UK - European Medical Insurance Card

NHS 111 can help if you have an urgent medical problem and you are not exactly sure what to do. To get help from NHS 111 go to 111. nhs.uk or call 111.

- More info about accessing health care services in England

- More details about accessing NHS services in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Using an EHIC in the UK

What you require to do

If you are checking out the UK from an EU nation and you fall ill or have a medical emergency during your short-lived stay in England, you can use a legitimate European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) issued by your home country to access healthcare.

You will need to bring your EHIC if you are eligible to use it in the UK.

The EHIC is not an option to travel insurance. It will not cover any private medical healthcare, prepared treatment, being flown back home, or lost or taken residential or commercial property. We advise that you likewise have travel or medical insurance that covers the duration of your journey.

Emergency healthcare in England

This details is about getting health care in England.

The way you access healthcare in Scotland, Wales and might be various from England.

The NHS operates a residence-based healthcare system. This implies visitors to England might need to spend for NHS health care, depending on their circumstances.

Some services, such as mishap and emergency situation (A&E) and check outs to a general professional (GP), are free to everybody.

Urgent treatment or treatment that can not securely wait until you leave the country and return home will constantly be provided, and the matter of payment handled later on. Only a clinician can decide if your treatment is immediate or right away essential.

Treatment, protection & costs

General Practice medical professionals (GPs)

- Primary care services, including treatment by a Family doctor (GP) is supplied totally free of charge by National Health Service (NHS) medical professionals (family doctors - GPs). Find a general medical professional near you.


Dentists

- All NHS dental treatment that is scientifically needed is provided at a basic non-refundable charge. Find a dental practitioner near you.


Hospital treatment (NHS)

- Apart from emergency care, health center treatment is arranged through your medical professional (GP), dental practitioner or optician. Most treatment at NHS hospitals is free if you have a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Find a hospital near you.

- As a visitor with a legitimate card you are entitled to all medically necessary state supplied medical treatment complimentary of charge. The card does not cover scheduled treatment.


Prescriptions

- You can get recommended medicines from any drug store on presentation of a prescription. Find a drug store near you.

- Prescribed medications are charged at a basic non-refundable prescription rate.


Ambulance

- Necessary ambulance transportation is complimentary of charge.

Reimbursement

- In the UK, treatment is frequently free of charge, so there is no refund system.

- When basic charges are used (such as fees for NHS dental experts or prescription charges), these are not refundable in the UK.

- If you have to pay for care, call your national medical insurance provider when you return home to seek repayment.

Patient contribution

- In the UK, treatment is frequently totally free of charge, however you need to reveal your EHIC when accessing health care.

Standard charges that must be paid by clients request NHS dental professionals.

- There is also a charge for prescriptions, in England only, which is payable at the drug store. Prescriptions in Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales are complimentary of charge.

Dialysis, oxygen & chemotherapy

- Oxygen treatment and dialysis need to be arranged with a health care supplier in advance of your remain in England.

Details of oxygen suppliers in England.

Details of renal dialysis systems

Doctors & health centers accepting the EHIC

- Most treatments at NHS medical facilities are complimentary if you have a legitimate European Medical insurance Card (EHIC). Find a health center near you or find a basic doctor (GP) near you

- More information about accessing NHS services in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Coverage for UK homeowners going to the EU

If you are going to an EU Member State from the UK, you can utilize a UK Global Medical Insurance Card (UK GHIC) or a UK European Medical Insurance Card (UK EHIC) to gain access to medically needed treatment.

Differences between the available cards

There are 2 types of cover available for people insured by the UK. You can obtain either:

- a UK Global Health Insurance Card (UK GHIC).

- a UK European Medical Insurance Card (UK EHIC), if you have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.


For many individuals, the UK Global Medical Insurance Card (UK GHIC) replaces the existing European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for brand-new applications.

Further details on how to apply for an EHIC or GHIC

How to utilize your card

You can utilize your card to access clinically required state-provided healthcare when you're going to an EU country.

Medically required healthcare suggests healthcare that can not reasonably wait up until you return to the UK. Whether treatment is necessary is chosen by the healthcare service provider in the nation you're going to.

Further details on countries where your card stands

If you have an existing EHIC

If you have an existing EHIC issued prior to the UK leaving the EU, it will stay legitimate till the expiry date on the card. You can get a new card up to 6 months before your existing card expires.