EHIC gives card holders the right to access state-provided healthcare on temporary stays in other European Economic Area (EEA) countries or Switzerland. Treatment should be provided on the same basis as it would be to a resident of that country and is provided either at reduced cost or, in many cases, for free. The EHIC covers treatment that is medically necessary until the card holder returns home. This includes treatment for pre-existing medical conditions.
There’s a phone app too!
This comes up from time to time but I was listening to the radio the other day and got reminded so thought I would remind folks here too. Definitely something everyone travelling in the EU should have. I've not seen a post for this in a few months at least, I'd forgotten about it at any rate and my own expired years ago.
Also worth just getting yours now before Brexit as although the U.K and E.U seem to agree on keeping the status quo I feel more comfortable getting mine renewed now.
You can also apply for your family too so while you're at it get one for your mother's daughter's brother's sisters
Applying is easy, register and just go through the steps. If you lost yours and have one then getting a replacement is fairly straight forward too.
I will keep mine taped into my passport so I don't forget to take it with me if I travel to the EU.
In the news:
BBC thought Status Quo in Sept '17 | Metro saying not so sure in March '18
Wouldn't be surprised if existing card holders were ok but at some point they stopped allowing applications, perhaps that's pessimistic.
There’s a phone app too!
This comes up from time to time but I was listening to the radio the other day and got reminded so thought I would remind folks here too. Definitely something everyone travelling in the EU should have. I've not seen a post for this in a few months at least, I'd forgotten about it at any rate and my own expired years ago.
Also worth just getting yours now before Brexit as although the U.K and E.U seem to agree on keeping the status quo I feel more comfortable getting mine renewed now.
You can also apply for your family too so while you're at it get one for your mother's daughter's brother's sisters
Applying is easy, register and just go through the steps. If you lost yours and have one then getting a replacement is fairly straight forward too.
I will keep mine taped into my passport so I don't forget to take it with me if I travel to the EU.
In the news:
BBC thought Status Quo in Sept '17 | Metro saying not so sure in March '18
Wouldn't be surprised if existing card holders were ok but at some point they stopped allowing applications, perhaps that's pessimistic.
Also there is a phone app!
"How long does the EHIC take to arrive and what should I do if I am leaving the UK before it arrives? Your EHIC card will normally arrive within 10 working days if you apply by phone or using the official EHIC website. If you apply by post, your card will normally arrive 10 working days after we receive your application. We are unable to send your card to you any sooner than this.
If you live outside the UK, the arrival time may vary depending on the postal service of the country you live in.
If you are travelling before your card is due to arrive, you would need to take the Department for Work and Pensions Overseas Healthcare Team (DWP OHT) telephone number with you.
Click here to view the EHIC leaflet available on the Department of Health and Social Care website which includes useful information for when you are abroad.
If you require treatment when you are overseas and you do not have your card to show, you or someone responsible for you can call the DWP OHT to advise of your situation, you will need to provide them with your NHS number or National Insurance number. If applicable, they will email a Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC) directly to health care provider you are at, to prove that you are covered by the scheme.
If there is no email address provided for the hospital, the Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC) will be sent via fax.
DWP OHT telephone number: 0044 191 218 1999 (Option 1)"
Thanks
And another "also"......... this does not replace travel insurance and some travel insurance may not cover you if you don't have an EHIC
Also there is a phone app!
well we won't know till the final Brexit deal but at least till 2020 is the status quo is maintained.
I believe it covered 80% of the cost.
Also I would use a company like red pennant especially for touring with a caravan or camping abroad. Their service is superb.
Absolutely correct. However when I went to a GP Surgery in Ireland (which has a Private healthcare system) they snapped it up. I didnt get any sort of bill on return so im guessing it was all covered. In Europe there will e a tendency to direct you to private Hospitals from what ive read so be careful.
There is a list of other Countries with reciprocal healthcare arrangements (including Australia) here :- nhs.uk/NHS…spx
Good point, cheers.
Correct, it basically entitles you to the same medical treatment as a resident would get in the country you're visiting, It's definitely NOT a substitute for travel insurance so if you were to die abroad or need repatriating back to the UK you would be screwed without travel insurance.
It came up in Deals for me.
Anyhow, it gets posted every other week. I'm getting bored of seeing it now.
Free upvotes.
Yep, my concern is that it won’t be post Brexit.
Yeah, it’s really amazing. Going by comments on here from some a lot of people know about it due to being posted so frequently. Which on the one hand is a bad thing but on the other I would rather know this than the free PlayStation games this month.
If you are in a European Economic Area country or Switzerland and need medical attention you will have to apply for a Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC). Someone else can also do this on your behalf. This will give you the same cover as an EHIC until you return home.
Simply phone the Overseas Healthcare Team on +44 (0)191 218 1999, Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm. If you need to request a PRC outside these hours, call as soon you can on the next working day.
When calling for a PRC, you'll need to provide your:
It's in the interest of both the EU and the UK to maintain such reciprocal arrangements. There is no reason to suggest that this will be discontinued or if so, an equivalent arrangement made.
Relax.
Unfortunately, most EU countries charge the NHS for any medical treatment whereas we dont charge them for treating their citizens !
news.sky.com/sto…381
Very true. Seems to put on less than every 2 months.
Jan 30th hotukdeals.com/dea…298
Dec 9th hotukdeals.com/dea…236
Perhaps we should post car tax reminders for the entire population too
Terrible analogy
No it's not. Thanks for your contribution though.
Of course, normally common sense prevails, thankfully. Occasionally it is the most prudent thing to exercise your rights whilst you have them, I hate kicking myself for complacency!
Perhaps you should sign up for the free reminders you can get for road tax. This service has no free reminder although perhaps if you have the app there is a notification about it, I wouldn't know.
Incidentally it is hard to prove you are a citizen of the U.K for a lot of people. For instance, I believe people born in Northern Ireland are entitled to a Republic of Ireland passport and therefore a lot of people have that and not the United Kingdom of Britain and Northern Ireland passport (the one in the background of the pic in the thread header). Therefore, proving you are a British citizen to someone in Belgium (especially when you're in pain!) could be problematic - so it's a really good point that you've made about the card.
Also I think the card entitles you to the health provisions under the terms imposed on you in your home country, which for us is great obviously but I expect there are various systems around Europe.
Anyway your experience is totally valid and worth mentioning to people.
Oh my, that's awful, I'm sorry to hear it. Thanks for sharing your story. I planned on taping it inside my passport and now I'm doubly sure that's what I'll do.
The UK government will make sure to continue to tax you for this service, to keep this, " I treat yours, you treat ours".
Perhaps you could just set a reminder in your diary to check the validity of your card... Or is it everyone else's responsibility to remind you?
Cheers for sharing, those other threads have lots of good information in them if anyone wants to browse! Really glad you pointed them out, good job Xenophon.
Main post on December one mentions what's covered and what's not covered
hotukdeals.com/dea…236
Main post in January one covers how to apply
hotukdeals.com/dea…298
Good job by those members sharing that extra info which I didn't think to share here because the information is readily available through the NHS website too - but if folk are used to reading and commenting here then perhaps they'd prefer that and the comments in those threads.