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Free GHIC and EHIC
Get free or discounted medical care in EU countries
Updated 14 July 2023
The free European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is being phased out following the Brexit deal in favour of the also free Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). You can still use an EHIC for now, but if you've not got one, you'll normally need to apply for a GHIC. Both cards get free or discounted medical care in all EU countries and Switzerland.
Thanks to former MSE Rose Harris-Birtill who wrote our original EHIC guide – some of the content, where relevant, is still included here.
What is a GHIC and EHIC?
The GHIC and the EHIC are both free and do essentially the same thing.
If you're a UK national living in the UK, they entitle the holder to the same medical treatment as a local citizen at state-run hospitals and GPs in any European Union country and Switzerland – extremely useful in emergencies.
That means if a local citizen gets free medical treatment then you do too – but if they pay, you pay the same rates. As this is a reciprocal agreement, it also means EU citizens can use the NHS in the same way.
Prior to 1 January 2021 you were also covered with an EHIC in Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. This is no longer the case and Switzerland is now the only country outside the EU to accept cards held by UK citizens (who live in the UK).
It's also worth noting a GHIC or EHIC doesn't cover you if you're going abroad specifically to get treatment – see the NHS website for more info.
Many non-UK nationals living in the UK can still apply for an EHIC
If you're an EU, Swiss, Norwegian, Icelandic or Liechtenstein national who was living in the UK before 1 January 2021, you can still apply for a new EHIC. This will be valid in the EU, as well as in Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. Those moving to the UK as of 1 January 2021 don't qualify for an EHIC.
Quick need-to-knows
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Got an EHIC? Check it hasn't expired – over five million will this year
Valid EHICs can still be used by UK nationals living in the UK to get free or discounted medical treatment in EU countries and Switzerland. According to figures given to MoneySavingExpert.com by the NHS, 5.4 million EHICs are due to expire in 2023. Ensure yours is valid before you go away – if it's not, you'll normally need to apply for the GHIC.
Even if you've already got travel insurance, it's valuable extra protection, even if just for visiting a GP with a query while you're away.
How to check
The expiry date is on the bottom right of the card. If it's already expired, or is about to, you should renew (you'll receive the GHIC instead) – see how to apply.
If you have a valid in-date EHIC, do you need a GHIC?
No. If you're a UK national living in the UK and you already have an EHIC, you can continue to use it in the EU and Switzerland until the card expires, even if that's years away (cards are valid for five years when issued).
You only need a GHIC if you're a UK national living in the UK and your EHIC has expired or you're applying for the first time.
See how to apply for the GHIC below.
How to apply for a free GHIC
You can apply for a free GHIC via the official NHS website – the Government says it's currently taking up to 20 working days from the point of approval to receive a new card, so give enough time before your trip. If you don't have your card for when you travel, but need treatment while away, you can apply for a Provisional Replacement Certificate.
You can't get a GHIC from your doctor, nor can you get one from a post office.
Though you must be over 16 to apply for a GHIC, every family member requires a card. To apply on behalf of a child, just include them as a dependant in the relevant section of the application and you'll each receive a separate GHIC.
The GHIC is valid in EU countries, and Switzerland (for UK and Swiss nationals), but isn't valid in Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway, so it's worth remembering it's currently valid in fewer countries than the EHIC pre-Brexit.
If you lose your card, or it gets stolen, call 0300 330 1350 (from abroad call 0044 191 218 1999) or email nhsbsa.ghicenquiries@nhs.net.
Non-UK nationals living in the UK before 1 January 2021 can still apply for an EHIC.
Beware copycat GHIC/EHIC websites
Watch out for websites demanding a fee for the GHIC or EHIC. Search on the internet for 'GHIC' or 'EHIC' and you’ll find sites that describe themselves as "reviewing" or "forwarding" services, charging £20 or more to process your application. They often look official, but scroll to the bottom and you'll find a tick box asking for cash.
These copycat websites also try to trick people into overpaying for driving licences, passports and others – see the full Copycat sites guide for more.
ALWAYS use the official NHS site to get yours for free. A Department of Health spokesperson says:
These websites are not endorsed by the Department of Health. The Government is working with the Advertising Standards Authority, Trading Standards and search engines such as Google, to raise awareness and ensure enforcement action is taken where appropriate.
Can you get your money back from a copycat site if you've paid?
Sadly, far too many have been caught out through googling 'EHIC' and end up paying through an unofficial site, and this could happen to people when searching 'GHIC' as well. If this has happened to you, it's unlikely you'll be able to get your money back. However, it's worth contacting the site straight away and asking for a full refund, just in case.
This won't always work, but it's worth a shot – back in 2012, one MoneySaver who paid for his EHIC via an unofficial website found its terms allowed refunds within 30 days, so used this to get his money back (see the Paid-for EHIC applicants could get refund MSE News story). This won't be in all sites' terms, but if it's happened to you, do give it a go.
While it isn't unlawful to charge for a reviewing and forwarding service, tricking consumers into spending on unwanted services is. If you're concerned about an unofficial GHIC/EHIC website, contact the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133. See the National Trading Standards website for more info.
Beware unlawful GHIC/EHIC refusals
Worryingly, we've previously heard reports of holidaymakers having their EHICs refused for public healthcare in some countries. This has only affected a very small minority of travellers, and you should always take a valid EHIC nevertheless.
With the GHIC not being around for long, we've had little feedback on it so far. If you have trouble using a GHIC to access medical care, let us know at news@moneysavingexpert.com. It's always worth ensuring you've decent travel insurance, just in case.
Be careful what you sign
The European Commission's told us that if your EHIC's refused for public healthcare, it's likely to be a breach of EU law. To ensure you don't get caught out, ALWAYS check you're being treated under the public (rather than private) healthcare system when you show your EHIC. This will also apply if you've a GHIC.
Be very careful what you sign, particularly if you don't understand what it is, and be prepared to go elsewhere if you're refused public treatment. If it's a medical emergency and as a result you're forced to pay for private treatment, gather as much as evidence as possible. You can then contact the local British Embassy while abroad.
Will I get medical costs refunded if my GHIC/EHIC's refused?
If you've got travel insurance, then you may be in luck. Assuming the condition you have is covered by insurance, you should be able to claim.
However, most policies have an excess, which means you're responsible for the first part of any claim. Say the excess is £50 – if you claimed for something worth £200, you would only get £150 back as the first £50 is your responsibility. Therefore, factor in the excess to any payouts.
Sadly, if you don't have insurance or you're not covered for the condition, it's highly unlikely you'll be reimbursed. You can report the problem to the local British Embassy, though it probably won't get you your money back.
Country-by-country guide – what you're covered for
The GHIC and EHIC are usable in EU member states. Show your card before treatment, and keep any receipts. The European Commission has detailed country-by-country information on what's covered.
In each of the countries which allow you to use your GHIC or EHIC, listed below, it's worth checking that your treatment provider is registered with the state-run health scheme. In some countries, medical care is free, and in some you'll pay but only the same as a local.
Here's a list of links to the relevant European Commission pages:
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