What is the European Health Insurance Card?

Having a valid EHIC card entitles you to reciprocal medical treatment while on holiday in a participating European country. Currently, there are 31 nations – made up of the EU, the EEA and Switzerland – taking part in the scheme. You should be provided treatment on the same basis as a resident of that country.

The card replaced the E111, which ceased in 2005.

What does the European Health Insurance Card cover vs not cover?

The most important thing to know about the EHIC is that it is not an alternative to travel insurance. There are certain things that an EHIC entitles you to and others that only a comprehensive travel insurance policy will take care of. Ultimately, having both will provide you with the best possible medical cover for a holiday in Europe.

What the EHIC covers you for:

• necessary, state-provided treatment in the event of an accident or a sudden illness
• pre-existing illnesses that may flare up while you’re on holiday
• routine maternity care

For all of the above instances, you will be covered until your planned return. However, if medical care is the specific reason for your travels, this will not apply: the EHIC is for emergencies only.

What the EHIC does not cover:

• Repatriation – in some serious cases, you may need to be brought back to the UK for urgent treatment. This also applies if you die overseas and your body needs to be transported home. A comprehensive travel insurance policy should cover this.

• Additional costs related to your medical situation – in the event of serious illness or injury, you may require additional support. For example, transportation for medical equipment, and flights and accommodation for family. Your travel insurance may cover this, but the EHIC will not.

• Rescue – some travel insurance policies – for example, those with a winter sports option – will cover an air ambulance or mountain rescue.

• Delay – some travel insurance policies may allow you to claim for delays and cancellations. The EHIC does not.

• Theft and loss – a comprehensive travel insurance policy should be able to help if you fall victim to theft, or you lose something valuable while abroad. Once again, the EHIC will not.

The following countries do not:

• The Channel Islands
• The Isle of Man
• Monaco
• San Marino
• The Vatican

How is the European Health Insurance Card affected by Brexit?

Brexit is a complex and fast-moving issue, with new information being released almost daily.

Previously, the government had stated that Brexit would not affect the EHIC and that it should continue to work as it currently does up until December 31, 2020 (the end of transition period where the UK will leave the EU).

However, this will only happen if an agreement is reached between both the UK and the EU. Things become a little more complicated in event of a no deal Brexit on October 31, 2019.

Where no agreement is reached, the EHIC would likely become obsolete. The UK government could reach out to individual European countries in an attempt to strike up new reciprocal healthcare agreements, but it’s impossible to say this with any certainty.

Regardless of what happens with Brexit, it is highly advisable to take out a valid travel insurance policy before you travel. At this point you may be thinking, do I need an EHIC? Ultimately, it depends on the outcome of the ongoing Brexit negotiations and the amount you plan to travel in the immediate future. Remember that it is free, so you lose nothing by getting one, even now.