EHIC and GHIC health cover

By the Viamo editorial team · Editor Terje Moy · Last updated July 2026 · 5 min read

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and its UK successor, the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), give travellers access to medically necessary state healthcare in participating countries on the same terms as local residents. They are a valuable safety net — but they are not travel insurance, and understanding the difference could save you from a very unpleasant surprise.

What the EHIC was and what replaced it

The European Health Insurance Card was an EU-wide system allowing residents of EU and EEA countries to access state healthcare in other EU/EEA countries. For UK residents, the EHIC became invalid for new applicants after Brexit, though cards issued before the transition period ended retained some validity until their expiry date.

The UK introduced the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) to replace it. The GHIC is free to apply for through the NHS (gov.uk) and covers UK residents for medically necessary state healthcare in EU countries. It does not cover all EEA countries or Switzerland — those may be covered by separate bilateral health agreements that the UK has negotiated independently. Check current coverage for each country you plan to visit.

EU and EEA citizens retain the EHIC system among themselves — the EHIC/GHIC distinction is primarily relevant for UK travellers. If you are an EU citizen, your national EHIC remains valid throughout the EU and EEA.

What the GHIC (and EHIC) actually covers

The card entitles you to access state-provided healthcare in participating countries on the same basis as a local resident. In practice, that means:

• Emergency treatment in state hospitals and clinics.
• Treatment for pre-existing or chronic conditions that becomes necessary during your trip — for example, dialysis, chemotherapy or oxygen therapy if you need it while abroad.
• Maternity care for urgent situations during travel.
• Healthcare costs charged at the same rate as a local resident — which in many countries means free or at low cost.

The key phrase is medically necessary treatment provided by the state system. If the local health system requires a small co-payment from residents (as it does in some countries), you pay the same co-payment.

What the GHIC does not cover

This is where most misunderstandings arise. The GHIC does not cover:

• Private hospitals and clinics — if you are taken to or choose a private facility, the GHIC offers no protection. In some countries, the nearest or most convenient hospital may be private.
• Medical repatriation — being flown home because you are too ill to travel commercially costs tens of thousands of pounds. The GHIC does not cover this; travel insurance does.
• Non-emergency treatment — routine check-ups, cosmetic procedures, or elective treatment cannot be planned around the card.
• Dental treatment — emergency dental care may be covered in some countries but not others; check locally. Routine dentistry is not covered.
• Lost or stolen items, cancellations, or other travel disruption — the card is health-only.
• Countries outside the covered list — the USA, most of Asia, Africa, and other non-participating destinations are entirely outside the GHIC's scope.

The GHIC and travel insurance: complements, not alternatives

The most important practical message: the GHIC should sit alongside travel insurance, not instead of it. Even within the EU, the card does not cover everything that can go wrong medically, and it covers nothing outside the EU.

A good travel insurance policy with strong medical cover handles the GHIC's gaps:

• Private hospital costs when the state system is slow or unavailable.
• Medical evacuation and repatriation home.
• Treatment in non-EU countries.
• Dental emergencies.
• Cancellation, baggage loss and other non-medical travel disruption.

For the full picture on what travel insurance covers, see Viamo's travel insurance guide.

How to apply for a GHIC (UK residents)

The GHIC is free of charge and applied for through the NHS at gov.uk/global-health-insurance-card. Beware of third-party websites that charge a fee to apply — these are not official and you can apply for nothing through the NHS directly. Processing takes around a week by post; apply in advance of travel rather than at the last minute.

Each person in your family needs their own card, including children. Cards expire and need renewing — check the date on your existing card before travelling.

How to use it abroad

Present your GHIC (or EHIC for EU/EEA citizens) when seeking treatment. In some countries, especially those with state health systems, the card is straightforward to use. In others, the administrative process is less familiar to local healthcare workers. Keep the card accessible and be prepared to show your passport as additional ID.

If you are charged upfront and need to claim costs back later, keep all receipts and documentation. Claims processes vary by country and can be slow — another reason why travel insurance with direct-billing arrangements with hospitals is often more practical in a genuine emergency.

Special situations: cruises, long-haul connections and EEA

If your trip to an EU country involves a stop in a non-covered country — for example, a cruise that calls at ports in both EU and non-EU countries — you will need travel insurance for the non-EU portions and can use the GHIC where it applies. Similarly, connecting through the UK or another non-EU country does not affect coverage once you arrive in the EU destination.

Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland (EEA/EFTA members rather than EU members) have separate arrangements. UK residents should check the current status of bilateral health agreements with these countries at gov.uk. EU citizens' EHICs cover these EEA countries under the coordinated EU social security rules.

Frequently asked questions

Is the GHIC free?

Yes. The GHIC for UK residents is entirely free and applied for through the NHS at gov.uk. Any website that charges you a fee to apply is not an official source.

Does the GHIC cover me in Norway or Switzerland?

Possibly, via bilateral agreements — but not automatically through the GHIC itself, which covers EU countries. Check the current status of UK bilateral health agreements with non-EU EEA countries at gov.uk before travelling to Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland.

Can I use an old EHIC if it has not expired?

If you are a UK resident and your EHIC was issued before Brexit, it may still be valid until its expiry date for EU countries. Check the current guidance at gov.uk and consider applying for a GHIC as a replacement once it expires.

Do I still need travel insurance if I have a GHIC?

Yes. The GHIC does not cover private treatment, medical repatriation, treatment outside the EU, dental emergencies or any of the non-medical aspects of travel disruption. Travel insurance covers these gaps and should always be held alongside the card.