The European Health Insurance Card simplifies access to health insurance abroad during temporary visits abroad for people from the European Union’s 27 Member States plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
Benefits of the Card
The card provides holders with the following benefits:
• Access to public sector health care (e.g. a doctor, a pharmacy, a hospital or a health care centre) as nationals of the country you are visiting
• In case you need to receive medical attention in a country that charges for health care, you will be reimbursed either immediately, or after you return to your home country.
The card does not cover health care costs abroad if you are travelling in order to obtain treatment for an illness or injury that you had before travelling. It also does not cover you for private sector health care providers. In that case, you will need to find expatriate health insurance.
You will be reimbursed depending on the legislation of your home country. In case you have to pay up-front, the card will guarantee that you will be reimbursed in that country. If you were not able complete the reimbursement procedure then you will receive the money from your local authority soon after you return to your home country. Health care is provided in accordance with the legislation of the country that you are visiting. If you have any doubts about what health care and which costs your card covers you for, you can contact that country’s health authority.
Elgibility
To be eligible for the European Health Insurance card, you must be insured by or covered by a state social security system in any Member State of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland. Every family member must have his/her own card.
Nationals from non EU countries who are resident in one of the EU Member States and are covered by a state social security scheme are also eligible for a card. However, non EU nationals cannot use their EHIC for medical treatment in Denmark.
Where to Apply
Every EU nation is responsible for production and distribution of the EHIC card in its own territory. You will be able to obtain a card by contacting your local health authority.
Validity
The validity period of the card varies from one country to another and is best to check when you contact your local health authority where you have obtained the card.
Emergency
The EHIC card can be used to get easier access to medical treatment abroad but it has nothing to do with repatriation. It will not help transport you back home free of charge if you fall seriously ill or suffer a serious accident, in which case you will need separate insurance cover.
Traveling Without the Card
If you forget your card and happen to travel abroad you will still receive the treatment necessary to enable you to continue your holiday without having to return to your home country for treatment. Carrying the card with you will make it easier for you to access free medical care on the spot or for you to be reimbursed in case you have to pay up front. That is the reason why you need to carry your card when you travel to another Member State of the European Economic Area or Switzerland, whether for private or professional reasons.
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