What is a GHIC card?
Key Takeaways
A GHIC gives eligible UK residents access to medically necessary state healthcare abroad on the same terms as people who live there
The GHIC replaced the old EHIC for most UK residents, although some people protected by the Withdrawal Agreement can still qualify for a new UK EHIC
A GHIC does not cover private healthcare, planned treatment abroad, medical repatriation or ski and mountain rescue, so you should still have travel insurance
What is a GHIC?
A GHIC is a free card that gives eligible UK residents access to medically necessary state healthcare when visiting the European Economic Area (EEA) and certain other countries.
You'll receive treatment on the same basis as someone who lives in the country - this means healthcare may be free, but you could still have to pay if local residents normally contribute towards the cost.
Medically necessary healthcare means treatment that can't reasonably wait until you return to the UK - the healthcare provider treating you decides whether your treatment meets this definition.
What's the difference between a GHIC and an EHIC?
The GHIC replaced the old European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for most UK residents after Brexit.
GHIC | EHIC |
|---|---|
The card most eligible UK residents now apply for | The old mainstream UK scheme that has been replaced by the GHIC |
Can be used in the EEA and certain other destinations | Existing legacy EHICs can only be used until their expiry date |
Free and valid for up to five years | A new UK EHIC is now only available to certain eligible groups |
Available through the NHS | New UK EHIC eligibility is mainly linked to rights protected by the Withdrawal Agreement |
If you still have an old EHIC that has not expired, NHS guidance says you can continue using it until the expiry date shown on the card - most people will then need to replace it with a GHIC.
A limited number of people with rights protected by the Withdrawal Agreement can still apply for a new UK EHIC instead.
What healthcare does a GHIC cover?
A GHIC covers medically necessary treatment provided through the healthcare system of the country you're in during a temporary stay, such as:
Emergency medical treatment
Visits to Accident and Emergency (A&E)
Treatment for an illness or injury that develops during your trip
Medically necessary treatment for a long-term or pre-existing condition
Routine maternity care, provided you have not travelled abroad specifically to give birth
Some pre-arranged ongoing treatments, such as dialysis or chemotherapy
Some specialist treatments need to be arranged with a healthcare provider before you travel because availability cannot be guaranteed.
Can a GHIC cover my pre-existing medical condition?
Yes, medically necessary treatment for a pre-existing or long-term condition can be covered by a GHIC.
Your condition does not need to have started during your holiday. What matters more is whether the healthcare you need cannot reasonably wait until you return to the UK.
However, a GHIC will not cover costs such as medical repatriation or private treatment, so you should still take out a good level of travel insurance and declare any medical conditions the insurer asks about.
What medical treatment doesn't a GHIC cover?
A GHIC doesn't provide comprehensive medical insurance, and some healthcare and emergency costs are outside the scheme altogether.
Private medical treatment
A GHIC only applies to eligible state-provided healthcare, it doesn't pay for treatment at a private hospital or clinic.
If you need treatment abroad, make sure the hospital, clinic or doctor is part of the state healthcare system before relying on your GHIC.
This is worth checking even in an emergency, particularly in tourist areas where you may be directed towards a private provider.
Planned medical treatment abroad
You can't use a GHIC to travel abroad specifically to receive planned medical treatment.
The card is designed for healthcare that becomes medically necessary during a temporary stay and cannot reasonably wait until you return to the UK.
Separate NHS arrangements can apply if you're travelling abroad specifically for planned treatment.
Travelling abroad specifically to give birth
Routine maternity care that becomes necessary during a trip can be covered, but a GHIC doesn't cover travelling abroad specifically to give birth.
Medical repatriation
A GHIC won't pay to transport you back to the UK if you become seriously ill or injured abroad. Medical repatriation can be extremely expensive, which is one reason a GHIC should be used alongside suitable travel insurance.
Ski and mountain rescue
A GHIC won't cover ski or mountain rescue costs. If you're going skiing, hiking, climbing or taking part in other activities where rescue could be needed, check that your travel insurance includes the activity and right level of rescue cover.
Treatment that can wait until you return home
A GHIC only covers healthcare considered medically necessary during your stay. If treatment can reasonably wait until you return to the UK, it will not qualify simply because it is available through the local state health service.
The healthcare provider treating you decides whether treatment is medically necessary.
Will healthcare be free if I have a GHIC?
Not necessarily - a GHIC gives you access to eligible state healthcare on the same terms as a resident of the country you're visiting. This means you might still need to pay:
Prescription charges
Patient contributions or co-payments
Part of the cost of treatment
Other charges that local residents also have to pay
You might sometimes be required to pay for eligible treatment upfront and apply for a refund afterwards.
However, a patient contribution that local residents have to pay can't normally be reclaimed through your GHIC.
What this means in practice for the GHIC
Treatment or cost | Does my GHIC help? | Could I still have to pay? |
|---|---|---|
Emergency state healthcare | Yes | Possibly, if local residents pay |
Necessary treatment for a pre-existing condition | Yes | Possibly |
Routine maternity care during a trip | Yes | Possibly |
Pre-arranged dialysis or chemotherapy | Can do, if arranged and available | Possibly |
Private medical treatment | No | Yes |
Planned treatment abroad | No | Yes, unless another funding arrangement applies |
Medical repatriation to the UK | No | Yes |
Ski or mountain rescue | No | Yes |
Always check the healthcare system for your destination before travelling, as charges and access arrangements vary between countries.
Where can I use a GHIC?
You can currently use a UK GHIC in the European Economic Area (EEA) and several other destinations. The EEA includes all EU countries plus:
Liechtenstein
Norway
A GHIC can also currently be used in:
Montenegro
Jersey
Guernsey
the Isle of Man
St Helena
Tristan da Cunha
Ascension Island
You may also be able to use your GHIC in Switzerlandif you meet certain nationality or status requirements.
Healthcare arrangements can change, so be sure to check the latest NHS and Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office information for your destination before travelling.
Do I still need travel insurance if I have a GHIC?
Yes, a GHIC isn't a replacement for travel insurance. Your GHIC is primarily there to help you access medically necessary state healthcare.
Travel insurance can provide much wider protection, depending on the policy you take out.
GHIC | Travel insurance |
|---|---|
Medically necessary state healthcare | Emergency medical costs covered by your policy |
Treatment on the same terms as local residents | Medical repatriation |
Some treatment for pre-existing conditions | Cancellation or cutting your trip short |
Routine maternity care during a trip | Lost or stolen belongings |
Some pre-arranged ongoing treatment | Delays and travel disruption |
Private medical treatment where covered by your policy |
Having a GHIC can reduce some healthcare costs abroad, but it won't help with many of the other expensive problems that can happen during a trip.
How do I apply for a GHIC?
You can apply for a GHIC for free through the official NHS service - you'll normally need to provide your:
Full name
Home address
Date of birth
National Insurance number
Health and Care number if you're from Northern Ireland
Every member of your family needs their own card, although you can add your spouse, civil partner and children when completing your application.
A GHIC is valid for up to five years, and you can apply for a new card up to nine months before your current card expires.
Once your application has been approved, the NHS says your card should normally arrive within 15 working days. The GHIC itself is free, so steer clear of any unofficial application websites that charge a fee.
Who can apply for a GHIC?
You can usually get a GHIC if you're ordinarily and legally resident in the UK and your healthcare is not provided by an EEA country or Switzerland.
Some people living outside the UK can also qualify in particular circumstances, including certain people with an S1 form or A1 document.
If your situation is unusual, you should check your eligibility through the official NHS application service rather than assuming you qualify.
What if my GHIC hasn't arrived before I travel?
You can still travel if your GHIC has not arrived, and if you need medically necessary treatment abroad and your card is missing or has not arrived yet, you can apply for a Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC).
A PRC provides the same level of healthcare entitlement as a GHIC.
You don't need to apply for a PRC just because you're about to travel - it's available if you need treatment while abroad and can't show your card.
What should I do if my GHIC isn't accepted?
If your GHIC isn't accepted, check that you're receiving treatment through the state healthcare system rather than a private provider. If you believe you should be covered:
Show your GHIC or Provisional Replacement Certificate
Keep receipts, invoices and treatment records
Keep evidence showing that the healthcare provider is part of the state system
Contact NHS Overseas Healthcare Services if you think you've been charged incorrectly
Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to apply for reimbursement for certain state healthcare costs.
Frequently asked questions
Can I still use an old EHIC?
You can use an old UK-issued EHIC until the expiry date printed on the card - once it expires, most UK residents will need to apply for a GHIC instead. The GHIC has replaced the old EHIC as the standard healthcare card for most people in the UK.
Can I still apply for a new EHIC?
Most UK residents cannot apply for an EHIC under the old mainstream scheme and should apply for a GHIC instead.
However, some people whose healthcare rights are protected under the Withdrawal Agreement can still qualify for a new UK EHIC.
This includes certain people who were already living or working across the UK, EEA or Switzerland before 1 January 2021.
Check the NHS eligibility rules if you think this may apply to you.
Does every member of my family need a GHIC?
Yes, every person needs their own GHIC, including children. You can include your spouse, civil partner and children when completing your application, but the NHS will issue a separate card for each eligible family member.
Does a GHIC cover dental treatment?
It can cover dental treatment if it is part of the state healthcare system and is considered medically necessary during your stay.
Whether you have to pay will depend on the rules in the country you're visiting. If local residents pay towards dental treatment, you can be charged on the same basis.
Routine or planned dental treatment that can reasonably wait until you return to the UK won't usually come under GHIC's medically necessary healthcare rules.
Does a GHIC cover prescriptions?
A GHIC can give you access to prescriptions through the state healthcare system if they're part of medically necessary treatment.
However, prescriptions are not necessarily free. If residents of the country have to pay prescription charges or a patient contribution, you can be charged the same amount.
If you take regular medication, make sure you have enough for your trip where possible and check any local rules for taking medication into your destination.
Can I use a GHIC if I'm pregnant?
Yes, a GHIC can cover medically necessary healthcare relating to pregnancy, including routine maternity care, while you're temporarily abroad.
However, it does not cover travelling to another country specifically to give birth.
Travel insurance may provide additional protection for pregnancy-related cancellation or emergency costs, depending on your policy and stage of pregnancy.
Does a GHIC cover an ambulance?
It depends on the healthcare system in the country you're visiting - if ambulance services form part of medically necessary state healthcare, GHIC rules should apply.
However, local charges can still be payable if residents are also expected to pay them.
A GHIC does not cover separate rescue services such as ski or mountain rescue - be sure to check the NHS healthcare guidance for your destination before travelling.
Can I use my GHIC outside Europe?
Yes, in some destinations - as well as the EEA, the NHS currently says UK GHICs can be used in Montenegro, Australia, Jersey, Guernsey, the Isle of Man, St Helena, Tristan da Cunha and Ascension Island.
Eligibility rules also allow some GHIC holders to use their card in Switzerland.
Other countries might have separate reciprocal healthcare agreements with the UK, so always check before you travel.
What happens if I lose my GHIC abroad?
You can apply for a Provisional Replacement Certificate if you need medically necessary healthcare and don't have your GHIC with you. The PRC gives you the same level of cover as the physical card.
Author
Mehdi Punjwani
Insurance specialist
Mehdi is a financial writer and editor with over six years of experience in personal finance. He has written for organisations and publications including Equifax, The AA, and USAToday, covering a...
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Sarah Tooze
Car & Van Insurance Expert
Sarah Tooze has been a motoring journalist for more than 15 years, specialising in company cars and vans, and has won a number of awards during her career, including the Newspress ‘Automotive...
