Applying for a EHIC is a wise move. Most of us have heard of EHIC and are aware that it is something to do with healthcare in Europe. Every year there are surveys highlighting the misconceptions about EHIC and where it is valid, so read on as we run through the basics of EHIC, starting with where it can be used.

Defining Europe

EHIC stands for European Health Insurance Card. So far, so simple. But defining “Europe” isn’t as easy as you might think. We can all pretty much agree that Germany, Spain or France are most definitely in Europe, however you choose to define it. But what about the countries of the former USSR or Yugoslavia? What about countries like Switzerland which aren’t in the EU? And what about other countries surrounding the Mediterranean like Turkey – are they European too?

EEA Only

Forget the arguments about what is and is not Europe as there is only one definition which matters when it comes to EHIC. EHIC is valid in all of the countries which are part of the European Economic Area, often abbreviated to EEA. The EEA includes all countries which are in the European Union (EU), as well as Switzerland, Norway and Iceland. It does not include countries like Serbia or Montenegro which used to be part of Yugoslavia, or countries such as Ukraine and Belarus which were part of the Soviet Union. Membership of the EEA changes over time, with new applicants such as Croatia being considered for membership. As the UK goes through the Brexit process, it is uncertain whether the UK will remain part of the EEA or not. Any country in the EEA has the EHIC system and issues EHIC cards for its own citizens to use anywhere else in the EEA too. If you’re living in the UK but paying tax or are permanently domiciled in another EEA country, you may have to apply to them for your health cover card.

Travelling Outside the EEA

Outside the EEA, even if you consider yourself geographically still in Europe, your EHIC won’t be valid. There’s no point showing it if you go to the doctor or are admitted to hospital, and you will either be expected to pay the full amount for state hospital treatment, or fund yourself in a private hospital. So if you’re off on holiday to Russia or on business to Serbia, it is recommended that you have comprehensive travel insurance to cover the cost of any hospital treatment and repatriation to the UK should anything go wrong.

Travel within the UK

If you’re not planning to leave the UK, you won’t need EHIC to access NHS care. If you need to see a doctor or have an accident when you are on holiday anywhere in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, simply give your details to the receptionist and they will be able to access your records and confirm that you are entitled to care on the NHS as a UK taxpayer.