European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) Guide
What the EHIC covers, how to apply for one, and how to use it when you need healthcare in another EU country.
Compiled by Bikram Nath from official sources
At a glance
- Cost
- Completely free, issued by your home country's public health authority; paid third-party sites are not official
- What it covers
- Medically necessary state-provided care on the same terms as locals; not private clinics or repatriation
- Processing time
- Typically 1-2 weeks; apply at least 3-4 weeks before any planned travel
- Where valid
- All 27 EU states plus Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein; Switzerland via bilateral agreement
- UK residents
- Use the GHIC since Brexit; it is not valid in Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein
- Validity
- Cards typically last three to five years depending on the issuing country
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European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) Guide
The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is one of the most practical benefits of EU citizenship or legal residence. It gives you access to state-provided healthcare in any EU or EEA country on the same terms as a local — useful for everything from a holiday accident to a planned medical appointment while traveling for work. Understanding what it covers (and what it does not) will save you from surprise bills.
What the EHIC Actually Covers
The EHIC entitles you to medically necessary, state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in another EU/EEA country. That means:
- Emergency treatment after an accident or sudden illness
- Treatment for pre-existing or chronic conditions if you need care during your stay (such as dialysis, cancer treatment, or insulin for diabetes)
- Maternity care in cases of medical necessity
- Follow-up care from an ongoing condition
"State-provided" is the key phrase. The EHIC only covers treatment through the public health system of the country you are visiting. If the local population can see a doctor without paying, so can you with your EHIC. If locals pay a co-payment, you pay the same.
What the EHIC does not cover:
- Private hospitals or private clinics — even if the public system has a long wait
- Repatriation costs (medical flights home)
- Travel delays or cancelled plans due to illness
- Planned medical tourism (traveling specifically to receive cheaper treatment abroad)
- Care that is not medically necessary during your trip
Which Countries Accept the EHIC
The EHIC is valid across all 27 EU member states plus Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein (the EEA). Switzerland has its own bilateral agreement and accepts the EHIC through that arrangement.
Countries covered: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden — plus Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland.
How to Get Your EHIC
The EHIC is issued by your home country's health authority, not by the EU centrally. The process varies by country:
- Denmark: Apply through your local municipality (kommune) or via Sundhedsdatastyrelsen online
- Sweden: Apply through Försäkringskassan online or by phone
- Germany: Your Krankenkasse issues it automatically or on request
- France: Apply through Ameli.fr (your Assurance Maladie account)
- Netherlands: Your health insurer sends it; request a replacement through them
In most countries, the card arrives within two to four weeks. Many countries now also offer a Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC) by email if you need proof immediately before your card arrives.
Using the EHIC in Practice
When you need medical care abroad, present your EHIC when registering at a public hospital, clinic, or GP surgery. Staff should bill your home country's health authority directly.
In practice, some healthcare providers are unfamiliar with the EHIC process, particularly in smaller clinics or rural areas. In these situations you may be asked to pay upfront and claim reimbursement afterward. Keep all receipts and documentation. Reimbursement is handled by your home country's health authority, not the country where you received treatment.
The EHIC does not replace travel insurance. For any trip outside your home country, travel insurance that covers repatriation, private care, and trip cancellation costs is still advisable alongside your EHIC.
The GHIC for UK Residents
Since Brexit, UK residents can no longer apply for an EHIC through the UK. Instead, the UK issued the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), which functions similarly to the EHIC for travel to EU countries. It covers medically necessary state healthcare on the same basis.
Key differences from the EHIC:
- The GHIC is only valid for travel from the UK to EU countries — it is not recognised in Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein (EEA-only countries)
- Switzerland has separate bilateral arrangements with the UK
- UK residents with an EHIC issued before December 2020 may continue using it until its expiry date
Apply for the GHIC free at NHS.uk. There is no charge; any site asking for payment is not official.
Renewing Your EHIC
EHIC cards typically have a validity of three to five years depending on your country. Renewal is usually handled through the same channel you used to apply. Set a reminder a few months before expiry, as there can be processing delays, and you may travel without valid coverage if the card lapses.
If you move to a different EU country and register with the health system there, you will need to apply for a new EHIC from your new country of residence. Your old card becomes invalid once you are no longer covered by the issuing country's health system.
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