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The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)  

  • Last modified date:
    26 May 2009

A new EU-wide European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) was introduced in 2005, so that EU citizens can prove their entitlement to free or reduced-cost emergency medical treatment during stays in other EU countries.

The EHIC replaces the previous E-forms, in particular the E111, being adopted in the UK on 1 September 2005.

Applications for the EHIC can be made via one of the following:

  • online at www.dh.gov.uk/travellers (delivery within 7 days)
  • telephone on 0845 606 2030 (delivery within 10 days)
  • post - application form available from the Post Office (delivery within 21 days).

We recommend that you have private insurance as well as the EHIC, as the card does not cover all medical costs (eg repatriation).

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