EHIC - European Health Insurance Card

You can apply for the card free of charge via the official EHIC online application form. Other unofficial websites may charge you if you apply through them.

The EHIC is not an alternative to travel insurance. It will not cover any private medical healthcare or costs such as mountain rescue in ski resorts, being flown back to the UK, or lost or stolen property. Therefore, it is important to have both an EHIC and a valid private travel insurance policy. Some insurers now insist you hold an EHIC and many will waive the excess if you have one. For more information read our advice on travel insurance.

The EHIC is valid in all European Economic Area (EEA) countries. The EEA is a free trade zone between countries of the European Union (EU), Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein. The regulations on access to healthcare in the EEA also apply in Switzerland.

For more information about what is covered in each country, see our country-by-country guide.

Any person who is ordinarily resident in the UK, and is of British, other EU/EEA or Swiss nationality, is eligible for an EHIC. You can apply online and free of charge via the official EHIC application form.

If your nationality is not one of those mentioned above you’ll have to provide evidence that you are ordinarily resident in the UK. Proof of entitlement could be your visa, a letter from the Home Office, a letter from your employer or an approved A1, S1, E101, E106 or E109 form. You cannot apply online.

Complete the EHIC application form (PDF, 122kb) and post it to:

NHS Business Services Authority
European Health Insurance Card
EHIC Applications
Sandyford House
Archbold Terrace
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE2 1BF

For more information about what ordinarily resident means, visit the HM Revenue & Customs website.

You must be over 16 years of age in order to apply yourself.

Residents of the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man are not eligible.

Applying for an EHIC is free of charge. You can apply for your EHIC online, however, other unofficial websites may charge you if you apply through them.

You can also apply by phoning the automated service on 0845 606 2030 or you can download an application form (PDF, 122kb) and return it to the NHS Business Services Authority, which processes all applications.

NHS Business Services Authority
European Health Insurance Card
EHIC Applications
Sandyford House
Archbold Terrace
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE2 1BF

Note: You cannot use this application form if you live outside the UK. Residents of the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man are not eligible for an EHIC.

You can apply for yourself or on behalf of your partner and any dependent children in full-time education under the age of 19. If you are under 16 a parent or guardian will need to apply for you. Boarding school teaching staff can apply on behalf of any children in their care.

Each person you apply for will need to give their:

• full name
• date of birth
• National Insurance or NHS number (CHI number in Scotland or Health and Care Number in Northern Ireland)

However, temporary National Insurance numbers are not valid. A temporary National Insurance number uses the prefix 'TN', the date of birth and M or F to denote gender (for example TN131160M). These are no longer accepted and cannot be used to apply for an EHIC.

Your card will normally arrive within seven days if you apply using the official process.

If you are not of British, EEA or Swiss nationality, you’ll have to provide evidence that you are ordinarily resident in the UK. Proof of entitlement could be your visa, a letter from the Home Office, a letter from your employer or an approved A1, S1, E101, E106 or E109 form.

You cannot apply online. Instead, you’ll have to complete an application form (PDF, 122Kb) and post it to: 

NHS Business Services Authority
European Health Insurance Card
EHIC Applications
Sandyford House
Archbold Terrace
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE2 1BF

For more information about what ordinarily resident means, visit the HM Revenue & Customs website.

Yes. Every family member requires a card.

You should apply for an EHIC in your name and include your child as your dependant. You will each receive your own EHIC. You can apply for the card free of charge on the official EHIC online application route. Other unofficial websites may charge you if you apply through them. Alternatively, you can apply by calling 0845 606 2030.

You can apply for the card free of charge on the official EHIC online application route. Other unofficial websites may charge you if you apply through them. You must enter your own details first and apply for any additional cards when prompted. Alternatively, you can apply by calling 0845 606 2030. 

Each country’s healthcare system is slightly different. Therefore, your EHIC might not cover everything that would be free on the NHS. However, you should be able to get the same treatment as a resident of the country you're visiting.

In some countries, you may have to pay a patient contribution, also known as a co-payment. See our county-by-country guide for more information.

You may be able to get a refund for these payments when you're back in the UK if you could not do so in the country where you were treated.

• The EHIC will cover any medical treatment that becomes necessary during your trip, for example because of either illness or an accident. (In an emergency you can dial the European emergency number 112 from any telephone or mobile phone).
• The card gives access to reduced-cost or free medical treatment from state healthcare providers.
• It includes treatment of a chronic or pre-existing medical condition that becomes necessary during your visit.
• It includes routine maternity care (not only because of illness or accident), as long as you're not going abroad to give birth. However, where the birth happens unexpectedly, the card will cover the cost of all medical treatment for mother and baby that is linked to the birth.
• The card covers the provision of oxygen and kidney dialysis. You will have to arrange and pre-book these treatments before you go on holiday. You can ask your GP or hospital for advice, but make sure you are not booked with a private healthcare provider as these are not covered by the EHIC.
• The card also covers routine medical care for people with pre-existing conditions that need monitoring.

The EHIC is not an alternative to travel insurance. It will not cover any private medical healthcare or costs such as mountain rescue in ski resorts, being flown back to the UK, or lost or stolen property. Therefore, it is important to have both an EHIC and a valid private travel insurance policy. Some insurers now insist you hold an EHIC and many will waive the excess if you have one.

The EHIC will not cover your medical expenses if you are going abroad specifically to have treatment (including giving birth). Find out more about planned treatment abroad.

You may not be able to use the card in some parts of the EEA as state-provided healthcare may not be available.

The EHIC is valid for up to five years. Check that your EHIC is still valid before you travel. Renewing your card is free. You can renew an EHIC up to six months before the expiry date. However, any time left on the card will not be added to your new card. Renew your EHIC and go abroad knowing you are more prepared. 

Check that your EHIC is still valid before you travel. Renewing your card is free and you can do it online if none of your personal details have changed.

If you need to amend your personal details then you can only renew your card if you have your PIN, which is provided on your EHIC card. Otherwise, you should call the automated EHIC application service on 0845 606 2030. If you are unsure whether you have provided all information about changes, please contact the enquiry line on 0845 605 0707.

You can renew an EHIC up to six months before the expiry date. However, any time left on the card will not be added to your new card.

Renew your EHIC and go abroad knowing you are more prepared.

The PIN (personal identification number) is printed on the EHIC itself. The PIN number begins with 'UK' (for example UK123456), and is found on the same line as the date of birth.

You’ll need the PIN when you want to renew your EHIC and also have to make changes to your personal details such as your name and address.

It is a good reference number to have at hand and makes it easier for the EHIC team to find your details on the system.

If some of your details have changed since your card was issued you may not be able to renew your card online without your PIN. Please read the following guidance:

None of my details have changed

You can renew your card online. Please enter all of your details without the PIN.

My name has changed

You cannot renew online. Please contact our application line on 0845 606 2030 to renew your card. (You can renew online if you have your PIN).

My address has changed

If none of your other details have changed, or if you have previously informed us of your change of address, you can renew online. Enter your new address in the address field. Your renewed card(s) will be sent to this address.

If you are unsure whether you have informed us of any changes, or if there have been any other changes to your details, please contact our enquiry line on 0845 605 0707.

Yes. Please enter details of all members of the family, including those who still have valid cards. This will ensure that details of all members of the family remain linked. A warning message will be displayed for those whose cards cannot be renewed and only those cards that have expired or are due to expire will be renewed this time. 

In order to ensure that your personal details are kept completely secure, and to ensure that the information we hold is accurate, we ask that you complete the application in full each time you renew your card.

In general, to be eligible for an EHIC from the UK you must be resident in the UK. Providing an NI or NHS number helps to prove that you are entitled to hold an EHIC.

This number is not printed on the card because of EEA regulations regarding the format of the card.

If you need to replace a lost EHIC, call 0845 606 2030. Alternatively, you can email ehicenquiries@ppa.nhs.uk or write to EHIC Enquiries, PO Box 1114, Newcastle upon Tyne NE99 2TL providing your full name, UK address, date of birth and, if known, your EHIC Personal Identification Number (PIN).

If your EHIC is lost or stolen while you are abroad, you or someone on your behalf should apply for a Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC). This will give you the same cover as an EHIC until you return home. To apply, call the Overseas Healthcare Team on 00 44 191 218 1999 (Monday to Friday, 8am–5pm). It's a good idea to save this number in your phone.

To get a PRC, you will need to provide your name, address, date of birth and National Insurance or NHS number (CHI number in Scotland or Health and Care Number in Northern Ireland).

If you need to update your personal details because you’ve changed your name or moved house, then you should inform the EHIC team, who will record the new information and, where appropriate, issue a new card. Call the EHIC enquiries team on 0845 606 2030. Alternatively, you can email ehicenquiries@ppa.nhs.uk or write to EHIC Enquiries, PO Box 1114, Newcastle upon Tyne NE99 2TL providing your full name, UK address, date of birth and, if known, your EHIC personal identification number (PIN).

The same applies if you need to add a dependant.

Some European health systems expect you to pay your bill when you are treated and then claim a refund using your EHIC. Try to apply for your refund before you return home. Find out how to do this in the country-by-country guide.

If you need to make a claim once you return to the UK, call the Overseas Healthcare Team on 0191 218 1999 (Mondy to Friday, 8am–5pm). You will need your National Insurance number and UK bank or building society details to hand.

Remember to keep all receipts and any paperwork (make copies if necessary). You or your insurance company may need them if you're applying for a refund or reimbursement.

The NHS is a residence-based healthcare system. Therefore, once you have moved permanently away from the UK you are no longer entitled to medical treatment under normal NHS rules.

However, if you're receiving a UK state pension or long-term incapacity benefit, you may be entitled to healthcare paid for by the UK. You will need to apply for form S1 (or an E121 if you are moving to Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland), which you need to present to the health authorities in your new country of residence. You will then be treated on the same basis as a resident of that country.
To apply for your S1 or E121 contact the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) or The Pension Service.

You cannot apply online for your UK-issued European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) if you live abroad. You must apply by post using form EHICE, which should be sent to you automatically with your S1 or E121. If you haven’t received an EHICE application, please contact the relevant organization.

• UK state pensioners contact The Pension Service on 00 44 191 218 7777
• UK long-term incapacity benefit recipients contact the DWP on 00 44 191 218 1999

Read more information about moving abroad.

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) replaced the old E111 in 2006. All E111s are now invalid. You’ll need a valid EHIC, which you can apply for online and free of charge. 

Other unofficial websites may charge you if you apply through them. Alternatively, you can apply by calling 0845 606 2030.

Yes. You are covered for travel from the date of application (if you made your application via our telephone application line or online).

If you travel and you do not have your card with you, and treatment becomes medically necessary during your visit, you may be issued with a Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC) to prove your entitlement to the EHIC. This will be sent directly to the place of treatment.

To apply, call the Overseas Healthcare Team on 00 44 191 218 1999 (Monday to Friday, 8am–5pm). It's a good idea to save this number in your phone.

To get a PRC, you will need to provide your name, address, date of birth and National Insurance or NHS number (CHI number in Scotland or Health and Care Number in Northern Ireland).