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European Health Insurance Card (EHIC): application, validity, covered countries and limits

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) allows UK residents to access public healthcare during a temporary stay in Europe, provided they apply before departure. It is free of charge and usually valid for up to 5 years.

However, it does not cover repatriation, private healthcare or mountain rescue. In the event of a serious accident or prolonged hospitalisation, costs can quickly reach several thousand pounds. For many trips, it is useful… but insufficient.

The European Health Insurance Card in 20 seconds

🇪🇺 Valid in EU countries + Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein → Not valid in Turkey, Albania, Montenegro or outside Europe.
⏳ Validity period: up to 5 years → Always check the expiry date before travelling.
💳 100% free → Apply online via the NHS.
🏥 Medically necessary treatment in the public system only → Emergencies, hospitalisation or essential care during your stay.
💰 Reimbursement according to local rules → Out-of-pocket costs possible if locals pay a contribution.
❌ No medical repatriation → Medical transport back to the UK can cost £10,000 to £30,000.
❌ No cover in private clinics → Common in tourist areas.
❌ No cover for cancellation, baggage or personal liability.
📄 Provisional replacement certificate available in emergencies → Temporary proof if the card has not arrived yet.
🧾 A complementary travel insurance policy costs only a few euros per day → It covers medical repatriation, 24/7 assistance, private healthcare and expenses not covered by the EHIC.

Warning!

The EHIC is essential when travelling in Europe, but it does not protect against major financial risks. Compare travel insurance on HelloSafe and choose cover adapted to your destination.

Compare the best travel insurances in 2 clicks.

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What is the European Health Insurance Card for?

The European Health Insurance Card provides access to medically necessary healthcare during a temporary stay in Europe. It gives you access to the public healthcare system of the country you are visiting.

In practical terms, it covers you as if you were insured under the country’s public system. In other words: it is equivalent to the local “public health system”, but not private health insurance.

This means:

  • if the country applies a co-payment, you must pay it;
  • if there is a hospital daily fee, you must pay it;
  • if part of the cost is not reimbursed by the public system, it remains your responsibility.

The EHIC does not guarantee free healthcare. It provides basic cover under local rules, with possible out-of-pocket costs that can be higher than in the UK.

Which treatments are covered?

Type of treatment
Covered with the EHIC?
Conditions
🩺 Consultation with a public doctor
✔ Yes
According to local rules (co-payment possible)
🚑 Emergency treatment
✔ Yes
If medically necessary during the stay
🏥 Hospitalisation in a public hospital
✔ Yes
Local charges may apply
💊 Prescribed medication
✔ Partially
According to the country’s reimbursement rules
♻️ Chronic illness (e.g. diabetes, asthma)
✔ Yes
If treatment becomes necessary during the stay
🤰 Pregnancy care
✔ Yes
If medically necessary during the trip
📅 Planned treatment abroad
❌ No
Requires specific prior authorisation
🏥 Private clinic
❌ No
Not covered by the EHIC
Healthcare covered by the EHIC

⚠️ EHIC limits: what it does not cover

  • ❌ Medical repatriation
  • ❌ Mountain rescue
  • ❌ Private healthcare
  • ❌ Trip cancellation
  • ❌ Baggage and personal liability
Real example

Medical repatriation from Spain or Austria to the UK can cost between £12,000 and £25,000. The EHIC covers none of it.

👉 In Europe, the EHIC is equivalent to the local public healthcare system. It does not cover private insurance, assistance services or repatriation.

A travel insurance policy fills these gaps and protects against the most expensive risks.

Compare over 100 travel insurance plans in one click

EHIC or travel insurance: do you need both?

The EHIC covers medically necessary treatment in the public healthcare system of the country visited. It allows you to be treated like a local resident, with possible out-of-pocket costs.

It does not cover repatriation, assistance, rescue or private care. In a serious accident, the difference can amount to tens of thousands of pounds.

📊 Detailed comparison: EHIC vs travel insurance

Cover
EHIC
Travel insurance
🏥 Public healthcare
✔ Covered according to local rules (co-payment possible)
✔ Covered according to policy
💳 Out-of-pocket costs (co-payments, daily fees)
❌ Your responsibility
✔ Reimbursed up to limits
🏨 Private healthcare
❌ Not covered
✔ £100,000 to unlimited depending on policy
🚑 Medical repatriation
❌ Not covered
✔ Organisation + cover (often £100,000+ or unlimited)
🚁 Mountain rescue
❌ Not covered
✔ £8,000 to £40,000 depending on policy
📞 24/7 assistance
❌ No
✔ Yes
✈️ Trip cancellation
❌ No
✔ £2,500 to £8,500 depending on plan
🔁 Trip interruption
❌ No
✔ Reimbursement of unused services
🧳 Baggage
❌ No
✔ £800 to £2,500 depending on plan
⚖️ Personal liability abroad
❌ No
✔ Up to £1 million to £5 million depending on plan
Detailed comparison: EHIC vs travel insurance

👉 The EHIC protects against basic medical costs in Europe. Travel insurance protects against major and unexpected expenses.

Our advice

For a European city break: EHIC + basic travel insurance.

For skiing, a long trip, pre-existing conditions or travel outside Europe: travel insurance is essential.

💰 Real examples with exact costs: EHIC vs travel insurance

🚁Ski accident in Austria: You are on a winter sports trip in Austria. You fall on a red run. A helicopter rescues you and takes you to a public hospital. You are hospitalised for 2 days with a fracture.

Costs and coverage:

Expense
Average cost
EHIC (covered / out-of-pocket)
Travel insurance (covered / out-of-pocket)
🚁 Helicopter rescue
£5,200
❌ £0 / £5,200
✔ £5,200 / £0
🚑 Ambulance
£520
❌ £0 / £520
✔ £520 / £0
🏥 Hospitalisation (2 days)
£35
✔ £0 / £35
✔ £35 / £0
💊 Medication
£85
✔ £40 / £45
✔ £85 / £0
Austria ski accident: EHIC vs travel insurance

👉 Total to pay with EHIC: approx £5,800

👉 Total to pay with travel insurance: £0

✈️ Appendicitis in Spain with repatriation: You are on holiday in Barcelona. Acute appendicitis. Hospitalisation in a public hospital. The doctor recommends medical repatriation back to the UK.

Costs and coverage:

Expense
Average cost
EHIC (covered / out-of-pocket)
Travel insurance (covered / out-of-pocket)
🏥 Hospitalisation
£2,600
✔ £2,340 / £260
✔ £2,600 / £0
✈️ Medical repatriation
£17,000
❌ £0 / £17,000
✔ £17,000 / £0
Appendicitis Spain: EHIC vs travel insurance

👉 Total to pay with EHIC: approx £17,260

👉 Total to pay with travel insurance: £0

🚗 Accident in Italy (private clinic): You are on a road trip in Tuscany. A minor accident. The ambulance takes you to the nearest private clinic.

Costs and coverage:

Expense
Average cost
EHIC (covered / out-of-pocket)
Travel insurance (covered / out-of-pocket)
🚑 Ambulance
£600
❌ £0 / £600
✔ £600 / £0
🏥 Private clinic (24h + tests)
£3,000
❌ £0 / £3,000
✔ £3,000 / £0
Italy private clinic: EHIC vs travel insurance

👉 Total to pay with EHIC: approx £3,600

👉 Total to pay with travel insurance: £0

Clear conclusion: the EHIC covers necessary public healthcare only.

It does not cover the most expensive items: rescue, medical transport, repatriation and private care.

A serious incident in Europe can result in £4,000 to £25,000 of uncovered costs.

👉 To avoid this financial risk, combining EHIC + travel insurance is the safest option. Compare cover on HelloSafe and choose a plan adapted to your destination.

Compare the best travel insurance

In which countries is the EHIC valid?

The European Health Insurance Card is valid only in certain European (and associated) countries. It does not cover worldwide travel.

✅ Countries covered by the EHIC

  • All EU countries (Spain, Italy, Germany, Portugal, Greece, the Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, etc.)
  • Switzerland
  • Norway
  • Iceland
  • Liechtenstein

In these countries, you can access public healthcare under local rules. Out-of-pocket costs are possible.

Warning

The EHIC does not guarantee that you won’t have to pay upfront. In some countries, you may have to pay first and claim reimbursement later.

❌ Countries not covered by the EHIC

Country / area
Examples of costs and risks without travel insurance
🇹🇷 Turkey
Private consultation: £70 to £130
Hospitalisation: £1,700 to £4,300
Tourists are often treated in private clinics.
🇦🇱 Albania
Emergency care: £90 to £260
Hospitalisation: several thousand pounds
Immediate payment often required.
🇲🇪 Montenegro
Mixed system, costs often paid upfront
Accident + hospital stay: £1,300 to £3,400.
🇲🇦 Morocco
Private consultation: £25 to £70
Hospitalisation: £850 to £2,600
Repatriation: £8,500 to £21,000.
🇹🇭 Thailand
Hospitalisation: £2,600 to £8,500
Private care common
Payment required before discharge.
🇺🇸 United States
Emergency visit: £1,700 to £4,300
Hospitalisation: £8,500 to £85,000
Repatriation: £25,000+.
🇨🇦 Canada
Emergency care: £430 to £1,300
Hospitalisation: £4,300 to £17,000.
🇯🇵 Japan
Hospitalisation: £2,600 to £6,800
Mandatory co-payment.
🇲🇺 Mauritius
Mostly private care for tourists
Bills of £850 to £4,300.
🌍 Latin America (Mexico, Brazil, etc.)
Emergency care: £850 to £4,300
Private hospitals often preferred for foreigners.
Countries not covered by the EHIC

In all these destinations, the EHIC provides no cover. You must pay the full medical bill yourself.

A serious accident, surgery or repatriation can quickly exceed £8,500 to £42,000.

👉 Outside the EHIC zone, travel insurance is essential to avoid major financial risk. On HelloSafe, you can compare cover by destination and choose a plan that matches your budget.

Compare over 100 travel insurance plans in one click

How to apply for the European Health Insurance Card

Applying for an EHIC is simple, free and fully online. It must be done before you travel.

📌 Who can get an EHIC?

You must be ordinarily resident in the UK and eligible for NHS healthcare.

Typically, this includes:

  • Employees
  • Self-employed people
  • Students
  • Pensioners
  • Dependants

Each person, including children, needs their own card.

The EHIC is intended for temporary stays (holidays, business trips, short courses).

💻 Where and how to apply?

You apply online via the official NHS service:

  • NHS: https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/healthcare-abroad/apply-for-a-uk-global-health-insurance-card-ghic/

The application takes a few minutes from your online form.

💳 Cost and delivery time

The EHIC is 100% free. You should never have to pay.

Beware of private websites that charge for applications.

Average delivery time is 5 to 15 working days.

⚠️ If you travel soon, you can request a Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC) which provides temporary cover.

👉 If you want immediate protection that includes repatriation, private care and 24/7 assistance, you can purchase travel insurance in minutes via HelloSafe.

Find the Right Coverage in 30 Seconds

How long is the EHIC valid for and how do you renew it?

An EHIC is usually valid for up to 5 years (check the expiry date printed on the card).

It’s a good idea to check the date before every trip abroad.

🔄 How to renew your EHIC

Renewal is free and done online through the NHS application service. The process is similar to a first-time application.

Average delivery time is 5 to 15 working days.

Good to know

An expired card gives you no cover abroad.

If your card expires close to your departure date, you can request a Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC) to cover you temporarily.

👉 To avoid any risk in case of delays or administrative issues, travel insurance can provide immediate cover, including repatriation and costs not covered by the EHIC.

Find the Right Coverage in 30 Seconds

EHIC and the UK after Brexit: is it still valid?

Yes. Even after Brexit (effective since 31 January 2020), UK-issued EHICs and replacement arrangements still allow access to medically necessary treatment in many European countries during temporary stays.

In practice, UK residents may hold either an EHIC (in certain situations) or a GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card). Both are designed to provide access to state-provided healthcare abroad under local rules.

What this means in practice

  • You can access state healthcare in participating countries under local rules.
  • Some costs may remain payable (e.g. co-payments, prescription charges).
  • Private healthcare is not covered.
  • Medical repatriation back to the UK is not covered.

👉 After Brexit, the EHIC (or GHIC) remains useful for public healthcare abroad, but it does not cover major financial risks. A complementary travel insurance policy is strongly recommended.

FAQ

No. The EHIC lets you access state-provided healthcare on the same basis as a local resident.

If locals pay a co-payment, hospital charge or prescription fee, you will pay that part too.

Several reasons are possible:

  • You were treated in a private clinic.
  • The country applies co-payments or patient contributions.
  • You had to pay upfront and claim reimbursement afterwards.

The EHIC does not guarantee zero cost, only access to public healthcare under local rules.

No. Medical repatriation back to the UK is never covered by the EHIC.

Medical transport can cost £10,000 to £30,000 depending on distance and medical needs.

Yes, if you are treated in a state hospital (public system).

Medically necessary emergency care during your stay is covered under local rules, with possible out-of-pocket costs.

Yes. Switzerland is part of the countries where the EHIC (or GHIC) is accepted.

You can access state-provided care, but patient contributions can be higher than in the UK.

Yes, in many cases.

The EHIC does not cover repatriation, mountain rescue, private care, cancellation or baggage. Travel insurance complements this and limits the financial risk.

You can request a Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC) from the NHS service.

It provides the same rights as the card for a limited period.

Yes, if treatment becomes medically necessary during your trip.

It does not cover travel abroad with the main purpose of giving birth or receiving planned treatment.

The EHIC (or GHIC) is intended for temporary stays (holidays, business trips, short courses).

For moving abroad or long-term stays, you may need local registration or international health cover.

No. The EHIC covers state-provided healthcare only.

In a private clinic, costs are usually your responsibility.

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