European Health Insurance Card
European Health Insurance Card
If you are an EU/EEA/UK national and are travelling or staying temporarily in another state of the European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland or the United Kingdom, it’s always a good idea to apply for the health insurance card for an extra step of financial security for your holidays!
When travelling to a new place, even if we prepare every little detail, sometimes is out of our control what can happen once we arrive at our destination. That’s why you should always inform yourself and take the time to arrange everything you think you’ll need in order to be prepared for unexpected medical bills. If you’re going on holiday with your family or on a business trip or a short break or are heading off to study abroad, remember to make sure that you have obtained a card. It will help save you time and money if you get ill or suffer an injury while abroad.
BEFORE TRAVELLING
To get as prepared as possible for your abroad adventure, here are some things you can do:
- Buy adequate travel insurance for your specific circumstances.
- Check the information about healthcare in the country you are going to.
- Check online for the latest medical advice for travellers.
- Know what vaccinations you need, at least six weeks before you travel. Your GP surgery can help you with this one.
- Take enough supplies of any medication you take or might need and if possible, take a copy of the prescription with you.
- Carry any medical letters about your medical condition to help doctors and nurses abroad if you get ill.
THE EUROPEAN HEALTH INSURANCE CARD
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, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, under the same conditions and at the same cost as people insured in that country.
Another important information to have in mind that now, for United Kingdom citizens, this card is named Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). But don’t worry, the GHIC operates in the same way as an EHIC.
These cards ensure you get the same access to necessary medical treatment under public sector health care, such a doctor appointment, a pharmacy, a hospital, or a health care centre, as national of the country you’re visiting. If you need medical attention in a country that charges for health care, you’ll get your money back either immediately or once you get to your home country.
European Health Insurance Card: You Need To Know
The European Health Insurance Card and the Global Health Insurance Card are not an alternative to travel insurance. Neither of these cards cover any private healthcare or costs such as a return flight to your home country or lost/stolen property. And they don’t cover your costs if you are travelling for the express purpose of getting medical treatment for an illness or injury you had before travelling.
Remember that the European Health Insurance Card or the Global Health Insurance Card don’t guarantee free services. This because, each country’s healthcare system is different, services that cost nothing in your home country might not be the same price in another country. And if you move from your habitual residence to another country, you should also register with the S1 form, provided on the official website of the European Union or of the United Kingdom.
If you’re a student or a seconded worker or entitled to a social security pension in the state you’re travelling to, it might also be possible for you to receive healthcare beyond the immediate treatment.
European Health Insurance Card: How to Apply
To be eligible for a European Health Insurance Card or Global Health Insurance Card, you must be insured by or covered by a state social security system in any Member State of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, or United Kingdom. Note that each separate member of a family travelling should have their own card. You can make an application for yourself first and only then on behalf of your partner and any dependent children under the age of 16. If your kid is under 16 years old and he or she is going to a boarding school both you can apply for him or her or ask the boarding school teaching staff to apply on behalf of your child.
If you’re not from a country mentioned before, but you’re legally residing in any of them and are covered by a state social security scheme, then you’re also eligible for a card.
Applying for both European Health Insurance Card or Global Health Insurance Car is completely free, and you should receive it within ten working days.
To apply for the EHIC or the GHIC you can:
1) Apply online through the EHIC official website or the NHS official website.
2) If you prefer, you can apply in person by completing an application form at your local Health Office instead. This option is not available for applying for a GHIC.
3) The third option to apply is by asking for the application form at your local Health Office, Community Care office or Health Centre. You’ll receive it, complete the form and return it to your local Health Office.
If you have children going to study in the EU, he or she will need to apply for a GHIC that’s time-limited to the length of their course. They cannot apply for this online. They will also need a letter from your university or college confirming: the name and address of the UK educational institution (if they are going as part of a UK course), the address of where they’re studying in the EU, details of the qualification they’re studying for and the dates their course started and is due to finish.
As said before, note that Europe has two different health system, one public and one private. If your kid chooses to go to a private doctor, unfortunately, their health insurance card won’t cover their costs.
For EU students going to study in the UK, they don’t need a different European health insurance card as the EHIC covers everything already.
