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As you may know, The United Kingdom (UK) left the European Union (EU) as a result of Brexit which went into effect as of the 1st January 2021. This comes with a new set of rules applying to things like travel and doing business with Europe.

The original card European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) has now been changed to the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) This change comes as The UK is no longer part of The EU. The UK-issued card is completely free of charge. If you have a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), you can continue to use it until it expires. You DO NOT need to apply for a GHIC if you have a valid EHIC which has not expired, however, you can use the portal to order a new GHIC up to six months before the expiry of an existing card.

When to apply for a GHIC

UK-issued European Health Insurance Cards (EHICs) are still valid and offer the same cover as GHICs in the EU. Once your EHIC has expired, you’ll be able to replace it with a GHIC. Most people can apply for a GHIC online, but some people need to apply by post. Your card should take no longer than 10 days to arrive. 

Who can get a GHIC

You can apply for a GHIC through the online portal if your healthcare is paid for by the UK and you’re a UK or Irish citizen who lives in the UK. if the above does not apply to you, you will have to apply through post. An EHIC or GHIC is free of charge, be careful of unofficial websites, which may charge you if applying through them. You can get a provisional replacement certificate (PRC) if you need treatment abroad and do not have a card.

You can apply for your card here! 

It is important to remember that the GHIC is not an alternative to travel insurance. Make sure you have a valid private travel insurance policy before you travel, as well as your GHIC. The GHIC will not cover any private medical healthcare or costs, such as mountain rescue in ski resorts or being flown back to the UK.Make sure you have both a GHIC and a travel insurance policy that includes healthcare in place before you travel. Some insurers now insist you hold a GHIC. You may not be able to use your GHIC in parts of the EU where state-provided healthcare is not available.

Check that you’re not booked with a private healthcare provider, as these are not covered by GHIC.If you fall ill on a ship or plane, your GHIC also covers you for necessary treatment when you arrive in an EU country.

Not all state healthcare is free in the EU and you may have to pay for services that you’d get for free on the NHS.

Be cautious if healthcare arrangements are made by a hotel or travel representative claiming that you’ll get back anything you pay for. Costs may not be recoverable under the GHIC scheme, particularly if treatment is not from a state provider.

Check your individual travel insurance covers your healthcare needs.

GHIC will not cover your medical treatment if you’re travelling abroad specifically to have medical treatment, including giving birth. Find out about going abroad for medical treatment.

What the GHIC covers

Your GHIC entitles you to free or reduced cost state-provided healthcare where treatment becomes medically necessary during a temporary visit to the European Union (EU). Your card gives you access to treatment at the same cost as residents of the country you are visiting. In some countries, state healthcare is not completely free to residents and you may have to pay a contribution towards the cost of your treatment. You will not be able to claim the money back for this contribution.

You may also be covered for necessary healthcare when you visit some non-EU countries. Find out more on the GOV.UK foreign travel advice pages.

You can use a GHIC to get “necessary healthcare” from state services when you’re visiting an EU country. Necessary healthcare means healthcare which becomes medically necessary during your stay, and you cannot reasonably wait until you’re back in the UK to get it.This includes things like:

Emergency treatment and visits to A&E

Treatment for a long-term or pre-existing medical condition

Routine medical care for pre-existing conditions that need monitoring

Routine maternity care, as long as you’re not going abroad to give birth

Oxygen and kidney dialysis

You’ll need to pre-arrange some treatments with the relevant healthcare provider in the country you are visiting, for example kidney dialysis or chemotherapy.

Remember NOT all state healthcare is free in the EU and you may have to pay for services that you’d get for free on the NHS.

What the GHIC does not cover

GHICs and old UK EHICs only cover you in EU countries. They do not cover you in Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland.

However, if you were already on a visit to Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland before 1 January 2021, your UK EHIC entitlements will continue until you leave that country. You can also use a UK passport to get medically necessary treatment in Norway.

Each country’s health system is different and might not include all the things you might expect to get free of charge from the NHS.

In some countries, you have to pay a percentage towards the cost of any state-provided treatment, known as a patient co-payment.

What to do if you’re abroad and do not have your card

You can get a Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC) to prove your entitlement to medically necessary healthcare if you travel to Europe without your GHIC or EHIC and need treatment during your visit.

You’ll need to apply for a PRC by calling Overseas Healthcare Services at the NHS Business Services Authority on +44 (0)191 218 1999, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.

Someone else can apply for a PRC on your behalf.

If you need it outside opening hours, you should call as soon as possible the next working day.

The PRC will give you the same cover as an EHIC or GHIC until you return home.

When calling for a PRC, you’ll need to give:

• your National Insurance number
• your name
• your address
• your date of birth
• the name of the treatment facility
• the email address for the specific department of the organisation providing your treatment

Registration

As GHIC is a new service, they are initially processing applications through the existing EHIC portal. This means that you may find references to EHIC during your application.

To use the website to apply for your GHIC you must have a user account. Use your existing EHIC account if you have one or alternatively, create one using your name and email address. You’ll also need to choose a password.

You must be at least 16 years of age to register, If you are the main applicant you can apply for a GHIC for yourself, your partner and any dependent children you have.If you are under the age of 16, a parent or guardian will need to register as the main applicant. They must enter their details first and apply for any additional cards when prompted.

If you need a replacement GHIC because your card is lost, stolen or damaged, please email us at nhsbsa.ghicenquiries@nhs.net.
You can find more information on the NHS.UK Page.