We primarily think of EHIC as something which UK travellers can use to access state healthcare in the countries which make up the EEA, and it’s easy to forget that the same rights apply to people from other EEA countries who are visiting the UK. If you have friends or relatives visiting from elsewhere in the EEA and they need to access NHS treatment, what should you do?

Same Rules Apply

The basic EHIC rules apply wherever care is accessed. The person concerned cannot have travelled to the UK with the sole reason of accessing healthcare, or to give birth. EHIC won’t be accepted by a private GP or hospital anywhere in the UK. The person who needs to use the NHS must have their EHIC paperwork with them, and a passport to prove their identity and nationality. NHS hospitals have come in for a lot of criticism in recent months for tolerating “health tourism” and are cracking down on people who are not entitled to receive state care. Always take paperwork with you to hospital.

Getting EHIC Overseas

Only people who are resident in the UK and are paying tax or have a National Insurance number here can apply for EHIC from the UK authorities. People who have their main residence in another EEA country must apply to their own state healthcare provider for their EHIC cover. The process for doing this will differ by country, and the process for applying should be completed before arriving in the UK. Remember too that the abbreviation EHIC doesn’t always translate exactly either – for example French people refer to the CEAM (Carte Europeene d’Assurance Maladie) and in Germany it’s the Europaische Krankenversicherungskarte. Wherever the card is issued, it has the same blue and white design, the ring of stars which is the EU symbol, and the personal details of the holder.

Using the NHS with a Foreign EHIC

If a visiting relative or friend falls ill or has an accident, follow the same process as you would making an appointment for yourself. A GP will be able to see people as a temporary patient, as long as they can present their EHIC and passport to the practice manager. The one exception to this is visitors from Ireland, as the Irish and UK government have a separate arrangement and EHIC is not required. In an emergency, go straight to any A&E or minor injuries unit where the patient will be treated under EHIC rules. Whatever the rules are in their home country about paying for inpatient stays, or contributing towards blood tests and scans, none of that applies in the UK as they will treated on the same basis as any other patient in the NHS. This could involve paying for prescriptions, or contributing towards the cost of dental treatment or spectacles.

Students and Longer Term Visitors

EHIC is only valid for people who are visiting the UK for short periods, and not for people who have moved here for work or study. Alternative arrangements should be made, and Universities and employers can usually give guidance on how to do this.