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Important advice issued to Brits travelling abroad with an EHIC this year

If you're planning on going on holiday with your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) in your wallet, you may want to make one very crucial check before you fly

[A pair of man's hands checks his travel documents and the time on his wristwatch. In the background is a large, out of focus, electronic departures board.]

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There's one check you'll want to make to your travel documents this year (stock photo)(Image: Laurence Dutton via Getty Images)

Brits travelling with a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) this year must make one very important check before heading on holiday, or you could risk ruining your trip.

In the UK, going on holiday to Europe often involves making sure you've got your EHIC with you, as this can help you access necessary state-provided healthcare if you need it during your stay. If you regularly travel to countries where the EHIC is valid - which includes the European Union (EU), Switzerland, and select European countries - then you might not think twice before putting it in your wallet for your next trip. But experts online are warning everyone to make one vital check this year.

The EHIC is the standard medical card for those living within the European Economic Area (EEA). But when the UK left the EU, our EHIC was replaced by a Global Health Insurance Card, or GHIC.

EHICs remain valid until their expiry date, but once they expire, Brits must switch to a GHIC card, and their existing EHIC will no longer be recognised. This is affecting people this year because EHIC cards are valid for five years and stopped being issued after 2021 meaning everyone with a valid EHIC should be due for a replacement this year.

Victoria, a travel expert, said in a video on Instagram: "This is the old EHIC card that used to entitle you to state medical insurance when you were travelling around Europe. They were last issued in 2021 and were valid for five years. We're now in 2026, so nobody's is valid any more."

Your EHIC card may still be valid for a few months if it was issued in late 2021, but if you still have an EHIC, it will likely expire at some point this year, so you should consider replacing it before you travel.

Getting a new GHIC card is easy, and it won't cost you anything. All you have to do is apply for a card through the official NHS website, and you'll be able to use it for healthcare services within the EEA, as well as Montenegro, Australia, Jersey, Guernsey, and the Isle of Man, and Switzerland.

Much like the original EHIC, a GHIC card is valid for five years before it needs to be replaced. While a GHIC covers you in the event of needing emergency treatment or needing routine medical care for long-term or pre-existing medical conditions, it does not cover things like ski or mountain rescue, being flown back to the UK for treatment, or private medical treatment.

For this reason, it's strongly advised that you still take out private travel and medical insurance before you travel, on top of bringing your GHIC with you, as this will give you the most cover if something were to happen.

Victoria added in the caption of her video: "It's one of those little holiday checks that's easy to forget, but it could make a big difference if you need medical treatment while you're away."

Commenters on her video were thankful for the reminder, as many said they had no idea their card could be expiring this year and would need to check it before they head on holiday.

One person said: "These tips are so good! Recommending to my friends." And another added: "Thank you. Just got mine!"

You can apply for a UK GHIC on the NHS website, as long as you're a resident in the UK. In order to apply for a card online, you will need to provide your:

• Full name
• Address
• Date of birth
• National Insurance number
• Health and Care number (if you're from Northern Ireland)

What does a UK GHIC cover?

You can use a UK GHIC (or a valid UK EHIC) to get state healthcare that cannot reasonably wait until you come back to the UK, also known as medically necessary healthcare. This can include:

• Emergency treatment and visits to A&E
• Treatment or routine medical care for long-term or pre-existing medical conditions
• Routine maternity care, as long as you're not going abroad to give birth

Not all state healthcare is free outside of the UK, and having a GHIC does not entitle you to free healthcare. You may have to pay for treatment if a local resident would be expected to pay in the country you're visiting - even if it would normally be free on the NHS.

What does a UK GHIC not cover?

A GHIC or EHIC does not replace travel and medical insurance, and will not cover services like:

• Being flown back to the UK (medical repatriation)
• Treatment in a private medical facility
• Ski or mountain rescue

You should still take out comprehensive cover before your holiday, alongside making sure you have your GHIC or EHIC.

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