Having an EHIC or GHIC is not considered to be any kind of substitute for travel insurance, as an individual must have both when on a trip. Those with any pre-existing medical issues must inform the insurance company of the same for coverage.
UK GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card)
After Brexit, the UK government has done away with issuing the EHIC and instead replaced it with the GHIC. It almost offers the same coverage as the earlier card with a few exclusions.
EHIC (European Health Insurance Card)
The UK government and EU came to an agreement on healthcare services for UK nationals when visiting the European Union. Those with a valid EHIC can continue to use the card in the EU. Those that do not have a card can apply for a provisional replacement card (PRC) for emergency medical healthcare.
Those applying for a medical card in the UK are now being issued the GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card) that has replaced the EHIC. Those that have an EHIC need not apply for a GHIC to use in the EU if there is still a validity period left on the EHIC.
Getting a UK EHIC
Despite GHIC, there are certain groups of individuals that are eligible for a UK EHIC for use in any EU country, including Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Iceland and Norway.
Those that can apply for a new EHIC card are:
Any national from an EU country, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Iceland and Norway that was living in the UK before January 01, 2021.
British expats including pensioners that are living in the EU, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Iceland and Norway before January 01, 2021.
UK students that study and reside in the EU, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Iceland and Norway before January 01, 2021.
Plan to visit Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Iceland, and Norway
Those that intend to visit any of the following nations – Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Iceland or Norway should get both healthcare and travel insurance before the trip. It should include any pre-existing medical issues that would have been covered earlier by the EHIC.
UK nationals on a trip to Norway can use their UK passport for emergency medical treatment as well as any pre-existing medical issue.
Before traveling to the EU, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Iceland, and Norway
Traveling abroad, especially with the family, makes it necessary to ensure that everyone has proper health coverage in the event of any kind of medical emergency, specially if you are on allied travel careers. Some of the things to do before the trip which are taught in first aid training for nurseries are:
- Get adequate travel insurance to cover the duration of the trip.
- Always look out for the latest health advisory issued by the Foreign Office regarding travel abroad to any country you intend to visit.
- Confirm if any kind of vaccination is required a minimum of 6 weeks before the actual date of the trip.
- Make sure to take enough prescription medication that may be needed and also keep a copy of the prescription handy.
- If there are any medical documents relating to any specific health condition take them along on the trip as they might be needed by the hospital or doctor for treatment in case of any emergency.
- When visiting with kids consult your GP or healthcare service provider for any medical needs that the children might have or any kind of immunisation that may be required.