European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) entitles EU citizens access to medical treatment, at reduced cost or sometimes free, when temporarily visiting a European Union (EU) country, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland.
Presenting the EHIC entitles you to treatment that may become necessary during your trip, but doesn't allow you to go abroad specifically to receive medical care.
What does the EHIC cover?
- any medical treatment that becomes necessary during your stay because of either illness or an accident
- access to reduced-cost or free medical treatment from state healthcare providers
- same basis treatment as a resident of the country you are visiting i.e. you may have to pay a patient contribution (also known as a co-payment)
- treatment of a chronic or pre-existing medical condition that becomes necessary during your visit.
What won't the EHIC cover me for?
- The EHIC is not a substitute or replacement for private travel insurance. You should always take out an appropriate private policy in addition to carrying your EHIC
- It will not cover costs of private healthcare or services that are not part of the state healthcare system
- It will not allow you to go abroad to specifically receive treatment
More information on EHIC can be found on the European Commission - Health abroad website and UK National Health Services country-by-country guide.
