Brits holidaying abroad this year are being urged to get a free health insurance card before travelling to 34 countries. The UK Global Health Insurance card (GHIC) allows you to get necessary healthcare in the European Economic Area (EEA), and several other countries, on the same terms as local residents.
It means that if you need healthcare while abroad, you may be able to get it for free or you’ll pay the equivalent to what locals would pay. Without the card, it’s likely that you’d have to fork out for the full cost of medical treatment which can be extremely expensive. The GHIC replaced the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) – also known as the ‘E111’ – but they both essentially do the same thing. If you still have an EHIC you can still use it until the expiry date on the card, but after that you’ll need to replace it with a GHIC.
The card can be used to get state healthcare that “cannot reasonably wait” until you get back to the UK, which includes things like emergency treatment, A&E visits, treatment or routine medical care for long-term or pre-existing medical conditions, or routine maternity care (providing you aren’t going abroad to give birth).
The NHS explains: “The UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) lets you get necessary state healthcare in the European Economic Area (EEA), and some other countries, on the same basis as a resident of that country. This may be free or it may require a payment equivalent to that which a local resident would pay.
“The UK GHIC has replaced the existing European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). If you have an existing EHIC you can continue to use it until the expiry date on the card. Once it expires, you’ll need to apply for a UK GHIC to replace it. You can apply for a new card up to 9 months before your current card expires.”
You can use your free UK GHIC when you’re visiting any of the following 34 countries:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Republic of Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Montenegro
- Australia
- Jersey
- Guernsey
- The Isle of Man
- St Helena, Tristan and Ascension
- Switzerland
A GHIC is free to get and it lasts for up to five years. You can apply for one via the NHS website and you’ll need to provide your full name, address, date of birth and National Insurance number, or Health and Care number if you’re from Northern Ireland. Every member of your family needs their own card, but you can add them to your application when you apply.
You should get an email confirmation within 24 hours to let you know whether your application has been approved or not, and if it is you should get your free card within 15 working days through the post.