European Health Insurance Card - EHIC

The EHIC - What is it?

As of January 1st 2006 the E111 was replaced by the new European Health Insurance Card ( EHIC), as such this is now a uniformly issued card throughout all the European Economic Area (EEA) countries. Like the old E111 the new EHIC gives the card holder access to many recipricoal healthcare arrangements agreed upon between European member states. However, it must be stressed that an EHIC is still not a substitute for a good travel insurance policy, and should only be regarded purely as a complementary addition to your holiday and travel insurance arrangements.

For example, the EHIC does not cover you for repatriation costs like a comprehensive travel insurance would, so therefore could leave you wide open and vulnerable to very costly charges if this ever was required. The EHIC will, however, cover you for emergency treatment and in some cases pre-existing conditions as well, but if your sole intention is to travel abroad for medical treatment then this is definately not covered on the insurance card.

Who is entitled to it?

The EHIC is free to anyone over 16 who's normal place of residence is the United Kingdom, unfortunately it is not available to residents of the Channel Islands and Isle of Man. As each card entitles only the card holder to its insurance benefits it means that each family member must apply and be issued with their own. You will find the EHIC is normally valid from between three to five years, and then after that you will need to re-apply again. You will, however, throughout that period, be able to receive free or at reduced cost any medical treatment you might require either through illness or accident while in the following EEA countries:

Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain (including the Canary and Balearic Islands), Sweden, Switzerland

How Do I get it?

You can find out more and apply online for the EHIC at www.ehic.org.uk. Alternatively, you can collect an application form from your local post office and apply by post.

Summary

Although the EHIC is called an insurance card the cover you actually get is significantly less than that of stand alone travel insurance policies. With that in mind the EHIC should only therefore be regarded as an additional insurance and not entirely relied upon as your only form of travel insurance.

Click here for Travel, Backpacker, Wintersports and Activity Insurance Quotes

Other relevant articles are: Ski Insurance
and Travel Insurance.
Alternatively, try our articles index for more insurance topics - More Articles