As the holiday season approaches it is a good time to remind all travellers of the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which has just had its second birthday.
The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is held by European citizens and makes it easier to obtain medical treatment while staying temporarily in another Member State. Treatment is provided in accordance with the rules of the Member State being visited, and costs are reimbursed in line with the tariffs applied in that Member State.
The only personal information on the card is the Card holder’s surname and first name, personal identification number and date of birth. The European health insurance card does not contain medical data.
By carrying a European health insurance card, European citizens travelling to another member State of the European Economic Area or to Switzerland, whether for private or professional reasons, will benefit from a simplified procedure for receiving any medical assistance that might become necessary during a temporary stay.
You should not travel to another Member State of the European Economic Area or Switzerland without your European health insurance card. If you have to pay any costs up front, these documents guarantee reimbursement of health care costs locally or very soon after your return home.
The EHIC only refers to state treatment. It does not entitle you to any private treatment. Each member of your family needs to have their own card. It is for short term and long-term travellers, and those temporarily living or working or studying in one of the listed countries.
It covers travel to these countries;
Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway,
and Switzerland.
It does not apply to any other country.
If you go on holiday without the card, you will of course receive the treatment necessary, but may have to pay up front. A doctor cannot refuse to treat you if your state of health necessitates treatment. The doctor or medical establishment might well ask you to pay the full cost, or to pay up front a proportion of the costs.
If you are thinking of going to another Member State for medical treatment, the European Health Insurance Card will not cover you if you have gone there for the express purpose of obtaining medical treatment.
If you go to a private doctor or establishment, you will not be able to use your card.
The EHIC card only entitles you to essential medical treatment. If you are temporarily living or working abroad, you should seriously consider
International Health Insurance.
