Travel health - EHIC 

European Health Insurance Card  

EHIC 2

A European Health Insurance (EHIC) card can help get you free access to medical treatment abroad. This video shows that anything can happen on holiday.

Reciprocal healthcare agreements

A reciprocal healthcare agreement is where one country agrees to provide healthcare to visitors from another country in return for that country agreeing to do the same.

The UK has reciprocal healthcare agreements with the following non-EEA countries and territories:

  • Anguila
  • Armenia
  • Australia
  • Azerbaijan
  • Barbados
  • Belarus
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • British Virgin Islands
  • Croatia
  • Falkland Islands
  • Georgia
  • Gibraltar
  • Isle of Man
  • Kazakhstan
  • Kyrgyzstan
  • Macedonia
  • Moldova
  • Montserrat
  • New Zealand
  • Russia
  • Serbia and Montenegro
  • Tajikistan
  • Turkmenistan
  • Turks and Caicos Islands
  • Ukraine
  • Uzbekistan

If you are visiting any of these countries and you need urgent or immediate medical treatment, it will be provided at a reduced cost or, in some cases, for free.

The reciprocal healthcare agreements do not cover the cost of return travel to the UK (repatriation) or the routine monitoring of pre-existing conditions.

The range of medical services in these countries may also be more restricted than those provided by the NHS. Therefore, always ensure that you have a valid private travel insurance policy. Find out more about reciprocal healthcare agreements.

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)

A European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) entitles you to free or reduced-cost medical treatment in a European Economic Area (EEA) country or Switzerland. The EEA includes all European Union countries as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.

There is a country-by-country guide to EEA countries in the Healthcare abroad section.

What the EHIC covers

The EHIC is usually valid for five years and covers any medical treatment necessary as a result of an accident or illness. The card entitles you to state-run medical services only, and you will be treated on the same basis as an 'insured citizen’ of the country you are visiting.

This may not cover all the treatment and services you would usually get free of charge from the NHS, and you may have to contribute to the cost of your care.

What the EHIC does not cover

The EHIC is not a substitute for travel insurance. You are strongly recommended to take out a private travel insurance policy before you travel.

The EHIC does not cover:

  • the cost of bringing you back to the UK
  • the cost of private healthcare or services that are not part of the country’s healthcare system (for example, many European countries have private ambulance services that charge a fee for taking someone to hospital)

If you are travelling abroad to receive medical treatment (including giving birth), the EHIC will not cover your treatment.

Eligibility

All UK residents are eligible to apply for an EHIC, although it is not valid for people who are going to live abroad. Some non-UK nationals may not be entitled to treatment in Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein or Switzerland. Check with the government of your home country for further advice.

Applying for an EHIC

The quickest way to get an EHIC is to apply for an EHIC online. Applying for an EHIC is free and you should not to have to pay a fee.

Your card will usually arrive within seven days. You can also apply by phone (0845 606 2030) or by post using an application form available from some Post Offices.

See the Healthcare abroad section for more information about the European Health Information Card.

Last reviewed: 11/05/2010

Next review due: 11/05/2012

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