Should I take an EHIC/GHIC?

More information can be found under our FAQ ‘What is an EHIC or GHIC card?’.

If you are travelling within the EEA or Switzerland, we strongly recommend that you, and anyone travelling with you, obtain an EHIC or GHIC, and take it with you. The following countries enable you to use your card abroad:

1. Austria
2. Belgium
3. Bulgaria
4. Croatia
5. Republic of Cyprus
6. Czech Republic
7. Denmark
8. Estonia
9. Finland
10. France
11. Germany
12. Greece
13. Hungary
14. Iceland (GHIC only)
15. Ireland
16. Italy
17. Latvia
18. Liechtenstein (GHIC only)
19. Lithuania
20. Luxembourg
21. Malta
22. Netherlands
23. Norway (GHIC only)
24. Poland
25. Portugal
26. Romania
27. Slovakia
28. Slovenia
29. Spain
30. Sweden
31. Switzerland (UK nationals, Swiss nationals, and EU citizens only)

Please bear in mind that an EHIC/GHIC is not a replacement for travel insurance, and would not provide cover for repatriation, or for a close relative to stay with you or fly out to be with you. It simply gives you the right to receive discounted, or free, state-funded healthcare and treatment as if you were a resident of the country you’re visiting. The card (which is free) can be applied for on the NHS website.

Related FAQs

1. How do I make a claim in the event of poor weather?
2. Am I covered for disruption due to natural disasters?
3. Am I covered for travel disruption caused by the Icelandic volcanic ash incident?
4. Am I covered to drive abroad?
5. Can I cancel my policy if it does not meet my needs?
6. Can I extend an individual trip policy from abroad?
7. Can I increase the personal possessions limit?
8. Can my family travel independently on an annual policy?
9. Can we be insured as a couple on the same annual policy?
10. Do you cover cruises?
11. Do you provide cover for Scheduled Airline Failure?
12. How do I get adequate liability cover for driving in USA?
13. How do you define UK resident?
14. How many days can I be abroad on an annual policy?
15. How much are my golf clubs insured for?
16. Is it possible to extend the trip limit on the annual policies?
17. Is the cover per person or per policy?
18. Is there an excess?
19. Should I contact you each time I travel on my annual policy?
20. What is the EHIC?
21. Should I take an EHIC card?
22. What does a single or individual trip mean?
23. What if my Travel Agent is forcing me to take their insurance?
24. What if my travel plans are affected by extreme weather conditions?
25. What if the staff from the airline I am travelling with go on strike or threaten industrial action?
26. What is the single article limit?
27. Can I cover my gadgets whilst abroad?
28. When is travel insurance necessary?
29. When does travel insurance need to be purchased?
30. Am I covered if there were to be a terror related attack?