Alyssa Lane
The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) allows EU citizens access to state-provided healthcare services at a reduced cost or for free when they are travelling in the EU. The card covers necessary medical treatments at hospitals and therapists affiliated with the public health service in the country where the card was issued. The EHIC is not a replacement for travel insurance and does not cover private healthcare, planned treatments, or rescue and repatriation services. The validity period of the EHIC varies by country, and it is typically provided for free.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Card name | European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) |
| Who is eligible | Citizens from an EU/EEA country or Switzerland |
| Who is not eligible | Nationals from non-EU countries |
| Countries where EHIC is not valid for non-EU citizens | Denmark, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, and the UK |
| Countries where EHIC is not valid for refugees | N/A |
| Countries where EHIC is not valid for family members of EU citizens | N/A |
| Cost | Free |
| Validity | 3 years |
| Coverage | Necessary medical treatment at a hospital and/or by a therapist affiliated with the public health service |
| Coverage for private healthcare | No |
| Coverage for repatriation | No |
| Coverage for planned treatment | No |
| Coverage for travel insurance | No |
| Coverage for cancellation | No |
| Coverage for lost or stolen luggage | No |
| Coverage for winter sports | No |
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What You'll Learn
Eligibility for the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is available to citizens of an EU/EEA country or Switzerland. Each family member needs to have their own card. To be eligible for the card, you must be insured or covered by a state social security system in any Member State of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland. People from non-EU countries who are legal residents of the EU and are covered by a state social security scheme are also eligible for the card. However, they cannot use their EHIC for medical treatment in Denmark, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.
If you live in Ireland but are linked to another EU/EEA state's social security system, you should contact the health authorities in that country for more information. If you live in Northern Ireland but are employed in Ireland, you can get an Irish-issued EHIC. Frontier workers (cross-border workers) can also get an Irish-issued EHIC as long as they return home at least once a week and make social security contributions in Ireland. Student dependents of frontier workers can also get an Irish-issued EHIC. They must be aged 18-23, studying in the EU/EEA or Switzerland, and have a completed School or College Details form.
The EHIC is not a replacement for travel insurance. It does not cover private healthcare or costs such as return flights to your home country, lost/stolen property, or costs if you are travelling for medical treatment. It is recommended to apply for the card well in advance of your trip. The EHIC is usually valid for three years, but it can also be valid for up to four years.
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Limitations of the EHIC
The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is a free card that gives you access to medically necessary, state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in any of the 27 EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland, or the United Kingdom. However, there are several limitations to the EHIC that you should be aware of:
- The EHIC is not an alternative to travel insurance. It does not cover any private healthcare or costs such as return flights to your home country, lost/stolen property, or other extras like winter sports cover. Therefore, it is recommended to have travel insurance in addition to your EHIC.
- The EHIC does not cover your costs if you are travelling for the express purpose of obtaining medical treatment.
- The EHIC does not guarantee free services. As each country's healthcare system is different, services that are free in your home country might not be free in another country.
- The EHIC is only valid for a certain period, typically three years. Even if the time period on the card has not expired, you must still meet certain requirements to be entitled to use the card. For example, if you are from Norway, you must still be a member of the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme.
- The EHIC is not accepted everywhere in Europe. While it is valid in all 27 EU countries, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland, there are some territories where it is not accepted, such as Andorra, Monaco, and the Channel Islands.
- The EHIC does not cover healthcare outside of Europe, with the exception of a few agreements, such as in the Faroe Islands and Greenland.
- The EHIC does not contain a photo, so you may need to carry additional photo ID with you when travelling.
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Applying for the EHIC
The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) allows you to access public healthcare in another EU/EEA state for free or at a reduced rate. The card does not cover any private healthcare or costs such as a return flight to your home country, lost/stolen property, or costs if you are travelling for the express purpose of obtaining medical treatment. It also does not guarantee free services.
- Check your eligibility: The majority of people who have citizenship from an EU/EEA country or Switzerland are eligible for an EHIC. In addition, if you are a member of the National Insurance Scheme in Norway and are a citizen of Norway or another EU/EEA country or Switzerland, you are entitled to an EHIC from Norway. If you are a pensioner who has moved to another EU/EEA country, you may also be entitled to an EHIC from Norway.
- Gather the required documents: If you are a UK resident but not a UK national, you will need your passport and a UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or EHIC to get emergency healthcare. If you are a student, you will need a letter from your university or college stating the name and address of the institution and your address in the EU/EEA or Switzerland.
- Apply for the EHIC: You can apply for the EHIC online through the official website of the health authority in your country. For example, if you live in Ireland, you can apply through the HSE website. Alternatively, you can contact the health authorities in your country for more information on how to apply.
- Wait for the card to arrive: The processing time for EHIC applications may vary depending on the country. Make sure to apply well in advance of your trip to ensure that you receive the card on time.
- Check the validity and renew if needed: The EHIC is typically valid for three to five years. Check the expiry date on your card and renew it before your current card expires. In the UK, you can renew your card online by entering the 10-digit ID number on your expired card.
- Understand the limitations: Keep in mind that the EHIC may not cover all health costs and never covers repatriation costs. It is recommended to have separate travel insurance in addition to the EHIC. Additionally, the standard of treatment may vary from country to country, and services that are free in your home country may not be free in another country.
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Temporary Replacement Certificate
If you are a citizen of an EU/EEA country or Switzerland, you are entitled to a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). The card allows you to access public healthcare in another EU/EEA state for free or at a reduced rate. This includes necessary medical treatment at a hospital or by a therapist affiliated with the public health service in the country you are visiting. However, the EHIC does not cover private healthcare or costs such as repatriation, lost/stolen property, or mountain rescue in ski resorts. As such, it is recommended that you also have travel insurance to cover these potential expenses.
Now, if you don't have your EHIC for any reason, you can obtain a Temporary Replacement Certificate (also known as a Provisional Replacement Certificate or PRC). This certificate provides the same entitlement as the EHIC but for a shorter period. You can apply for a PRC online, in person, or by post to your Local Health Office. It is important to note that a PRC should only be issued in exceptional circumstances, such as if your EHIC is lost or stolen while you are already abroad or if you are travelling at too short notice to obtain an EHIC.
To be eligible for a PRC, you must meet the eligibility requirements for an EHIC. This typically includes being a citizen of an EU/EEA country or Switzerland and, in some cases, being a member of the National Insurance Scheme in your country of citizenship. It is worth noting that the PRC is not meant to replace the EHIC, and insurers should not make it a routine practice to provide a PRC instead of an EHIC.
When travelling within the EU/EEA, it is not mandatory to have travel insurance. However, as mentioned earlier, having travel insurance in addition to your EHIC or PRC can provide more comprehensive coverage for potential expenses not included in the EHIC or PRC, such as private medical healthcare, repatriation, and lost/stolen property.
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Reimbursement for EHIC
The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) allows you to access public healthcare in another EU/EEA state for free or at a reduced rate. The card is available to citizens of EU/EEA countries or Switzerland, and those who live in another EU/EEA state or Switzerland. The EHIC is not a replacement for travel insurance and does not cover private healthcare or costs such as return flights or lost/stolen property.
If your EHIC is not recognised abroad, you can request your national health institution to contact the doctor or hospital. If this does not work, you can ask SOLVIT for help. If you have forgotten to use your EHIC, you can apply to Helfo for reimbursement. You can also apply for reimbursement if you have been treated at a hospital or by a therapist not affiliated with the public health service. For treatment in Switzerland, reimbursement is only available if the therapist is affiliated with the public health service. You must send the application form and documentation to Helfo within 6 months. If you have settled on the spot, the deadline is calculated from the treatment date; if you have not settled on the spot, the deadline is calculated from the invoice date or the day of payment.
If you want to be reimbursed while still abroad, you can present the invoice to the foreign health insurance provider along with your EHIC. If you prefer, some providers can calculate the amount you will be refunded after your trip. If your EHIC was not accepted, you can claim your expenses back by sending proof of payment, such as invoice receipts, till receipts, or bank statements.
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Frequently asked questions
The EHIC is a card that allows you to access public healthcare in another EU/EEA state for free or at a reduced rate.
To be eligible for the card, you must be insured under the public health insurance scheme in any Member State of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland and the UK. Nationals of non-EU countries cannot use their EHIC for medical treatment in Denmark, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland and the UK.
You can apply for the EHIC online. There is no fee for the card and renewing it is also free.
The EHIC covers necessary medical treatment at a hospital and/or by a therapist affiliated with the public health service in the country in which you are staying. It does not cover private healthcare or costs such as a return flight to your home country or lost/stolen property.
If you don't have your EHIC for any reason, you can get a Temporary Replacement Certificate or a Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC). These certificates give you the same entitlement as the Card but for a shorter period.
