Do you still need a GHIC or EHIC card when you travel?
Yes, if you live in the UK and are heading to Europe or certain other countries, you should still have a valid UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). These free cards prove your right to state-provided healthcare abroad and can dramatically cut the cost of emergency treatment, but they are not a replacement for travel insurance, so you will normally want both in place before you go.
Is a GHIC or EHIC card compulsory for travel?
You can usually enter EU countries without one, but travelling without a valid GHIC or EHIC means you may have to pay the full local cost of state healthcare if you fall ill or have an accident, so it is strongly recommended.
Does a GHIC replace travel insurance?
No, a GHIC or EHIC only helps with state healthcare costs and will not cover private treatment, getting you home in a medical emergency, trip cancellation, delays or problems with your baggage.
Where can you use a GHIC card?
A UK GHIC works across all EU member states and in a number of other countries that have reciprocal healthcare deals with the UK, such as Australia, Jersey, Guernsey, the Isle of Man and some British Overseas Territories.
How much does a GHIC cost and how long does it last?
Applying for or renewing a GHIC is completely free through the official NHS or GOV.UK website, and the card normally lasts for up to five years before you need a new one.
Key Points: GHIC and EHIC cards explained for UK travellers 2026.
- GHICs and EHICs are free cards that give UK residents access to state-provided healthcare when visiting EU countries and some other destinations.
- They usually let you pay the same for care as a local resident, which may be free or discounted, but they do not cover private treatment or medical repatriation.
- GHICs and valid EHICs are still useful after Brexit, but they do not replace travel insurance, which covers many extra risks and costs.
- You must only apply via the official NHS or GOV.UK website to avoid copycat or scam sites that charge unnecessary fees.
What is a GHIC or EHIC card?
A UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) and the older European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) are proof that you are entitled to state-funded or state-subsidised medical treatment in certain countries. If you become ill or you are injured while you are away, showing your card at a public hospital or health centre can allow you to be treated on the same terms as a resident of that country. In practice, that could mean free care, or it could mean paying a reduced, locally set charge instead of the full cost.
How GHIC and EHIC changed after Brexit
EHICs were introduced when the UK was part of the European Union and were widely used by British holidaymakers for many years. After Brexit, new arrangements were agreed and the UK launched the GHIC to replace the old EHIC for most people. If you still hold a valid EHIC, you can usually keep using it until the expiry date on the card, although it may not be accepted everywhere a GHIC is. When you come to renew, you will generally be given a GHIC instead, unless you qualify for a new UK EHIC under special rules such as the Withdrawal Agreement.
What an official GHIC or EHIC card looks like
When your application is approved, your card will be posted to you. An official GHIC is a plastic card without a photo that shows your name, an expiry date and a 10-character identifier made up of letters and numbers. These details are printed on the front, just under your personal information. Older EHICs look similar but use the previous EU style and branding. If the website you used is asking you for a fee or your card looks poor quality or home-printed, that is a red flag that you may not be dealing with the genuine scheme.
How to apply for a GHIC card
The simplest way for most UK residents to get a GHIC is to apply online through the official NHS or GOV.UK service. The process is free and fairly quick, and you should never pay a third party to do this for you. Some websites copy government branding and then add a processing fee on top, but they do not give you any extra protection or speed up your application, so it is always best to avoid them and go straight to the official service.
Details you will need to provide
To complete your GHIC application, you will usually need to enter a few basic personal details, including:
- your full name and date of birth
- your UK address
- your National Insurance number
- in some cases, your NHS number (or CHI number in Scotland)
If you are applying on behalf of your family, for example for children under 16, you can add them to your application as long as you have their information to hand. Each person gets their own separate card, so you should not share one card between family members.
Applying offline or if you need extra help
If you are not confident using online forms, you can usually apply by post or phone using the details given on the official NHS or GOV.UK pages. This can be particularly helpful for older relatives, people without internet access or those who need accessibility support. It may take longer by post, so factor this in if you have travel dates coming up.
How long a GHIC takes to arrive
Once you have submitted all the required information and your application has been approved, your GHIC should normally be posted to you within around 15 working days. Times can vary, especially near peak holiday seasons, so it is wise not to leave it until the last minute. If you are due to travel before your card arrives, you can contact NHS Overseas Healthcare Services to request a Provisional Replacement Certificate, often known as a PRC, which can act as temporary proof of entitlement if you need treatment while you are away.
How long a GHIC or EHIC stays valid
A GHIC is typically valid for five years from the date it is issued, and you will see the expiry date on the bottom right of the card. To avoid a last minute panic, you can renew your GHIC for free through the official website several months before it runs out. Existing EHICs can often still be used until they expire, but the countries where they are valid may be more limited, so it is important to check the latest information from the NHS before you travel. When your current card expires, you will usually receive a GHIC as standard.
Where you can use a GHIC or EHIC
For most UK travellers, the main benefit of a GHIC is that it works in all EU member states, including popular holiday destinations like Spain, France, Italy, Portugal and Greece, as well as smaller countries such as Malta and Cyprus. In Spain, for example, you could present your GHIC at a public health centre, known as a centro de salud, or at a state hospital if you need treatment. This can make a big difference to what you pay compared with being billed as an uninsured visitor.
Countries beyond the EU where GHICs can be used
As well as the EU, your GHIC can be used in various other places that have healthcare agreements with the UK. This currently includes:
- French overseas territories, such as Martinique, Mayotte, Guadeloupe, Reunion, French Guiana, Saint Martin and Corsica
- some non EU countries with reciprocal healthcare deals, including Australia, New Zealand, Jersey, Guernsey, the Isle of Man, Saint Helena, Ascension Island, Tristan da Cunha and Montenegro
- in certain situations, countries like Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, although eligibility can depend on your nationality and status
These agreements can evolve, so always check up to date guidance from the NHS or GOV.UK before you travel to confirm whether your destination is covered and what proof you will need to show at the point of treatment.
Places where a GHIC does not apply
There are some European microstates and popular destinations where GHICs are not valid for healthcare, including Monaco, San Marino and Vatican City. Another common point of confusion is Turkey, which is outside the scheme. If you travel to a country that is not covered by the GHIC or EHIC arrangements, you will need to rely entirely on travel insurance and your own funds for any healthcare you require.
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What does a GHIC or EHIC card cover?
Your GHIC or EHIC is designed to ensure you can access essential state healthcare on broadly the same terms as residents of the country you are visiting. It is there for medically necessary treatment, not for planned private procedures or medical tourism. Exactly what is covered varies between countries because each has its own rules and public healthcare system, but there are some common themes that apply in most cases.
Typical treatments your GHIC may help with
Depending on the country, your card can usually be used for:
- emergency treatment after an accident or sudden illness
- care that is medically necessary during your stay for pre existing or long term conditions
- routine maternity care, as long as you did not travel specifically to give birth abroad
- access to certain ongoing treatments, such as kidney dialysis or oxygen therapy, when pre arranged with local providers
Remember that if local residents pay co payments or user charges for certain services or prescriptions, you will normally have to pay the same amount. Your GHIC or EHIC will not cover those local contributions on your behalf.
What a GHIC does not cover
It is just as important to understand what your GHIC will not help with. The card does not cover:
- treatment in private hospitals or clinics that are not part of the state health system
- medical repatriation, such as the cost of an air ambulance or a medically escorted flight back to the UK
- non medical costs linked to an illness or accident, including extra accommodation, new flights or lost earnings
- search and rescue costs, for example after a skiing or hiking incident, if these are not part of the state system
Because of these gaps, relying only on a GHIC can leave you facing large bills if something goes wrong, particularly in countries where there is limited state provision or where the nearest available treatment is private.
How to use your GHIC or EHIC when you are abroad
If you fall ill or have an accident while you are away, the first step is to make sure you are being treated within the public healthcare system of the country you are visiting. When you arrive at a hospital, clinic or health centre, tell staff that you have a UK GHIC or EHIC and show them the card along with your passport. You may be asked to fill in some paperwork, so keep your travel documents and insurance details with you or easily to hand.
Practical tips when seeking treatment
In some countries, private and state funded care can be delivered in the same building, and the distinction is not always obvious. If you are unsure, ask clearly whether the provider is part of the public system and whether they accept GHIC or EHIC cards. If there is a choice, opting for a state facility can be far cheaper than going private. Keep all invoices, prescriptions and receipts, even if the card is accepted at the time, as you may need them if there is a query or if you need to claim a refund or use your travel insurance later.
What to do if your GHIC is refused
It is rare, but sometimes hospitals or clinics may say they cannot accept your card, even in countries where it should be valid. If this happens, first check that you are not being directed into private care by mistake. Stay calm and ask staff to explain why they will not use the GHIC. In an emergency, you may have little choice but to pay for treatment upfront. If you do, make sure you keep detailed receipts, medical notes and proof of payment. Once you are back home, you can contact NHS Overseas Healthcare Services to see if some or all of your costs can be refunded. If you are still abroad and unsure what to do, the local British Embassy or Consulate may be able to explain how the local system works and what your options are.
Do you still need travel insurance if you have a GHIC?
Even though a GHIC or EHIC can be extremely valuable, it is not designed to replace travel insurance. In many parts of Europe, state hospitals may be some distance away, and in a serious emergency you could be taken to the nearest available private facility, where your GHIC is useless and costs can be very high. Even where state care is available, you may still have to pay for consultations, diagnostic tests, equipment or overnight stays. Travel insurance is there to help with these kinds of situations and with many other problems that a health card cannot touch.
What travel insurance can cover that a GHIC cannot
A good travel insurance policy can fill in the financial gaps that GHIC leaves, such as:
- medical repatriation to bring you back to the UK if you cannot travel on a normal flight
- extra charges where state care is not fully free, including scans, medical equipment and hospital bed fees
- additional accommodation and transport costs if your trip is disrupted by illness, injury or other insured events
- cover for cancellations, delays, missed departures, lost passports and stolen or damaged baggage
For travellers on a budget, travel insurance can look like an extra cost, but compared with the potential price of overseas medical treatment or having to rearrange your holiday at short notice, it is often a very cost effective safety net.
Why this matters for UK travellers with medical conditions
If you live with a pre existing medical condition, a GHIC will not on its own guarantee that your condition is covered for private treatment, cancellations or emergencies. Many UK travel insurers now specialise in covering pre existing conditions, often for people of any age, and will ask a few medical questions to tailor cover to you. When you combine the state healthcare access your GHIC offers with a policy that properly covers your conditions, you are far better protected if something happens just before your trip or while you are away.
Saving money while staying protected
For many people in the UK, the main aim when buying travel cover is to keep costs down without leaving dangerous gaps. Using a GHIC or EHIC alongside well chosen travel insurance is one of the most effective ways to do this. If you are treated in the state system, your GHIC may reduce or remove many of the direct medical costs, and some insurers will waive the policy excess on related claims. This can mean you get the benefit of both systems working together, which is particularly useful if you are planning more than one trip a year or if you are travelling as a family.
Simple steps before you book
To get the best balance of protection and price:
- check your GHIC or EHIC expiry date and renew in good time if it is due to run out
- confirm that your destination is covered by the card scheme and whether any special rules apply
- shop around for travel insurance that covers your medical history, activities and trip value, not just the cheapest option
- read the policy wording so you understand any exclusions or conditions, especially for existing conditions or adventure sports
Taking a few minutes to do this before you book or at least before you travel can prevent nasty financial surprises later.
Summary: Do I need travel insurance with a GHIC/EHIC?
GHIC and EHIC cards remain an important part of travel planning for UK residents visiting Europe and certain other countries. They are completely free to obtain, last for several years and can significantly reduce what you pay for state healthcare if you fall ill or get injured while you are away. However, they have clear limits: they do not pay for private care, they do not fly you home if you are seriously unwell and they do not help if your trip is cancelled or your luggage goes missing. For most people, the smartest approach is to treat a GHIC or EHIC as a useful health back up and combine it with travel insurance that covers medical emergencies, repatriation, cancellations and baggage. That way, you get broad protection at a relatively low cost, which is exactly what most UK holidaymakers are looking for when they want to save money without taking unnecessary risks.
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