Little-known card that helps with medical bills abroad – how to apply for free

If you’re getting on a plane this year, the NHS is urging people to apply for a card that allows you to get free or discounted healthcare.

The UK Global Health Insurance Card, commonly known as the GHIC, allows people traveling abroad to access necessary government-provided healthcare in the European Economic Area (EEA) and certain other countries on the same terms as residents of these countries. This healthcare can be provided free of charge or at a cost equivalent to that paid by local residents.

According to the NHS, the UK GHIC has replaced the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). If you hold an EHIC, there’s no need to worry. It is reported that you can still use it until the card expires.

Once it expires you will need to apply for a UK GHIC as a replacement. You are eligible to apply for a new card up to nine months before your current card expires.

The latest UK GHIC is free to apply and lasts for up to five years. So how can you get one before you get on the plane? Here’s what you need to know.

How can I request a GHIC?

You can apply for a card through the NHS website here. The health service warns that you should avoid unofficial websites as some may charge you a fee to apply.

Who can apply for a GHIC?

You can apply for a UK GHIC if you are a UK resident. Additionally, you can add family to your application when you apply.

When you apply, you will need to provide:

• full name
• approach
• date of birth
• national insurance number
• Health and Care Number (if you are from Northern Ireland)

If I have a GHIC, do I need travel insurance?

The NHS warns that the UK GHIC is not a substitute for travel insurance. It is recommended that you obtain private travel and medical insurance for the duration of your trip.

What does my card cover?

The NHS says: “You can use the card to get state healthcare that cannot reasonably wait until you return to the UK (sometimes called ‘medically necessary healthcare’)”.

This includes things like:

• emergency treatment and A&E visits
• routine medical treatment or care for long-term or pre-existing medical conditions
• routine maternity care, as long as you don’t go abroad to give birth

If, for example, you need kidney dialysis or chemotherapy, you may need to arrange this in advance as it is not guaranteed that you will be able to do this. They warn: “Whether treatment is medically necessary is decided by the healthcare provider in the country you are visiting.”

They add: “Not all state healthcare is free outside the UK. You may have to pay for treatment that you would get for free on the NHS if a local resident is expected to pay in the country you are visiting. Before traveling, you should check the government-provided healthcare services of the country you are visiting and any fees you may face.”

What doesn’t my card cover?

The UK GHIC (or UK EHIC) does not replace travel and medical insurance and does not cover services such as:

• transported back to the UK (medical repatriation)
• treatment in a private medical facility
• skiing or mountain rescue

Where can I use my card?

You can use a UK GHIC when you visit:

You can use a UK GHIC in Switzerland if you are one of the following:

• a British citizen
• a Swiss citizen
• an EU citizen
• a refugee
• a stateless person
• a family member of someone who holds one of the above nationalities or statuses

To find out where else you can use it and your eligibility, visit the NHS website here.