The Global Health Insurance Card, or GHIC, is a free and valuable companion to travel insurance for trips in Europe, but it is widely misunderstood. This guide explains the GHIC and the old EHIC in full: what they cover, what they do not, how to get one, and how they work alongside travel insurance.

What the GHIC is

The GHIC is a free card for UK residents that gives access to medically necessary, state-provided healthcare in participating European countries, at the same cost as a local resident, which is often free or reduced. It replaced the European Health Insurance Card, or EHIC, after Brexit. The card can save you a great deal if you fall ill or have an accident in a covered country, by letting you use the state healthcare system on the same terms as residents.

The GHIC and the old EHIC

The GHIC is the successor to the EHIC. If you still hold an EHIC, you can keep using it until the expiry date printed on it, after which you replace it with a free GHIC. There is no need to switch early. Both cards do essentially the same job of giving access to state healthcare abroad, so a valid EHIC remains useful until it runs out, at which point the GHIC takes over.

Which countries it covers

The GHIC covers the European Union countries and, for UK citizens, Switzerland. Its coverage of some other countries differs from the old EHIC, so the safest approach is always to check the current country list on the official NHS website before you travel. It does not cover non-European destinations such as the United States, Canada or Australia. Because the detail can change, the NHS list is the authoritative place to confirm where your card is valid.

What it covers

The GHIC covers medically necessary state healthcare, meaning treatment that cannot reasonably wait until you return home. This can include emergency treatment, care for the worsening of a pre-existing condition, and routine maternity care, as well as treatment for ongoing needs like dialysis or oxygen therapy if arranged in advance. The principle is that you are treated on the same basis as a local resident within that country's state healthcare system, for needs that arise while you are there.

What it does not cover

The GHIC has important limits. It does not cover repatriation, that is, the cost of bringing you home, which can be the largest expense of all. It does not cover private healthcare, treatment in countries outside its list, or non-medical costs like cancellation, lost baggage or delays. It also does not cover medical care on a cruise. For all of these, you need travel insurance, which is why the two go together.

It is free, so avoid fee-charging sites

The GHIC is completely free, and the only official way to apply is through the NHS website. Be wary of unofficial third-party sites that charge a fee to handle a GHIC application; they add no value, as the card costs nothing through the proper route. Always apply directly via the official NHS service, and allow time for the card to arrive, since it is not issued instantly and you will want it before you travel.

If your card is lost abroad

If your GHIC or EHIC is lost or stolen while you are abroad and you need treatment, you can usually obtain a Provisional Replacement Certificate, which gives the same entitlement temporarily. It helps to keep a note of your card details and the relevant contact number before travelling, so you can arrange this quickly if needed. That way, losing the physical card need not leave you without access to state healthcare during your trip.

It is not a substitute for travel insurance

The most important point is that the GHIC is not a replacement for travel insurance. It is a useful complement, reducing the cost of state treatment in Europe, but it leaves major gaps, above all repatriation, that only insurance covers, as our guide to worldwide versus European cover explains. The standard advice is to carry both on a European trip, so you are protected for everything the card does not cover.

Who can apply

The GHIC is for UK residents, and applying is free through the official NHS route. Most people now apply for a GHIC, though a small number of people, in particular circumstances, may still be entitled to an EHIC instead. If you are unsure which applies to you, the NHS website explains the eligibility rules. The key point is that the card is free to everyone entitled to it, so there is never a need to pay a third party.

Using it alongside your insurance

The GHIC works best as a companion to travel insurance rather than a substitute. On a European trip it can cut the cost of state treatment, while your insurance covers repatriation, private care and everything else. This pairing is valuable for all travellers and for older travellers in particular, who are more likely to need treatment, as our guide to travel insurance for the over-65s explains. Carry both, and you are far better protected.

Apply in good time

A GHIC is not usually issued instantly, so apply in good time before you travel rather than at the last minute. Allow a few weeks for it to arrive. If you have left it late and still hold a valid EHIC, you can use that until it expires. Planning ahead means the card is in your hand before departure, ready to give you access to state healthcare should you need it during your trip.

The key things to remember

A few points are worth holding onto about the GHIC. It is free, and only the NHS issues it, so you should never pay a third party for one. It gives access to state healthcare in the EU and Switzerland at local cost, but you should check the NHS country list, since coverage of some places has changed since the EHIC. It covers medically necessary treatment, including for pre-existing conditions, but not repatriation, private care or anything non-medical. And, most importantly, it is a companion to travel insurance, not a replacement, so always carry both on a European trip.

In short

The GHIC is a free card giving UK residents access to medically necessary state healthcare in the EU and Switzerland at local cost, replacing the EHIC, which stays valid until it expires. It covers emergency and necessary state treatment, including for pre-existing conditions, but not repatriation, private care, cancellation, baggage, cruises or non-European countries. Apply only through the NHS website, check the country list, and carry travel insurance alongside it.

Where to get help and next steps

Read worldwide versus European cover and the GHIC, see whether you need a policy in do you need travel insurance, and start with travel insurance explained. This is general information, not financial or medical advice.