FAQs

Any UK citizen or permanent resident who plans to travel within the EU.

All EEA countries including Switzerland.

European Health Insurance Card. The EHIC card allows anyone who is covered by a social security scheme of the EEA countries and Switzerland to receive medical treatment in any other member state for free or at a reduced cost.

The EHIC card is valid for 5 years. You may renew the card six months prior to the expiry date or after it has expired. We offer an auto-renew service if you apply through (website-name). We will remind you that your EHIC card is about to expire and renew it for you.

Don’t scrimp on the travel insurance though, you’ll still want to be covered for flights home in an emergency situation, and for theft, delay and cancellation. And don’t be tempted to lie to your insurer about your health status, as in the event of a claim they can refuse to pay out.

The EHIC entitles you to receive treatment that is deemed medically necessary whilst you are travelling in any of the relevant countries. The EHIC card can be used to either get completely free treatment or treatment at a substantially subsidized rate. This card enables people to continue their trip even in case of medical emergencies, without cancelling or cutting their trips short.

Yes – the EHIC is individual and you will need to obtain an EHIC for each of your children. Please note that our system will accept applications on a single form for up to 2 adults and up to 4 dependent children for only one fee (£14.99 standard or £19.99 express processing).

No – You can use the EHIC in order to receive medical treatment when found necessary and when the need has arisen unexpectedly.

If none of your personal details have changed, you can fill out the form on our website without your PIN and your EHIC will be renewed. If only your address has changed, you can simply enter your new address on our form and the cards will be sent to that address.

Many people confuse this facility as an alternative to travel insurance. This card does not cover the usual benefits associated with healthcare or travel insurance such as flight charges or air ambulances. Hence, it is essential to have the regular travel and health insurance while travelling in addition to EHIC.

You’ll often hear people talking about E111 when it comes to travelling overseas to the European Union countries and accessing healthcare there. There’s a lot of confusion about E111 and EHIC – are the two the same thing?
E111 is EHIC’s predecessor. E111 was a paper form you got from the Post Office, listing all of the members of the family, and was used if you needed to see doctors or go to hospital overseas. E111 was discontinued in 2004, and replaced with EHIC. Rather than being a paper form, EHIC is a credit card sized piece of plastic and each member of the family has their own card, which makes separate travel much more straightforward.
If you’re still carrying the old E111 form around with you, then it’s time to organise a replacement. E111 will no longer be accepted, and your only alternative is applying for an EHIC instead.

In addition to your name, address and date of birth, you’ll need either your National Insurance number or NHS number to apply for your EHIC cover. This is needed to prove your status as “ordinarily resident” in the UK and therefore eligible for EHIC cover from the British NHS. 

NHS number – this is the number which is used by your doctor or hospital to identify you. You’ll find it on correspondence from your GP or hospital. In Scotland, it’s known as the CHI number. If you can’t find it, the staff at your GP surgery should be able to help.

National Insurance number – you’ll find this on your pay slip, or on letters from HMRC. If you’re not working, your National Insurance number will be on letters from the Benefits office. If you have neither an NHS or an NI number, check your eligibility for EHIC on the NHS helpline.

This isn’t as simple a question as it might first appear, as there are lots of different ways of defining what is “British” and what is “foreign”. When it comes to EHIC, European Union law comes into play. Anyone who is resident in the UK and works here, whether or not they are a British citizen or hold a UK passport is deemed to be British for purposes of EHIC. This covers many foreign workers living in the UK, who can apply for EHIC.

Other groups of foreign nationals are not covered. These include students, people posted temporarily to the UK by an employer overseas, or people who have retired overseas but are not working. These people are not generally entitled to EHIC from the UK government, but in the example of a student from Italy or a worker from Germany, they can apply to their own governments for EHIC issued there.

Even if you don’t know much about the EHIC scheme and how it works, you’ll know that it’s a healthcare system which has something to do with the EU. Knowing that the UK is going to be leaving the European Union, it’s reasonable to think that there’s no point in either getting a new EHIC or replacing an expired one.

However, we’re still in the EU, and will still be until the Spring of 2019 at least. After that there may be a transition period, and after that the UK government may agree to continue the reciprocal agreement of EHIC with the other countries which are currently part of the system. So it’s business as usual until we’re told otherwise. Continue to apply for new EHIC cards, renew the cards which are expiring, and use state healthcare across the countries of the European Economic Area.

In many countries which accept EHIC, patients accessing treatment are asked to make a small contribution towards the cost of their treatment in the state sector. As EHIC is designed to give you the same rights as nationals of the country concerned, you’ll be asked to make these contributions too. You won’t be able to ask the NHS to refund any money once you return to the UK.
Every country differs in what contributions patients are asked to make. Fees for overnight stays in hospital are fairly standard, as are charges to see a GP or prescription charges. Any charges should be explained to you in full, but ask if you don’t understand. Always ask for a receipt for any payments you make. If your contributions are more than the excess on your travel insurance policy, it may be possible to reclaim your expenses that way.

EHIC has many benefits for people travelling overseas but it doesn’t cover everything. The most important exclusions are as follows.

Private treatment – EHIC will never cover the costs of treatment in a private clinic, in a private hospital or by a private doctor, so make sure you are clear about the type of healthcare provider you are accessing.

Cosmetic treatment – EHIC is only designed to cover the costs of essential treatment, not cosmetic procedures or any type of surgery which can be considered elective.

Giving Birth – if you unexpectedly go into labour while overseas, EHIC can be used to get you into a state maternity unit. However, it will not cover women in situations where their only reason for travelling is to give birth in a specific country or hospital.

Local differences – Every country has differences in its healthcare system, so don’t assume that everything covered in the UK will be covered overseas. Dental care and extra services like physiotherapy is often not included.

Getting your EHIC through the post is just the beginning of the process. If you need to seek medical attention overseas, the first thing to establish is that you’re going to a state hospital or doctor as EHIC can’t be used in the private sector. If you’re asking other people to make arrangements for you to get to hospital or see a doctor, make sure they’re aware that you have EHIC and want to be treated under that system.

You’ll need to have your card with you to get care overseas, and show it to medical staff at the front desk along with your passport. They may well want to take copies of your documents. If you’re transferred elsewhere for tests or further treatment, show them your EHIC too. If you run into any difficulties having your EHIC accepted, call the NHS helpline who can advise on the specifics of your situation.

When issued, EHIC is valid for five years. Your EHIC’s expiry date will be clearly printed on your card. If you’ve applied for EHIC cover for all members of the family at the same time, everyone’s cards will expire at the same time. If you’ve applied for cards as children have been born then cards may all expire at different times so make sure you keep on top of when everyone’s cards run out.

You don’t have to wait until your EHIC has expired to apply for a new one. In fact, it’s best to apply for a renewal before your EHIC runs out so you’re not without cover. You can apply to renew your EHIC when your old one has six months or less to run. Your new EHIC will have a validity of five years from the original expiry date, not the date of your renewal.

Sometimes the unexpected happens and you find yourself in the position of needing treatment at a hospital or GP overseas, and you can’t find your EHIC anywhere. In those types of situation all is not lost, you can still access EHIC care. There are just a few more hoops to jump through first.

Firstly, make sure you still go to a state GP or hospital as EHIC will never cover any treatment in the private sector. As soon as you are aware that you’re going to need treatment, make a call to the NHS Overseas Healthcare team, but you’ll only be able to do so during office hours. Someone else can call on your behalf if you’re unable. The NHS will organise a Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC) which will be sent to you, and will cover your treatment under EHIC rules until you return home and apply for a new EHIC.

There’s no straightforward answer to this one. Every state healthcare system across Europe is different. Many do have groups of people who are exempt from paying prescription charges, most commonly children. Others instead of exempting groups of people exempt illnesses instead, not charging for medication which is for a lifelong condition, but charging fees for other types of medication. Other systems have charges for every prescription, irrespective of what it’s for.

If you’re not sure about what you’re being charged, ask the pharmacist. Most pharmacies, especially in the main tourist areas, will have staff who can speak some English. They will be able to advise of costs before dispensing your items, and may be able to give advice about cheaper alternatives. If you are asked to pay towards a prescription always ask for a copy of the paperwork and get receipt for any payments you make.

If you’ve still got an old E111 form kicking around in the cupboard with the rest of your paperwork, then there’s no point in taking it with you to Spain or anywhere else this summer. EHIC replaced the E111 system in 2004, and your old piece of paper won’t be accepted anywhere. Luckily, it’s fairly easy to organise EHIC cover and enjoy the same access to state healthcare which E111 used to provide. EHIC differs from E111 in that rather than there being one form for everyone, each member of the family needs their own EHIC card. One adult can apply for cards for all members of the family as children under the age of 16 aren’t able to apply for their own cards. There’s lots of information online about what EHIC is and does, so do your research before leaving home.

Yes, one of the main benefits of EHIC is that the system will cover any pre-existing or chronic conditions. Unlike travel insurance where policy holders will be charged extra to cover a declared medical problem, or have their condition excluded completely, EHIC will cover every eventuality.

Of course, if you have a chronic or serious medical condition you’ll want to take advice from your own GP or specialist before travelling overseas. It’s sensible to do some homework on the medical system wherever you’re travelling, especially if you need regular care such as dialysis or oxygen canisters. The nearest state hospitals providing specialist care might be quite some distance away. Remember also that you won’t be covered under EHIC for other expenses such as getting you back to the UK if your condition suddenly worsens, and other costs such as prescriptions which might be free on the NHS may have to be paid for in other countries.

Many groups in the UK qualify for free prescriptions, but when you make a claim for healthcare overseas using the EHIC entitlement, the same rules may not apply.

In Germany, for example, people under the age of 18 don’t pay for prescriptions, but people over that age pay between 5 and 10 euros depending on what is being prescribed. In Greece, you pay 25% of the cost of the medicine, irrespective of your age or financial situation. And if you need a prescription in Iceland, it may be either full price or free, depending on your illness. It’s all complicated, so always make sure you know what you’re being prescribed and why, and ask for receipts. You may be able to buy more over the counter than in the UK, so it’s always worth asking whether what you are buying is available in a cheaper format.

E111 is a system for healthcare across Europe which was replaced by EHIC in 2004. If you’ve still got an old E111 form kicking around in the house, it’s most definitely time to consign it to the rubbish bin. 

EHIC has several advantages over the old E111. E111 was a piece of paper which covered all members of the family on one form. Fine when everyone was travelling together, not so useful when a parent was away on business at the same time as another member of the family wanted to take the E111 on holiday. EHIC offers each person a separate card, which is far more sensible. 

EHIC also has a broader coverage than the old E111, as in the time since the EHIC was introduced the European Economic Area has grown considerably since countries like Latvia and Bulgaria became part of the system. EHIC will continue to expand as new countries join the EU.

If you’re heading off on a road trip through Europe or thinking about an Interrailing holiday, then making sure you take your EHIC card with you is a wise move. EHIC is designed to allow you to access state healthcare across the countries of the EEA, however temporarily you are passing through. Check your itinerary carefully though as not every country is included; if for example you’re driving from Vienna to Athens you’d be covered in Austria and Slovenia but not in Croatia or Serbia, as those two countries aren’t in the European Economic Area (EEA). You should ensure you have adequate additional insurance for your trip to cover not only your healthcare needs but all the eventualities which EHIC won’t cover. The other main exclusion is cruise holidays as you are said to be living on the ship, and not covered under EHIC rules.

EHIC covers 32 different countries throughout Europe, and you apply for your card in whichever country you have your residence, where you pay tax and where you work. Once you have your EHIC card, you can then access state healthcare in any of the other countries in the scheme. You don’t need a separate card for each country, although it’s always sensible to have comprehensive travel insurance to cover what EHIC doesn’t.

If you’re on a European holiday travelling through several different countries by car or train, pack your EHIC as you’ll be able to use it if you need to. The only exception to this is a cruise holiday as people who are living on board a ship are not entitled to EHIC cover. If their cruise finishes with a week or even a single night in a hotel, then their EHIC is valid for that portion of the holiday only.

No. This is one of the main misconceptions about EHIC and it’s an expensive mistake to make. EHIC is a scheme to give you the same rights to state healthcare as residents of the country you’re visiting, and that means you can see a GP, go to hospital, have X-rays or have an emergency operation. However, that’s where the responsibility of EHIC ends. If you want to be sent back to the UK in an air ambulance, then you’ll need to call on your travel insurance to meet the cost, which could easily top £10,000. If you have other costs while you’re stuck in a foreign hospital such as extra accommodation for family members or more flights home as you missed your departure date, EHIC won’t cover any of those costs either. If you’re worried about cost, seek out one of the companies who will offer discounts for policyholders with EHIC cover.

EHIC has a validity of 5 years, and if you forget to renew it when it expires, you’ll no longer be covered. Every EHIC has the expiry date printed on it, but you will receive no other warning that your EHIC is about to expire in many cases. If you’ve applied for your EHIC with a site other than the NHS one, the website might email you a reminder that it’s time to renew.

When you apply online, you’re given a login ID and password to allow you to log back in and update any details whish have changed. You should also be able to ask for new cards to be sent out. If you can’t remember your login details or applied in some other way, give the NHS helpline a call, explain the situation and they can take you through the process of applying for a renewal over the phone.

Getting your EHIC through the post is just the beginning of the process. If you need to seek medical attention overseas, the first thing to establish is that you’re going to a state hospital or doctor as EHIC can’t be used in the private sector. If you’re asking other people to make arrangements for you to get to hospital or see a doctor, make sure they’re aware that you have EHIC and want to be treated under that system.

 You’ll need to have your card with you to get care overseas, and show it to medical staff at the front desk along with your passport. They may well want to take copies of your documents. If you’re transferred elsewhere for tests or further treatment, show them your EHIC too. If you run into any difficulties having your EHIC accepted, call the NHS helpline who can advise on the specifics of your situation.

EHIC cover is valid in all of the countries of the European Economic Area. The countries which are covered in the system are:

• Austria
• Belgium
• Bulgaria
• Czech Republic
• Cyprus
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Ireland
• Italy
• Latvia
• Lichtenstein
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Malta
• Netherlands
• Norway
• Poland
• Portugal
• Romania
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland

Other countries not on the above list are not part of the EHIC system, even if they are perceived to be geographically part of Europe. Small countries such as Andorra, Monaco and San Marino are not included in EHIC cover either.

If you are travelling around Europe on a holiday and visiting for example Slovenia and Croatia on the same trip, you will be covered by EHIC in Slovenia, but not in Croatia. EHIC won’t ever cover trips outside of Europe, but there are separate reciprocal health agreements with countries such as Australia and New Zealand.

Although EHIC should always be one of the key essentials which you take on holiday, the only occasion where you can leave it behind is on a cruise. In order to access EHIC cover abroad in one of the countries which make up the European Economic Area, you have to have an address in the country concerned. This could be a hotel, guest house or holiday apartment, but can’t be a cruise ship anchored in port.

So what are your options when going on a cruise? Really your only choice is taking out travel insurance which is specially designed for people going on cruises. This type of insurance will cover you should you fall ill onboard ship or when on an excursion in port. If you have pre-existing conditions don’t be tempted to travel uninsured, as healthcare costs can quickly mount up.

Having E111 cover is a sensible move, and it’s the hope of most travellers that they won’t ever fall ill overseas and need to use it. If you do need to access the cover which E111 gives you, here’s what you have to do.

• Find the state provider. In the UK we have a very small private medicine sector but in many European countries there are many more private hospitals and GPs. E111 will never cover you for private treatment so check online to find out about the state provider in the country concerned.
• Show your card. When you arrive at hospital, show the admitting nurse or doctor your E111 and make sure they understand that you want treated under E111 rules, not privately. They may want to see your passport and copy your documents.
• Get advice. If you’re asked to pay a contribution towards your treatment, get receipts. If you’re unsure about what’s happening or whether the treatment is covered by E111, always ask and keep reiterating your E111 status.

Every member of the family needs their own EHIC when you’re travelling abroad on holiday. Children need their own EHIC from birth, but can’t apply for an EHIC on their own until they reach their 16th birthday. In order to make sure your child is covered, a parent or other adult who is legally responsible for them will have to apply on their behalf.

Getting an EHIC for your child is straightforward. If you have an EHIC of your own already, simply use the same method again and apply for another card for your child. You’ll need to give your child’s full name and date of birth, but as your child will be too young to have their own National Insurance number you will complete your own number to link the child’s application to your own. Your child’s EHIC card will then be sent to you in the post – don’t forget to take it with you when you travel.

One of the common misconceptions about EHIC is that it allows you to claim back money you pay for your healthcare overseas. This is not the case.
Many countries in the area of Europe have a system whereby patients make a contribution towards the cost of their treatment. This might be a few euros when you see the doctor, a set fee for an X-ray or a “board and lodging” charge for a stay in hospital. As EHIC is designed to treat you on the same basis as a national of the country concerned, you’ll have to pay the same charges and won’t be able to reclaim them through EHIC.

If you have separate cover for healthcare through your travel insurance, you might be able to use that to recoup any costs you have incurred, although there will be an excess to take into account first.

One of the main benefits of EHIC is that it does indeed cover you for conditions which you knew about before leaving the UK. Although you can buy travel insurance which will also cover you for pre-existing or chronic conditions, your premiums will usually be higher. There is no additional charge for using EHIC cover overseas to treat a pre-existing condition. 

Another huge benefit of EHIC for people with ongoing conditions such as kidney disease and breathing difficulties is that they can, with a bit of effort, arrange to have dialysis or pick up oxygen cylinders from an overseas hospital. 

Don’t scrimp on the travel insurance though, you’ll still want to be covered for flights home in an emergency situation, and for theft, delay and cancellation. And don’t be tempted to lie to your insurer about your health status, as in the event of a claim they can refuse to pay out.

Everyone travelling to one of the countries which is part of the EHIC system needs a separate EHIC. There is no such thing as family cover, or a family card as there often is with a travel insurance policy. Children under the age of 16 – even newborn babies – need their own EHIC cover, although parents will have to apply on their child’s behalf and fill in their own details along with their child’s. Over the age of 16, children can make their own applications.

If travelling as a family group, remember to pack the EHIC paperwork for the whole family, as hospitals and doctors overseas are within their rights to refuse treatment if a parent can’t produce a card for their child. Children travelling on school trips or other organised excursions may be asked to take their EHIC in addition to any separate travel insurance which the tour leader has organised. 

We’re really lucky to have free healthcare in the UK. Many British residents travelling overseas assume that everyone else gets free healthcare too, and in many countries this isn’t the case. As EHIC is designed to give you the same rights as people who are nationals of the country concerned, if they have to pay contributions towards their care, you will too.

In most cases, the amounts you will be asked to pay are low. In France, for example, patients admitted to hospital are charged 18 euros per day, and charges are made in Norway for seeing a GP or having diagnostic tests. In most countries, you’ll also pay prescription charges. Keep receipts for all the contributions you are asked to pay; you won’t be able to claim them back from the NHS on your return, but they might be covered by travel insurance if they start to mount up.

When issued, your EHIC card is valid for five years. The “valid to” date is clearly stated on the card and will not be accepted after this date. If you have used a third party website to make the initial application they may email a reminder that your EHIC is about to expire, but in many cases it is up to you to notice and organise a new card being issued. This is particularly complex when you have several members of the family who have EHIC cover expiring at different times. 

If you have allowed your EHIC to expire and suddenly find yourself in the situation of needing to access treatment, then all is not lost. Call the overseas health team at the NHS during UK office hours, and they may be able to issue emergency paperwork to enable you to secure treatment under EHIC. 

If you’re in the UK and realise that you’ve lost or misplaced your EHIC, then get in touch with the NHS overseas healthcare team online, by email or by post. They can help with cancelling your lost card, and then arrange for a replacement card to be sent out. 

If you’re overseas and your wallet gets stolen with your card in it, or you lose your belongings, you can wait until you get home to put the wheels in motion for a replacement. However, it may be that you need to access healthcare in the meantime. If you have an EHIC issued in your name but you can’t lay your hands on it when you need treatment, then call the NHS Overseas Health team, or get someone else to do it for you. A Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC) can be arranged to cover you until you get home.

It’s one of the big unanswered questions – what will happen to the UK’s access to the EHIC system after we leave the European Union? The short answer is that we don’t know. The UK government and the EU are still thrashing out an agreement, and EHIC is just one small part of what is being discussed.

In the meantime, it’s business as usual. Until the very day the UK leaves the EU, and perhaps for even longer than that, UK residents who have applied for their EHIC can continue to use it when they need to access state healthcare in any of the countries across Europe who are part of the system. And nationals of countries like Spain, Greece or Germany can use their EHIC to get treatment in the UK. We don’t have to be part of the EU to retain EHIC arrangements either, as Switzerland, Iceland and Norway are outside the EU, but part of the EHIC system.

EHIC cover is issued for a period of five years. An expiry date will be printed on your card, but often you won’t get a notification when your card is coming to the end of its validity. If you’re about to travel and have realised that your EHIC has run out, there are a couple of things you can do.

Firstly, get online and start the process to apply for a replacement card. This won’t be instantaneous as new cards take a couple of weeks to be sent out. If you need to travel in the meantime, don’t worry. Should you need to take advantage of your EHIC cover while you’re away, call the NHS Overseas Healthcare team, give them your details and details of where you’re being treated, and they can arrange a temporary Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC) which will cover you until you get home and your new card arrives in the mail.

The first thing you’ll need to do when applying for EHIC cover is to check you’re eligible. If you’re a British resident, pay tax here and have a National Insurance number, you are likely to be eligible. If your situation is unusual, or you are a resident of another EU country, you might need to apply there for your EHIC cover.

When applying online for your EHIC you’ll need to be able to provide the full names, addresses and birth dates for each applicant. Adult applicants will also need to fill in their NHS number or their National Insurance number. NHS numbers can be found on correspondence from a doctor or hospital, and your National Insurance number will be on payslips, correspondence from HMRC or letters from the Benefits office. EHIC cards are sent out by post, so you will also need a UK address for the dispatch of the cards. 

EHIC is valid for five years from the date of issue. When your plastic card arrives in the post, it will have the expiration date printed on it. If you have used a third party site to help you with the application process, they might offer a reminder service and email you when it’s time to apply for a renewal. If not, you’ll have to remember yourself and organise a replacement. If you have an EHIC which is due to expire shortly and are wondering whether it’s worth it given the Brexit negotiations, then apply for a renewal anyway. EHIC will continue to be valid until at least part way through 2019, and perhaps even longer depending on the agreement which the UK reaches with the other countries in the European Union. If you have EHIC cover for each member of the family, check all expiration dates as they may well differ.

EHIC has been set up to be a simple system which isn’t difficult to access. That doesn’t mean though that you can just pitch up at a doctor in Italy or Germany and be treated, no questions asked. You will be asked to prove that you are entitled to be treated under EHIC and will need documents to do so. 

The first thing you’re going to need is your EHIC card. If you’ve left it at home, lost it or had it stolen, then speak to the overseas healthcare team at the NHS and ask for a Provisional Replacement Certificate to cover treatment until you get a new EHIC. You may also be asked to supply a passport or something else which proves your nationality. EHIC doesn’t have a photograph on it, so hospitals and doctors are within their rights to confirm your identity. 

Whether or not you get an email or call reminding you that your EHIC is about to expire will depend very much on how you have applied for it in the first place. 

If you’ve downloaded a form online, applied through the post or gone to the NHS website for the initial application, then you won’t get any reminders. The expiry date is however clearly printed on each EHIC, and once you are within six months of the expiry date you can then start the process to renew and get another one. Remember that EHICs take around a week to process, so leave enough time to renew before you travel.

If you’ve used a third party service to apply for your website, they offer a more comprehensive service and often will offer a reminders service whereby you’ll get an email reminding you that your EHIC is about to expire. 

EHIC cover is issued for a period of five years only, and once your card has passed its expiry date, you won’t be able to use it any more. Luckily, it’s easy to request a renewal. Simply log into the website using the ID and password you were given when you first registered, and look for the option to apply for a renewal. At the same time, you should have the option to update any details which have changed since the last time you applied. 

If you’re overseas, fall ill and discover that your EHIC has expired then all is not lost. If your circumstances have not changed and you are still entitled to cover, call the NHS overseas healthcare helpline and ask for them to issue a Provisional Replacement Service (PRC) which will be sent out immediately to the hospital overseas and will cover costs until you return.

The first thing to note is that EHICs don’t automatically renew, so you have to take steps to make sure you’ve started the renewal process before it runs out, especially if you’re thinking about travelling soon. EHIC is valid for five years from the date of issue and the expiry date will be printed on the card. 

If your EHIC is within 6 months of expiry then you can renew it right away, you don’t have to wait until it’s expired. Any remaining entitlement will be added onto the five year validity of the new card. If you’ve applied for your EHIC online, you can then log back into the website where you originally applied for your card and ask for it to be renewed. If you can’t remember where you applied, or have forgotten the details, you can also phone the NHS Overseas Healthcare team’s helpline and ask for a new card to be sent out for you. 

If you’ve moved, then you’ll have to inform the overseas health team at the NHS and get a new EHIC issued with your new details on it. If you’ve applied online either through the NHS site or through a third party provider, you might have been given a log on and a PIN which will let you log back into the site, update your details and request that a new card be sent out. If not, or if you’ve lost your login details, you can call the helpline during office hours and give them the new details over the phone. A new card will then be sent in the post. The only exception to this process is if you’re moving permanently out of the UK. If you’re moving to another country which is part of the EHIC scheme, you might be eligible to apply for a new EHIC issued locally, depending on the country’s criteria.

This isn’t as straightforward a question as it might first appear. Think about the situation in the UK; some groups of people are eligible for free prescriptions, whereas others pay. Whether you pay in the UK sometimes depends on your income, but other groups such as children or pregnant women may be exempt from paying too.

Other countries which are part of the EHIC system have similarly diverse systems. Each one has their own rules about prescription charges, so always ask about cost when the doctor prescribes you something, or you are directed to the pharmacist. In tourist areas, medical professionals will be used to dealing with foreign visitors and will be used to explaining their system. In other areas, there might not be the same level of understanding about differing systems. If you are charged for prescriptions then make sure you’re clear about what you’re paying for, but you won’t be able to claim back any of the charges when you return to the UK.

When you apply for your EHIC, you have to give details such as your name, address, date of birth and National Insurance number. Although your date of birth won’t change, your name and address might during the five years your EHIC is valid. Changing the details on your EHIC isn’t tricky.

IF you’ve applied for your EHIC online, either through the NHS website or a third party provider, you’ll probably have been provided with a log in name and password to access the website securely. If you have the details to hand, log back in and look for an “update my details” section where you can input your new information and ask for a new card to be sent out. 

If you can’t remember your log in information or have used another method to apply in the first place, you’ll have to give the NHS helpline a ring and inform them of the new details.

The simple answer to this is that you can’t. Unlike its predecessor of E111 and most travel insurance policies, EHIC is designed for individuals only. That means you’ll have to organise different EHIC cover for each member of the family, including babies and toddlers – children can’t claim for treatment on a parent’s card. 

Although you can’t apply for a family card or a single piece of paper to cover everyone, one parent can do the application for everyone. Whoever is making the application has to fill in names, dates of birth and addresses for all members of the family. One of the key pieces of information needed is a National Insurance number. As these aren’t issued to children under the age of 16, parents will have to complete their own details instead. All applications can be submitted together and once approved, the cards will be sent to your home address in the post.

There are lots of reasons why you might need to change your name on official documents, the most common ones being getting married or divorced. If your name on your EHIC doesn’t match your name on your passport or other documents then it could cause issues if you need to access treatment overseas. 

Luckily, changing your name on your EHIC is a straightforward process. If you applied for your EHIC online, log back into the same website and see whether there is an option to update your details. Follow the link, give your new name or address, and then request another card be sent out. If you didn’t apply online, then contact the NHS helpline and ask how to proceed. Once your new EHIC arrives in the post you can destroy the old one. Make sure you take your EHIC with you when you travel overseas as you won’t be treated without it.

EHIC is an individual scheme, so although you can apply for a separate card for each member of the family, there is no single card to cover everyone. This system does mean that you have to remember to take more than one card away with you on a family holiday, but also means that if two family members are travelling separately at each time, they can both take their individual cards. Parents can manage the application process for their children, as young people under the age of 16 cannot apply for their own cards. Parents simply fill in their child’s details and complete their own details in the appropriate boxes. Remember that all members of the family, including small babies and toddlers, require a separate EHIC. If you have applied for cards for children at different times, it is also likely that cards will expire and have to be renewed periodically.

Hopefully, you’ll never need a provisional replacement certificate (PRC), but if you are in the situation of needing one, it’s important to know how it works. If you’ve lost your EHIC or have forgotten to bring it with you when you travel, and then at a later date need to access state healthcare, then a provisional replacement certificate can be issued. 

You can get a PRC by calling the NHS overseas healthcare team in the UK, and tell them where you are being treated. The NHS will then issue your PRC directly to the doctor or hospital concerned. They will then treat you under standard EHIC rules just as they would with any other EHIC holder. PRC is a “one use only” certificate and once you’re home in the UK you should organise a replacement for a lost EHIC, or remember to pack your existing card next time you travel.

There is no single EHIC card which will cover every member of the family. Everyone needs their own separate EHIC card, but a parent can apply for EHIC on behalf of the adults and children living in their house. This is different to travel insurance, where the industry standard is to offer one policy which covers everyone in the family, or a party travelling together.

When you think about it, having separate EHIC cover for everyone makes a lot of sense. It means that parents and children can travel independently of each other, so no disagreements about whether the paperwork goes to Berlin with mum or on a Scout camping trip to Holland. Although everyone gets their own card, the lead applicant – usually a parent – can log on to the website and manage the applications for everyone, updating details or requesting renewals when needed. 

EHIC is seen by some as a substitute for travel insurance, but it really isn’t. EHIC is purely about state healthcare – it’s a reciprocal agreement between 32 different countries which allows citizens to get medical care in any of the countries at minimal cost. That doesn’t mean you’ll get free treatment, as if fees apply for locals, you’ll have to pay them too. EHIC won’t ever pick up the tab if you’re treated in a private hospital, or in a private room in a state hospital, although your travel insurance might. 

EHIC is designed for unforeseen medical expenses, or to cover people with pre-existing conditions who need regular treatment. EHIC won’t cover you if your only reason for going overseas is to seek treatment with a specific hospital or doctor. It also doesn’t cover pregnant women who want to be in a certain country to give birth.

Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a family EHIC card. The way the system has been structured requires everyone to have their own card. Parents won’t be able to get treatment for their children using their card and hospitals overseas are within their rights to refuse to treat people on the state system if they don’t have the right documents. 

EHIC can be very useful when you’re travelling with kids, as it covers everything from childhood illnesses through to more serious accidents. In order to access care for all members of the family, one of the adults can apply for their own card, along with cards for any children they are responsible for. As children don’t have National Insurance numbers, parents will complete their own details on that part of the form. When seeking medical care overseas for your children, take their EHIC and passport to the local state healthcare provider.

There are a few exceptions to EHIC, and these mainly stem from people not understanding what the cover is all about. Firstly, EHIC is a European Economic Area scheme – not all countries you might think of as “European” are included. Croatia, Monaco and Russia aren’t, for example. Every European country has a different healthcare system, and just because something is available on the NHS doesn’t mean it will be available under EHIC. Depending on the country, services such as dentistry or physiotherapy might not be available in the state sector. The other main exception is private or “planned” treatment. EHIC can never be used towards costs in a private hospital, or for cosmetic medical procedures. EHIC will cover pregnant women who unexpectedly go into labour, but won’t meet the costs of a birth if your only reason for travelling is to have your baby in a specific country. 

EHIC is an agreement between 32 different countries and entitlement to EHIC is not solely based on your nationality. If you are termed “habitually resident” in the UK, then you can apply to the NHS for a British EHIC. Habitually resident means that you are living permanently in the UK and don’t have homes or a job somewhere else or are working here or entitled to claim benefits here. If you’re in the UK as a student, or have been sent to the UK to work on a temporary basis, then you may not pass the “habitually resident” test to qualify for a UK EHIC so take time to phone the helpline for advice if your status is not straightforward.

If you don’t qualify for an EHIC from the UK as you are a student or termed to be resident elsewhere, you might qualify got EHIC from your home country if it’s part of the EHIC system too.

EHIC is a reciprocal healthcare agreement between the 32 countries which make up the EEA. Many of the misunderstandings about what might or might not be covered by EHIC stems from falling into the trap of thinking every country’s healthcare system offers the same as the NHS.

EHIC is all about giving you the same healthcare provision as locals. Usually, EHIC will cover the basics such as seeing a GP, getting a prescription, being referred to hospital for further tests or being admitted for emergency surgery. Only treatment in the state system will be covered, and there may still be contributions required towards the cost of your treatment.

Depending on the country, services such as physiotherapy and dental treatment other than extractions is not deemed essential, and doesn’t form part of EHIC. If a medical professional recommends this sort of service, make sure you understand any costs involved before agreeing to go ahead.

If you’ve still got an old E111 form which you pack each year when you head off on holiday, it will probably come as a bit of shock to find that it’s not valid any more. E111 was replaced in 2004 by EHIC, which has many advantages over the old system.

For a start, EHIC is individual cover. Everyone gets their own card rather than the whole family being covered on one form. That makes life a lot easier if a child’s school trip coincides with another family member needing to go overseas too. EHIC is similar in a lot of ways too in that it still gives you access to state healthcare overseas on the same terms as the locals. That doesn’t mean you will be treated free, as every country’s healthcare system is different. Apply for your EHIC online, get cards for the whole family, and stick that old E111 in the recycling bin.

One of the great things about EHIC is that it covers a lot of things that your typical travel insurance policy doesn’t, but that doesn’t mean that there are no exclusions at all. 

Maternity – EHIC will cover you if you unexpectedly go into labour while you’re on business or holiday and will allow you to give birth and be looked after in a state hospital. EHIC doesn’t cover the costs of giving birth when the only reason you have travelled is to give birth in a certain city or country. 

Private and Cosmetic Treatments – EHIC only ever covers state healthcare provision. EHIC won’t meet the costs of being treated in a private hospital, or in a private room in a state hospital. That’s something to bear in mind if you’re offered fast track treatment of the opportunity to jump the queue for a routine operation.

Not all European healthcare systems are the same, and in many countries patients are asked for fees towards their care. These are often called contributions, or co-payments. As our NHS is free, many Brits are under the impression that they can ask for a refund of any contributions when they return. Unfortunately this isn’t the case. Anything you pay as contributions under EHIC can’t be reclaimed under EHIC rules, but if the total amount exceeds your travel insurance excess, you might decide to claim the money back that way. If you are asked to make contributions, ensure that you are indeed being treated as an EHIC patient and haven’t been placed in a private room or ward. Hospital and GP staff should be happy to give you a receipt for any payment made, and a full invoice detailing what you’re being charged for, and why. 

No, the EHIC system is all based around individual cover, so each member of the family will need to apply for their own EHIC cards. This is unlike many travel insurance policies, which are generally set up to cover all members of the family travelling together. Doctors and hospitals overseas won’t treat a child on a parent’s EHIC card, for example. If you’re planning a holiday or other overseas trip with children, make sure you pack their EHIC cards along with your own or start the application process for new cards if a child has been born since your last holiday. 

Children can’t apply for their own EHICs, so a parent or other adult with responsibility for them will have to do so on their behalf. Children can however use their EHIC when travelling alone, and may be asked to take their EHIC with them when travelling overseas with the school or other group. 

It can come as a shock to be asked to pay even a small contribution when seeing a GP or being admitted to hospital overseas as it’s just not something we’re used to in the UK. However, the whole point of EHIC is to give you the same healthcare rights as people resident in the country where you’re being treated, and if they have to pay contributions, you will too. You will not be able to ask the NHS to refund any costs you incur using EHIC. 

If you have a complex medical case and costs start to escalate, then it may be worth claiming on your travel insurance. This will depend on your policy excess, and the level of costs involved. Always ask for full invoices and receipts which will make claiming back costs easier if you decide to put in a travel insurance claim at a later date. 

No, EHIC is designed to be accepted in every of the 32 countries which are part of the scheme. All of the EHIC cards issued by the separate governments are similar in appearance, and one card works everywhere. However, not every European country is a member of the EEA group, so it’s always wise to double check that the countries you are intending travelling through are included under EHIC.

EHIC can also be used when you’re on a road trip or interrail holiday through several European countries. It’s not a substitute for travel insurance, and you should make sure you’re properly covered for all the other eventualities which might befall you on this sort of holiday. The only exception to this are cruise holidays, which are one of the few exceptions to EHIC and require travel insurance to cover health and other risks. 

No, British travellers who are treated overseas under the EHIC scheme are not able to claim back any of the charges which they might incur. EHIC is designed to give us the same rights as the local people in whichever country we are being treated to access state healthcare. In many countries across Europe, locals are asked to pay to see their GP, pay an overnight “board and lodging” sum to cover meals when admitted to hospital, or even asked to get family members to supply bed linen and towels. If any of these rules apply to them, they’ll apply to you too. It’s important to be clear about why you’re being asked to pay though, so don’t be afraid to ask someone to explain the system, and give you an invoice breaking down any charges. Always get a receipt for any payments you make.

Yes, one of the main advantages of the EHIC system is that people with all sorts of medical conditions can use their EHIC to get treatment if they need to, at no extra cost. Travel insurance should still be taken out, but often policies will exclude certain illnesses or conditions, or charge an extra premium for covering your circumstances. Anyone travelling overseas who has a chronic illness should do some research in advance to determine how the healthcare system operates in the country they are planning to visit, and what to do should they require attention. People who are dependent on oxygen or need kidney dialysis can organise in advance to have treatment under EHIC while they are abroad, but this obviously involves some planning and communication in advance. Patients may also be asked to make a contribution towards their cost depending on the country.

EHIC cover is valid for five years from the date of issue, and over the time of its validity it’s quite possible that things might change. You might move house, get married and change your name, or have another child who needs an EHIC of their own. If you’ve applied for your EHIC online, making these changes is quite straightforward.

Most websites will give you a log on ID and password when you apply for your EHIC card. Keep a note of this and if your circumstances change in the future, you simply log back in and update your details. A new card with the updated details will be sent out in the post, and you can throw the old one away. If you didn’t apply online in the first place, then you’ll have to call the NHS helpline who will advise of the best method for updating details.

If you’ve recently been diagnosed with a chronic or serious condition, it can make getting travel insurance a lot more difficult and expensive. The good news is that EHIC will continue to cover your state medical care in any of the 32 countries of the EEA, as long as certain conditions are met. 

The main condition of EHIC is that it will only meet the costs of treatment in the state sector. You can seek treatment for your illness with a state GP or hospital only, so make sure you are clear about the type of hospital you are going to. The other exception is that EHIC will not cover occasions where your only reason for travelling overseas is to seek treatment for your illness. EHIC will cover the unforeseen or routine, but doesn’t let you pick and choose where in Europe you’d like your serious illness dealt with.

Pickpocketing and bag snatching is one of the most common crimes which affect tourists overseas, and as well as being distressing, it’s extremely inconvenient. If one of the pieces of documentation you’ve lost is your EHIC, you have a couple of options. 

Firstly, if you’re due to return home shortly, it might be better to wait until you’re back in the UK. Then you can log into the website you used to order your card in the first place to report it stolen and ask for a new one, or call the NHS helpline for guidance. If you need to get medical attention before you get home, then you can call the helpline and ask for a Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC). These are sent direct to the hospital or doctor where you’re being treated, and will cover you until you return to the UK.

Yes, EHIC differs from many travel insurance policies in that you will be covered for medical conditions which you knew about before leaving home. Pre-existing medical conditions could be anything from a known allergy to a certain substance to something much more serious and life threatening like cancer. Take advice from your GP or specialist before committing to any travel, and do some homework on which hospitals and facilities there are close by to assist you in an emergency. 

There are a few exclusions to the pre-existing medical cover. EHIC won’t cover trips when the only reason for travelling is to seek treatment for your illness. This is to stop people picking and choosing where in Europe they are treated depending on which hospitals are seen as centres of excellence. Also remember that standards of care in many countries are not up to NHS standards, especially in Eastern Europe. 

The short answer is that you can’t add a child to a parent’s EHIC – they have to have a separate card issued in their own name. Everyone, whatever their age, needs their own EHIC card but when the person in question is a child under the age of 16, a parent has to apply for the EHIC on their behalf. Getting an EHIC for a child is relatively straightforward. If you still have your login details for the site where you applied for your EHIC, you should be able to log back in and add a child’s card to your application. If not, you can call the NHS EHIC helpline, or download a form online to complete. You’ll need to give your child’s name and date of birth, and as children don’t have their own National Insurance number, the responsible adult will complete their details instead. 

EHIC is a state healthcare system which is designed to give travellers from across 32 European countries access to hospitals and doctors in each other’s countries. EHIC is a valuable addition to any travel insurance policy but doesn’t cover everything when it comes to healthcare. 

The main exclusion from EHIC is private treatment, whether in a private hospital, private room in a state hospital or with a private GP. There’s not always a clear distinction between private and state overseas, so make sure you’re clear about the sort of medical care you’re getting. Cosmetic procedures and optional surgery and procedures are not included under EHIC either.

State healthcare varies from country to country, and things which are included in state healthcare in the UK might not be included in other countries. Always check what’s included when a doctor is recommending tests or other procedures, or when you’re offered the chance to get quicker treatment or have a nicer room.

Firstly, you need to know that children require their own EHIC and can’t be covered on a parent’s card. It’s easy to go online and apply for a new EHIC for a child, you just complete their own name, date of birth and address, then give the parent’s details and National Insurance number. Children under the age of 16 can’t apply for their own EHIC. 

If you need to seek treatment overseas from a GP or hospital for your child, present their EHIC and passport when you arrive at the medical centre. State doctors and hospitals aren’t allowed to refuse to accept EHIC, so you should make sure you’re in the state system and not a private hospital. For minor childhood illnesses, mild allergic reactions or sunburn, often the best place to go is the pharmacy, where a pharmacist can advise on medication or direct you to the nearest English-speaking medic.

If you qualify for free prescriptions in the UK, there is no guarantee that you will have the same entitlement overseas. Every one of the 32 countries which are part of the EHIC system have their own rules and you will be charged according to local rules. Some countries give free prescriptions for children, others have a system of charging depending on the type of illness the prescription is for.

There are a few things you can do to minimise prescription costs while overseas. Firstly, make sure you take enough prescription medication with you when you travel. Secondly, if you do fall ill while you’re away speak to a pharmacist rather than heading for the GP as you may be able to get what you need over the counter. If you do have to see a doctor for a prescription, ask the pharmacist about costs and always ask for a receipt. 

Unlike many standard travel insurance policies which exclude activities thought to be risky or dangerous, you can use your EHIC to get treatment if you injure yourself while you’re on the slopes. There are however a few conditions which you need to know about.

Firstly, EHIC only covers the countries which are part of the European Economic Area, or EEA. That covers most of the main skiing areas in Europe such as Austria, Switzerland, France and Italy. The main exception is Andorra, which is not in the EEA. If you’re heading out of Europe to ski, especially if you’re going to North America, make sure you have top notch travel insurance as the costs of medical care can be extremely expensive.

If you’re not quite sure what the EHIC system is all about, then you’re not alone. Most of us have a vague idea that EHIC is something about getting medical treatment when you’re on holiday elsewhere in Europe, but aren’t too clear on the specifics. One of the main confusion points is over whether EHIC gives UK travellers free healthcare overseas or not, and in fact there is no one answer to this.

EHIC has been designed to allow people from any of the countries of the EEA to travel freely, knowing that with the EHIC they can access state healthcare in any country on the same basis as local people. Here in the UK we don’t pay to see our GP or when we’re referred to hospital for an X-ray, so people from other countries in the EEA don’t pay when they’re in the UK and need healthcare either. However, in other countries, locals are charged small amounts, known as patient contributions or co-payments, when they see their GP, are admitted to hospital or have diagnostic tests. As EHIC gives you the same rights as local people, you’ll have to make these payments too, and won’t be refunded by the NHS once you return home.

The concept of co-payments or contributions might seem alien to us here in the UK, but in many cases the sums of money involved are small. If you’re asked to make payments when accessing healthcare in Europe make sure you’re clear about why you’re being asked to pay and the sums involved. Private healthcare is not covered under EHIC and charges for being admitted into private hospitals can be very high. You may be covered for private treatment with a separate travel insurance policy, but EHIC can never be used outside the state system.

The simple answer to this is that you can still access EHIC cover without your card, but it makes life a lot easier if you remember to take it with you.
If you fall ill when you’re in one of the European Economic Area countries and need to see a GP or go to hospital, the first thing you’ll be asked for when you arrive at the front desk is for your EHIC and your passport to prove that you are indeed entitled to be treated under EHIC rules. Once you’ve provided your documents, you will then enter the state healthcare system and be treated exactly the same as someone who is a resident in the country. You might be asked to pay nominal charges towards your treatment, and if the healthcare system is overstretched, you’ll wait as long as anyone else; EHIC doesn’t get you preferential treatment. Depending on the country concerned, you might choose to use your travel insurance to cover the cost of private treatment, but EHIC will only ever cover treatment in the state system.

If you don’t have your EHIC and present yourself for treatment, then you’ll still need to show your passport but will have a few more hurdles to jump to prove your eligibility. The exception to this is the Republic of Ireland, where passport is proof enough. You, or someone with you, will have to call the NHS overseas healthcare team to ask them to confirm your status by sending a Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC) to you. One way round this is to take pictures of your EHIC on your phone or email them to yourself so you can access the images and try to convince the hospital to treat you while you wait for the PRC to arrive.

Applying for your EHIC and getting the card sent to you in the post is just the first part of the reciprocal health scheme. It’s not sufficient just to apply for the card then forget all about it – you’ll need to be able to produce your card if you need treatment overseas, and understand what EHIC does and doesn’t cover you for.

If you fall ill when you’re in one of the EHIC countries or need to see a GP about an existing medical condition, then you will have to organise this yourself. Find out what the name of the state healthcare provider is, as EHIC will only every cover care in the state sector. If you’re asking a native speaker to make the arrangements for you, ensure they understand that you wish to use your EHIC. When you arrive at the GP or go to hospital, take your EHIC with you and present it to the admission staff. They may also want to see your passport. If you’re referred on to a different hospital, make sure it’s covered by EHIC too.

There may still be costs associated with your treatment. People in various countries across the EEA pay when they see their GP and are charged a fee when admitted overnight to hospital. Always ask if you don’t understand what you’re being charged and keep all invoices and receipts. If your illness is serious enough that you need to cut your holiday short and return to the UK, then this is where EHIC cover stops. You’ll have to claim on your travel insurance for help with the costs of repatriation or changes to missed flights. And just like the UK, other countries around Europe will charge for most dental work, and if you are given a prescription.