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13 Jun 2024

The Ehic and Ghic explained

Find out how a European Health Insurance Card (Ehic) and Global Health Insurance Card (Ghic) work and how to get them

Dean SobersSenior researcher & writer

In this article

Does my Ehic still work after Brexit?

Yes. If you have a European Health Insurance Card (Ehic), you can continue to get free or discounted healthcare until the card's expiry date.

Once it expires, you'll need to apply for the Global Health Insurance Card (Ghic). Like the Ehic, you can use the Ghic to get state healthcare in the EU.

Neither an Ehic nor a Ghic gives equivalent protection to travel insurance, which remains essential.

Some insurers will waive fees or excesses if you hold an Ehic or Ghic, so it makes sense to have them alongside insurance.

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What is an Ehic?

An Ehic is a free medical card that can be used throughout the EU and entitles you to treatment in state hospitals at the same price as the residents of the country you're visiting. So if they get free treatment, you get free treatment.

Ehics are no longer being issued or renewed in the UK, except to a few groups:

A citizen of the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland who started living in the UK before 1 January 2021, and their families.
Some British state pensioners who started living in the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland before 1 January 2021, and their families.
UK students who started living and studying in the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland before 1 January 2021.

Ehic and new Ghic cards are free, and you can apply for a new card up to six months before your current card expires. If you need to apply for a new card, go directly to the NHS website.

What is a Ghic?

A Ghic is a free medical card that gives you access to 'necessary healthcare' in EU countries at the same price as citizens of that country.

So if they get free treatment, you get free treatment.

Necessary healthcare includes healthcare that can't wait for you to return to the UK, such as emergency treatment, routine medical care for pre-existing conditions, routine maternity care (unless you're going to a country to give birth) and oxygen and kidney dialysis.

You can apply for a Ghic if you're resident in the UK:

UK citizens can apply online.
Non-UK citizens will need to fill out a form.
UK students going to study in the EU can also get a Ghic by filling out a form.

key information

Beware rip-off Ghic application sites

The Ghic, like the Ehic, is free. But we've found several websites charging you money to apply for one.

There's no advantage to applying for a Ghic through these firms; a company can't fast-track your application.

Use the NHS website to apply for a Ghic.

How do I use an Ehic or Ghic?

Ehics and Ghics are simple to use. All you have to do is present your Ehic or Ghic before you have treatment and you shouldn't have any problems.

Remember to keep it on you at all times. If you're rushed to a medical centre and don't have it with you, it can be more difficult to get treatment.

You can only use the Ehic or Ghic for state-run medical treatment.

If you end up in a private health centre or hospital, you'll probably have to foot the entire bill yourself, unless you're covered for this by travel insurance. In an emergency situation, most insurers will cover treatment at a private hospital if it's not possible to reach a public hospital.

However, they will usually need to authorise the treatment ahead of it taking place. This makes it important to contact your insurer as soon as you can if you fall ill.

What if I don't have my card with me?

You might be able to get a Provisional Replacement Certificate, a temporary Ehic or Ghic replacement, if you don't have your card with you. It's much easier, though, to present your Ehic or Ghic on arrival.

If you need a Provisional Replacement Certificate, see the NHS guide to find out what to do.

I have an Ehic or Ghic – do I need travel insurance?

Yes. Many travellers assume that having an Ehic or Ghic means they don't need travel insurance, but this couldn't be further from the truth.

While, somewhat confusingly, Ehic and Ghic have 'insurance' in their names, both only help you meet the cost of state-provided medical treatment.

You can't use them for:

any medical treatment at a private hospital or clinic
repatriation to the UK
rescue, for example from a ski accident, or if you fall ill on a cruise ship
cancelling or cutting short your holiday
your luggage going missing or being stolen
state-provided healthcare in non-EU countries such as the US and Australia (although the government has suggested the Ghic scheme may be expanded).

We therefore strongly advise getting travel insurance for foreign trips of any length.

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Will I be covered by Ehic or Ghic if I have a pre-existing medical condition?

Both the Ehic and Ghic cover treatment of a chronic or pre-existing condition if the symptoms flare up during your holiday and a visit to a healthcare professional becomes necessary.

It also covers routine medical care for people with pre-existing conditions that need monitoring.

However, the Ehic doesn't provide cover if you're going abroad specifically to have treatment. Nor does it guarantee the kind of specialist treatment you might receive at home.

Travellers with pre-existing medical conditions can find travel insurance difficult or very expensive to obtain, but there are specialist insurers that can help.

Find out more: best travel insurance if you have a medical condition

Could my Ehic or Ghic be refused?

If you're in a country that participates in the Ehic or Ghic scheme, you should be entitled to state medical care if it's necessary while you're travelling.

If your card is refused in a state-run clinic, try to get proof that you presented it at the time, as this could be key to getting the excess waived by your insurer. And, if for some reason you think you've been incorrectly charged, you might still be entitled to reimbursement from the NHS.