The European Health Insurance Card
What is the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)?
The EHIC is for use within the European Union, European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland if you fall ill or have an accident, while on a temporary visit.
It replaces the former E111 form. It entitles the holder to the same state healthcare as local citizens.
Its benefits therefore vary, depending on which country you are in at the time.
If you are fortunate to be in a country with free state healthcare then that is what you will receive.
If you are in a country with a poor state-provided health system, then you will only receive the local service.
I have an EHIC, do I need travel insurance?
The short answer is, yes.
The EHIC is very useful to have, but it only covers the bare minimum.
It is not as wide ranging as travel insurance. For example, it covers public hospitals only, not private ones.
The EuropeanHealth Insurance Card, covers non private healthcare.
Travel insurance will cover you for:
-
Repatriation costs.
-
Mountain rescue.
-
Additional accommodation costs, resulting from your accident.
-
Loss of accommodation as a result of being in hospital.
-
Cancellation cover, if you have an accident or become ill prior to going on holidays.
-
Lost luggage, theft, personal assault.
The EHIC does not cover the above items.
For peace of mind, and for sound economic reasons, you should organise travel insurance now>>.
How do I apply for my EHIC?
First of all, don't get fooled by the websites that charge you to apply. The card if free, and applying for it is simple.
You need a card for each person travelling.
You can apply online here>>
