What is the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)?

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£6.80 per week

How to apply for your free EHIC

Don't get tricked by unofficial sites charging you a fee for 'reviewing' or 'forwarding' services. The EHIC is free of charge for all EU citizens. Click here to apply for or renew your EHIC or call 0845 606 2030 for more information.

Many EHICs will expire in June 2011, so make sure that yours is still valid by checking the bottom right-hand corner. You can apply 6 months in advance, giving you ample time to ensure that you don't leave for Europe with an expired card. Because the card takes 7-10 working days to arrive by post, plan ahead and receive your EHIC before you travel.

Will I receive free treatment?

With your EHIC, you have the same medical rights as a citizen of the EU country you're in, meaning that if someone pays for their treatment in their own country, so will you, but if it's free for them, it will be free for you too.

Who needs a European Health Insurance Card?

Whether you're young or old, travelling with family or alone, everyone needs an EHIC in order to benefit. Please note that children under the age of 16 need to be applied for by their parent as 'dependent' under the relevant section of the EHIC application.

Can an EHIC substitute travel insurance?

An EHIC does not act as travel insurance. EHIC is sufficient for medical coverage but the benefits stop there: you are not covered for lost baggage, private hospital care, trip cancellation, or any other instances relating to unfortunate travel incidents. While having an EHIC is extremely useful when you go abroad to the continent, it should not substitute a comprehensive travel insurance policy.

For more information on being covered on European trips please see Europe Travel Insurance.

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