The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and its UK replacement, the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), let holders access state-provided healthcare in participating European countries on the same terms as a local resident. They are free, useful, and widely misunderstood — most importantly, neither one is a substitute for travel insurance.
What the cards actually are
Both cards work on the principle of reciprocal healthcare: if you fall ill or have an accident while visiting a participating country, you can get medically necessary state healthcare either free or at the same reduced cost a local citizen would pay. The GHIC is issued by the UK to British residents following Brexit; the EHIC continues for EU/EEA nationals and for UK citizens who already held one before the rules changed (existing EHICs remain valid for UK holders until they expire). Switzerland and some EEA countries have their own specific arrangements, so check coverage before assuming the card works everywhere in Europe.
What they cover
- Emergency and medically necessary treatment that arises during your trip — a broken bone, a sudden illness, an infection needing treatment before you can safely travel home.
- Treatment for pre-existing conditions, if it becomes necessary during the trip and is available through the state system.
- Routine maternity care, if it becomes medically necessary while you're away (though travelling late in pregnancy carries its own airline restrictions, covered separately).
- Ongoing treatment for conditions such as dialysis or oxygen therapy, if arranged with the provider in advance of travel.
Crucially, the card only gives access to treatment through the state healthcare system of the country you're visiting, at the rate a resident would pay — which in many countries is not entirely free, even for locals. Some state systems charge co-payments that residents also pay; the card gets you the same rate, not automatically zero cost.
What they don't cover
This is the single biggest misunderstanding about these cards: the EHIC and GHIC are not travel insurance, and using one is not a substitute for buying a policy before you travel.
Specifically, neither card covers:
- Private healthcare — if you're taken to, or choose, a private clinic or hospital, the card does not apply and you pay the full private rate.
- Mountain rescue, search and rescue, or air ambulance costs — a serious skiing accident, for example, can rack up rescue and repatriation costs the card does nothing for.
- Repatriation — getting you and your belongings home if you're too unwell to fly normally, or a body returned in the worst case, is entirely outside the scope of either card.
- Lost luggage, cancelled flights, missed connections, or any of the usual travel insurance claims unrelated to healthcare.
- Any treatment in a country the card doesn't cover — it works only in the EU/EEA and Switzerland, not elsewhere in the world.
Sensible practice is to treat the card as one layer of protection that reduces what a travel insurance claim would otherwise cost, not as a reason to skip insurance altogether. Many travel insurance policies actually require you to use an EHIC or GHIC first, where eligible, as a condition of the policy.
Who's eligible
UK residents apply for a GHIC; the process is free directly through the official NHS website. EU and EEA nationals apply through their own national health insurance provider for an EHIC. Both cards are personal and non-transferable — each family member travelling needs their own, including children, and a separate application is needed if a card is lost, stolen or expired.
Only apply through the official government or NHS channel. A number of unofficial websites charge a "processing fee" to apply for what is, through the real channel, a completely free card. Search results can surface these lookalike sites above the genuine one — check the web address carefully.
How to use the card in practice
If you need treatment, present the card (or, since 2021 for UK travellers, sometimes just the confirmation of an application in progress, though carrying the physical or digital card is far simpler) to the healthcare provider before treatment where possible, and specifically ask for treatment under the reciprocal healthcare arrangement rather than as a private, self-paying patient. Not every provider defaults to this — in some countries you may need to seek out a state-affiliated doctor or hospital rather than the nearest private clinic, particularly in areas with a lot of private tourist-facing medical services.
Keep any paperwork, receipts or invoices from the treatment; if you do end up paying anything upfront, your travel insurer will usually need this documentation to reimburse the difference, and in some cases you can also claim back qualifying costs directly through the relevant national health scheme after the fact.
Renewal and validity
Both cards are typically valid for several years before renewal is needed — check the expiry date printed on the card well before a trip, since a lapsed card is simply refused at the point of treatment. Renewal, like the initial application, is free through the official channel and can usually be done a few months ahead of expiry.
Frequently asked questions
Is the GHIC the same as the EHIC?
They work the same way in practice, but the GHIC is the UK's post-Brexit replacement card, while the EHIC remains for EU/EEA nationals (and for UK citizens whose older EHIC hasn't yet expired). Both give access to state healthcare on resident terms in participating countries.
Do I still need travel insurance if I have a GHIC or EHIC?
Yes. The cards only cover state healthcare costs at resident rates — they don't cover repatriation, mountain rescue, private treatment, or any non-medical travel disruption. Most sensible travel insurance policies are designed to work alongside the card, not replace it.
Does the card work outside Europe?
No. Coverage is limited to the EU/EEA and Switzerland, with some specific country arrangements. It has no validity anywhere else in the world.
How much does it cost to apply?
Nothing, through the official government or NHS channel. Be wary of third-party websites charging an application or "processing" fee for what is a free card.
Sources and further reading:
- Official GHIC application and coverage details: gov.uk / NHS.
- EHIC eligibility and coverage for EU/EEA nationals: European Commission.
- Related: the Schengen 90/180 rule, do you need vaccinations to travel?, what to do after a car accident abroad.
- Always check current eligibility and coverage with the official issuing body before travelling.