l am not an insurance expert and travel insurance is always advised but…
This is a free card which enables UK residents to get healthcare in Europe at a reduced cost or sometimes for free. Apply for it at:
www.gov.uk/global-health-insurance-card
It provides coverage for state treatment, ensuring you receive medical care at the same costs as the residents of the country visited.
Countries that do this cover are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.
Travel insurance offers more comprehensive insurance but very often you will get state healthcare through your travel insurance anyway.
This card does not cover private treatment and repatriation to UK for further treatment etc.
Hi Onk
Thanks very much for taking the time to talk about EHIC/GHIC as it's always advisable to carry one when travelling to a country that accepts them. Sometimes insurers will expect you to use that first before claiming on your insurance, and sometimes they'll reduce the excess limit if you've used the card before using travel insurance.
As you say it's still advisable to get travel insurance, as it would cover you for things like cancellation, cutting short your holiday, lost luggage, repatriation, etc., but the EHIC/GHIC is definitely something else you should pack.
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