It has been estimated that in 2022 over half of Britons don’t possess a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) while 5.4 million expired in 2019. It still isn’t clear how Brexit will affect Britons’ access to the card. In this article we examine:
- What the European Health Insurance Card is
- If you need a European Health Insurance Card
- How to renew your EHIC card
What is a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)?
An EHIC entitles you to medical care in all 28 European member states as well as countries like Switzerland and Norway – whether you’re visiting the country on holiday, on business or are working there. However, you aren’t covered for medical tourism i.e. when you visit another country for the sole purpose of treating a pre-existing condition. The card is completely free and is valid for 5 years.
Although we’re used to receiving free medical treatment on the NHS, this isn’t necessarily the case in other European countries. However, any money you pay for treatment would be the same as a citizen of that country would pay if they were in your situation. This means that in some countries, you may have to pay a patient contribution towards your healthcare – whether that’s for a hospital stay or prescriptions. Although the Department of Health used to reimburse these additional costs, since July 2014 you have to pay them by yourself (or claim from your travel insurer).
Your E111 Card in the UK
What is the difference between an E111 card and an EHIC card?
Essentially there is no difference between an E111 card in the UK and an EHIC card. E111 is simply the formal name for the form, often used to refer to the EHIC card itself. If you are planning to travel within the European Union in 2022 it is essential you carry a valid E111 / EHIC card on your person to protect you for foreign medical costs while you are abroad. It is not a replacement for your private own medical insurance policy or valid travel insurance, which you should have before embarking on any foreign holiday.
Questions about the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC):
You should carry a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) when travelling in Europe. Although the EHIC is not mandatory, it will cover certain costs in the event of a medical emergency, such as an accident which requires hospital treatment. This does not replace your travel insurance and could be used in conjunction with private health and dental insurance.
The EHIC may or may not be valid after Brexit depending on what happens with the negotiations. If, for example, there is a no-deal Brexit, the European Health Insurance Card will cease to be valid immediately. It is possible the UK and the EU may come to an agreement but we shall have to wait on the outcome of negotiations. You should consider other forms of travel insurance.
You can renew your European Health Insurance Card online via the UK government website. There are many other websites offering EHIC services but we do not recommend using these as they will often ask you to pay when no fee is due. Make sure you are using the official EHIC renewal section of the .gov UK website. You should also have your own seperate travel insurance.
Do I need a European Health Insurance Card?
If you’re planning to visit another European country, then it’s advisable that you apply for an EHIC, sometimes known as an E111 card. However, it should be remembered that this card is no substitute for good travel insurance. Although you’ll have access to medical treatment in an emergency, it doesn’t cover all associated costs. For example, if you needed to be repatriated to the UK in an air ambulance, without travel insurance, you’d have to pay for it yourself. It is also a medical card and doesn’t cover you for any loss, theft, or damage to personal possessions.
Each member of the family should have their own EHIC. In case of minors, the parents apply on their behalf and then cards are issued for each family member. You should make sure that you always carry the card with you or you could be refused medical treatment and/or be expected to pay.
How do I renew my EHIC card?
You can apply for a new EHIC up to 6 months before it expires. You should always make sure that you use the authentic gov.uk site. There have been cases of people typing ‘EHIC’ into a search engine and being directed to a copycat/ assistance site who apply on their behalf. Unfortunately, they have then been charged, on average, £20 for a card which is completely free.
Applications can be made online and usually take 7-10 days to reach you, so you should apply in plenty of time before you intend to travel. You can also make a telephone application, by calling 0300 330 1350. Alternatively, you could download the form and send it by post although postal applications might take longer.
How much does it cost to renew my E111 or EHIC card?
Renewing your E1-11 or EHIC health cover card is completely free from the NHS. You should receive your new card within around 7 days and there is no fee for the EHIC application or the card itself. There are many online companies offering a service to obtain the card for you, usually for a few of £20-£40, but there is no need for UK citizens to use services like these. The NHS allows you to not only apply for your card free of charge, but they also send you the card without any further fees.