternative to travel insurance!
- The EHIC is only accepted at state-funded hospitals. If urgent assistance is required and only private facilities are available, the EHIC will be of no value.
- The card does not always cover all necessary state-funded treatment.
- The standard of state run medical care varies considerably from country to country.
- EHIC does not cover the cost of Mountain Rescue or Repatriation which can run into tens of thousands of pounds.
- It does not cover medical care in non-EU countries.
If you take out travel insurance please check your policy as many now stipulate that you must have an EHIC card. Failing to do so could invalidate your policy.
The EHIC is a useful tool, it’s only about medical cover, it’s not a replacement for travel insurance, which will generally cover you for other problems including cancellation, delay, repatriation, baggage loss and theft.
If you’re going away, get both!
