EHIC Card

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and its successor, the UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), allow UK residents to access state-provided healthcare during temporary stays in most European Economic Area (EEA) countries. The scheme also covers Switzerland (EHIC only), plus selected states with reciprocal UK agreements like Australia, New Zealand, Gibraltar, the Falklands, Isle of Man, Jersey, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and various UK overseas territories.

All UK residents should apply for, and carry, a valid card before travelling abroad. Applying is free, and both EHIC and GHIC are now valid for up to 5 years. Always check your card’s expiry before travel, and renew early if needed.

2025 Update: After Brexit, the GHIC is the new standard for UK citizens. Existing EHICs remain valid until expiry, but no new cards are issued to standard UK residents—apply for a GHIC instead. Note that the GHIC is not valid for non-EU European countries like Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, but does work across the EU and other reciprocal states.

Both GHIC and valid EHIC cards cover necessary state healthcare during temporary visits—emergencies, accidents, or unexpected illness—but will NOT cover planned procedures or travel solely for treatment purposes. You may be asked to pay small co-payments (for prescriptions or hospital meals) in some countries. These cards will not grant free access to private hospitals, mountain rescue, repatriation to the UK, or costs for lost/stolen property—travel insurance remains essential.

Showing your EHIC/GHIC entitles you to the same state healthcare (and charges) as residents in the country you visit. In some countries, a part of the bill may be paid upfront and reimbursed by the NHS—or recovered through the relevant local authority when you return to the UK.

Coverage includes essential emergency care, plus ongoing treatment for chronic conditions, kidney dialysis, maternity care, and unexpected complications. It does NOT cover pre-arranged medical tourism, private hospitals, or services typically excluded from the host country’s public system.

Many insurers now require you to hold a GHIC/EHIC and may waive certain excess or upfront payments if you use these cards for eligible treatment. Double check your policy’s terms before travel.

If prescribed medication contains controlled drugs, you must travel with a doctor’s note stating:

• Your name
• Countries you plan to visit
• Description, dosage, and quantity of medication
• Signature and details of your prescribing doctor

For updated requirements, check NHS: Taking medicine abroad.

How to Apply for GHIC in 2025

Application is fast, free, and available online. You can renew up to six months before expiry, but remaining validity from an old card is not added to the new one. Apply via the official NHS portal:
Apply for a UK GHIC

For expats resident in Spain, remember that long-term residents should register for Spain’s own healthcare system (SIP card) for full coverage and not rely on EHIC/GHIC for ongoing or scheduled care.