European Health Insurance Card - information update
The EHIC scheme gives you access to medically necessary state-provided healthcare in EU countries, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland at a reduced cost, or sometimes for free.
However, if you don’t have your card when you travel, don’t worry. You are still covered by the scheme even without the card.
We hope you don’t require healthcare during your trip, but if you do, you can contact us while you’re abroad and we’ll issue a Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC) to the healthcare provider.
A PRC will give you the same cover as an EHIC until you get home.
The EHIC is not a replacement for travel insurance. People travelling to EU and non-EU countries on holiday should continue to buy comprehensive travel insurance.
EHIC holders should be reassured that they can continue to use the card that they have now until 31 December 2020, as long as it’s in date.
Contact Information
Katy Edgar
Senior Media and Campaigns Officer
NHS Business Services Authority
Notes to editors
About the NHS Business Services Authority
The NHS Business Services Authority is an Arm’s Length Body of the Department of Health and Social Care which provides a range of critical central services to NHS organisations, NHS contractors, patients and the public. Its purpose is to be a catalyst for better health and its vision is to be the delivery partner of choice for the NHS. For more information about the NHSBSA, please visit www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk.
Latest EHIC information: