The UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC)

The UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) came into effect in January 2021 as a partial replacement for the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).

Initially introduced within the European Union in 2004, replacing the E11 card in 2005, the EHIC card's existence and the advantages it offers remain unknown to many. The GHIC card, issued by the NHS Business Services Authority on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions, is crucial for proving eligibility for healthcare services while traveling to specific European countries.

Individuals in the UK with an expired EHIC card must now switch to a GHIC health card.

In 2017 alone, nearly 3 million people allowed their EHIC card to expire without renewal, resulting in many individuals not possessing the new UK Global Health Insurance Card. In fact, since the end of 2014, over 9 million cards have expired without being renewed, indicating a lack of understanding among millions of people in the UK regarding the benefits offered by the new GHIC. Here, you can discover all the necessary information for obtaining your global health card and submitting your GHIC card application.

Your UK GHIC Renewal is valid in these countries

Austria
Belgium
Bulgaria
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Ireland
Italy
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Netherlands (Holland)
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Switzerland

What is the UK GHIC Card?

The renewal of your GHIC card is specifically designed to grant you coverage for medical treatments while you are visiting EU countries. The treatment you receive will be on par with that provided to residents of the country you are in, either at a reduced cost or even free of charge. Therefore, if the country you are visiting offers free healthcare, you will also have access to free treatment with a renewed UK GHIC card. Generally, the key advantages of the card include:

More affordable or free medical treatment.
Availability to all UK residents.
Potential reduction in the cost of single and multi-trip travel insurance.

Although the GHIC card is primarily an EU health card, it is currently not valid in Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway. However, negotiations are underway between the UK and these countries, and they may become eligible in the future. In total, there are 31 European countries participating in EHIC and GHIC. Certain countries within Europe do not accept the EU card, including:

The Isle of Man.
The Channel Islands.
Guernsey, Alderney, and Sark.
Monaco.
San Marino.
The Vatican.

You may have heard various name variations for the card, such as E11 card, E111 card renewal, or EHIC replacement, but its official name is GHIC renewal. Applying for a GHIC card renewal is completely free of charge, and you can submit your application through the GHIC website. As of February 2019, the UK has issued a total of 27 million GHIC cards.

What does a ghic card cover?

The UK GHIC card offers coverage for emergency medical treatment in case of accidents, sudden illnesses, and any necessary healthcare that cannot be delayed until returning to the UK. This includes long-term conditions like oxygen therapy and kidney dialysis. The purpose of the GHIC is to enable individuals to continue their visit without having to go back to their home country for medical care. It may be necessary to pre-arrange certain treatments with a healthcare provider in the European country you are visiting. Before traveling, it is important to review the relevant country's information regarding accessing treatment.

It's important to note that the GHIC will not provide coverage for individuals who are already aware that they will require medical treatment while visiting another country. Similarly, it will not cover treatments that can wait until the person returns to their home country. Some services may require payment as not all state healthcare within the EU and Switzerland is free like it is with the NHS. It is advisable to check the information specific to the country you are visiting to have a clear understanding of the situation.

The NHS GHIC card includes coverage for routine maternity appointments. However, if you plan to give birth in another EU country, you will need to complete a Giving Birth Abroad form, which can be found on the NHS website. In the case of unexpected childbirth, the GHIC will cover the necessary treatment expenses for both the mother and the baby, as long as it is related to the birth of the child.