Brits taking vacation abroad this year are being urged to get a free health insurance card before traveling to 34 countries. The UK's Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) allows you to receive the health care you need in the European Economic Area (EEA) and several other countries under the same conditions as local residents.
This means that if you need healthcare abroad, you can get it for free or pay for what the locals pay. Without the card, you may have to branch out for the full cost of a very expensive treatment. GHIC has replaced the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), also known as the “E111”, but both do essentially the same thing. If you still have an EHIC, you can use it until the card expires, but after that you will need to replace it with a GHIC.
This card can be used to obtain health care for a state that “cannot wait reasonably” before returning to the UK. This includes medical care such as emergency care, A&E visits, treatment for long-term or existing medical conditions, or routine obstetric care (who will not go abroad to give birth).
The NHS explains: “The UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) can obtain the same state health care that the country has as residents of the European Economic Area (EEA) and other countries.
“The UK GHIC has replaced the existing European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). If you have an existing EHIC, you can continue using it until the card expires. Once it has expired, you will need to apply for and replace the UK GHIC.
You can use the free UK GHIC when visiting any of the following 34 countries:
AustriaBeldiumGalliacRoatiaArepublicRepublicMalkinstoniaFinFranchugarmaniaRieHungarylandRitallandVialitorAniaRaXembourgmaltanlandSpolandportugalromaniaslovakiassolovianaspainswedenmontenegroaastrialistrialistrHelena, Tristan,AcensionSwitzerland
GHIC is available free of charge and lasts for up to 5 years. You can apply for one through the NHS website. This requires you to provide your full name, address, date of birth and national insurance number, or health and care number if you are from Northern Ireland. All members of the family need their own cards, but can be added to the application upon application.
You must get a confirmation of your email within 24 hours to let us know if your application is approved. You must also obtain a free card through the post within 15 business days.
