Guidance and support<\/p>\n
Part of
\nTravel abroad: step by step
\nGuidance
\nHealthcare for UK nationals visiting the EU
\nHow to get state healthcare when you\u2019re on holiday or travelling to a country in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland.<\/p>\n
From:
\nDepartment of Health and Social Care and Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
\nPublished
\n28 January 2019
\nLast updated
\n12 February 2021 \u2014 See all updates
\nContents
\nCoronavirus (COVID-19) travel advice
\nApply for a GHIC
\nVisiting Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland
\nUsing your EHIC or GHIC
\nTravelling with a health condition
\nTravelling to have planned treatment<\/p>\n
Coronavirus (COVID-19) travel advice
\nSee the latest health advice for UK travellers following the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19).<\/p>\n
This information is about visiting the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland. There\u2019s different guidance for healthcare if you\u2019re:<\/p>\n
visiting Spain
\nvisiting Ireland
\ngoing to live, study or work in the EU
\nWhen you travel to an EU country you should have either:<\/p>\n
a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
\na UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC)
\ntravel insurance with healthcare cover
\nAn EHIC or GHIC is not a replacement for travel insurance. Make sure you have both before you travel.<\/p>\n
Each healthcare system is different, and in some countries you\u2019ll need to pay to have treatment.<\/p>\n
Apply for a GHIC
\nA GHIC lets you get medically necessary state healthcare in Europe at a reduced cost or sometimes for free.<\/p>\n
If your EHIC is still in date, you do not need to apply for a new GHIC.<\/p>\n
They\u2019re both valid if you\u2019re travelling to an EU country.<\/p>\n
Apply for a GHIC for free on the NHS website.<\/p>\n
Visiting Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland
\nYou can use a UK passport to get medically necessary healthcare in Norway.<\/p>\n
GHICs and most UK EHICs are not valid in Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland. Make sure you take out travel insurance with medical cover for your trip.<\/p>\n
You may not have access to free emergency medical treatment and could be charged for your healthcare if you do not get health cover with your travel insurance.<\/p>\n
Visits that started in 2020 and end in 2021
\nIf you started your visit to Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland before 1 January 2021, your UK EHIC entitlements will continue until you leave that country.<\/p>\n
Who can use a UK-issued EHIC
\nSome people can get a new UK-issued EHIC which is valid for visits to Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland.<\/p>\n
You\u2019ll be able to apply if you\u2019re:<\/p>\n
an EU, Norwegian, Icelandic, Liechtenstein or Swiss national, and started living in the UK before 1 January 2021
\nreceiving a UK State Pension or some other \u2018exportable benefits\u2019, and started living in the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland before 1 January 2021
\na \u2018frontier worker\u2019 (someone who works in one state and lives in another), and started being one before 1 January 2021, for as long as you continue to be a frontier worker in the host state
\nan eligible family member or dependant of one of the above
\nApply now for your new UK EHIC on the NHS website.<\/p>\n
UK students using an EHIC
\nIf you started living and studying in Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland before 1 January 2021, you need to apply for a new UK-issued EHIC.<\/p>\n
This entitles you to medically necessary state healthcare until the end of your course.<\/p>\n
Using your EHIC or GHIC
\nAn EHIC or GHIC covers state healthcare, not private treatment.<\/p>\n
With an EHIC or GHIC you can get emergency or necessary medical care for the same cost as a resident in the country you\u2019re visiting. This means that you can get healthcare at a reduced cost or for free.<\/p>\n
Find out what your card covers in each country. You can select the country you are planning to visit from the drop-down list.<\/p>\n
An EHIC or GHIC is not a replacement for travel insurance \u2013 it does not cover everything, such as mountain rescue or being flown back to the UK (medical repatriation). Make sure you have both before you travel.<\/p>\n
You\u2019ll need to pay in full for treatment if you do not have an EHIC, GHIC or provisional replacement certificate (PRC).<\/p>\n
The following European countries do not accept the EHIC or GHIC:<\/p>\n
the Channel Islands, including Guernsey, Alderney and Sark
\nthe Isle of Man
\nMonaco
\nSan Marino
\nthe Vatican
\nIf you do not have your EHIC or GHIC with you
\nYou\u2019ll need to apply for a Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC) if you need treatment and you do not have your EHIC or GHIC, or your card is lost or stolen abroad.<\/p>\n
Call the Overseas Healthcare Services. This is part of the NHS Business Services Authority (BSA).<\/p>\n
NHS Overseas Healthcare Services
\nTelephone: +44 (0)191 218 1999
\nMonday to Friday, 8am to 6pm
\nTravelling with a health condition
\nBuy travel insurance with healthcare cover for your condition. Your EHIC or GHIC will cover medically necessary treatment.<\/p>\n
If you need to have treatment while you\u2019re abroad, you may need to pre-arrange it. For example, if you need dialysis or oxygen treatment. Speak to your doctor in the UK for advice before you travel.<\/p>\n
UK prescriptions can be used in Ireland and Spain. You cannot use a UK prescription elsewhere in the EU.<\/p>\n
Bringing medicine with you
\nBefore you travel, make sure you either:<\/p>\n
take enough medication to last the duration of your trip
\ncan get any medicine you need in the country you\u2019re going to
\nCheck with the embassy, high commission or consulate for the country you\u2019re visiting about local rules on any specific medicines.<\/p>\n
You need a letter to prove your medicine is prescribed to you if it contains a \u2018controlled drug\u2019. You may need to show this at the border when you\u2019re entering or leaving the UK.<\/p>\n
You may also need a licence for controlled drugs if:<\/p>\n
your trip is longer than 3 months
\nyou\u2019re travelling with more than 3 months\u2019 supply
\nRead more about travelling with controlled medicines.<\/p>\n
Read guidance from NaTHNaC on best practice when travelling with medicines.<\/p>\n
Getting prescriptions
\nIf you need to get prescribed medicine while you\u2019re away, speak to a pharmacist in the country you\u2019re visiting. You may need a prescription from a local doctor.<\/p>\n
You may have to pay something towards the cost of your prescription.<\/p>\n
If you have an EHIC or GHIC, you should pay the same as a citizen of the EU country you\u2019re visiting. Make sure your prescription is from a state-approved doctor in the EU.<\/p>\n
Travelling to have planned treatment
\nYou cannot use an EHIC or GHIC for planned treatment. For example, if you\u2019re going abroad to give birth.<\/p>\n
Read the NHS guide to going abroad for medical treatment.<\/p>\n
Published 28 January 2019
\nLast updated 12 February 2021 <\/p>\n
Step1:
\nPlan your trip<\/p>\n
Step2:
\nGet your passport, visas and permits ready<\/p>\n
Step3:
\nGet travel insurance and check if you need vaccinations or inoculations<\/p>\n
this section
\nStep4:
\nTravel safely during COVID-19<\/p>\n
Step5:
\nWhen you’re abroad<\/p>\n
Follow the local COVID-19 restrictions
\nFind out what to do if:<\/p>\n
you’re unable to return to the UK because of COVID-19
\nYou are currently viewing:you need to access healthcare in the EU
\nyou’re in a crisis abroad
\nyou’re arrested abroad
\nyou’re a victim of a crime abroad.<\/p>\n
Source direct gov for more information please go to there website <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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