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GHIC card - how to apply, how long it takes and do you need travel insurance?
- What is a GHIC card?
- What does a GHIC card cover?
- How long does a GHIC card take to arrive?
- GHIC card not arrived
- Do you need travel insurance with GHIC card?
What is a GHIC card?
The Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) gives holders access to foreign healthcare for a reduced cost or sometimes free.
It's free to apply for the card and can be used in the EU and Switzerland for medically necessary healthcare.
The GHIC was formerly the European Health Insurance Card, and holders will receive a GHIC when renewing their EHIC.
What does a GHIC card cover?
A GHIC card covers some or all of the cost of essential medical treatment for a cardholder who cannot wait to come back to the UK.
This is largely emergency treatment but also includes treatment for a long-term or pre-existing condition, routine maternity care (but not if you've gone abroad to give birth), oxygen therapy and kidney dialysis.
Some of these treatments would need to be booked in advance.
You should still buy travel insurance as GHIC only covers the sort of treatment a country normally provides on the state. Some countries can also charge a fee to access care, and travel insurance can cover these costs.
Some travel insurance policies want you to have a GHIC as part of their terms as it means they don't have to fund as much of the cost to your treatment.
Sometimes you’ll have to pay for your treatment up front and claim a refund. If this is the case keep all receipts. Your travel insurance company may also need to see these.
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Which countries does GHIC cover?
The GHIC covers countries in the EU and Switzerland. However, it does not cover treatment in all of Europe, with Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein excluded.
EU countries 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.
You can find out more information on how to access treatment in a country on the Foreign Office website here.
What is not covered by GHIC?
GHIC covers the medical treatment a state would normally offer, but these do differ from country to country. While the NHS has no cost to access healthcare, some countries do charge a fee for a hospital appointment. Some countries also don't provide all treatments free to residents. For example, GPs in some countries charge for appointments, so you would have to cover this cost even if you had a GHIC.
The GHIC does not cover medical treatment that a cardholder could wait to receive once they are home.
For these reasons travel insurance is still an essential purchase when travelling abroad, as it will cover the things the state would not.
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The GHIC only covers the cardholder, so each member of a family will need to have their own separate card. You can do multiple applications at the same time.
The GHIC does not cover treatment in Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein. Those using the card in Switzerland must be a British national, a Swiss national, EU citizen, or dependent or survivor of one of these nationalities. Refugees and stateless people also qualify.
How long is the GHIC card valid for?
The GHIC card is valid for five years. After this point you will need to apply for a replacement. It’s free to do, and we have more information below on the details you’ll need for your application.
GHIC card application
To apply for a GHIC card you will need to head to the NHS website. You will need a few simple details to be able to proceed with your application:
- Name
- Address
- Date of birth
- National Insurance number
- Health and Care number for those in Northern Ireland.
It's free to apply for the GHIC and there is no deadline.
Each member of a family needs their own GHIC but you can add a spouse, civil partner, durable partner and children when applying for your own card.
GHIC card for under 16
Children under 16 need their own GHIC card. An adult must complete the GHIC application for an under 16-year-old using the usual details. These are:
- Name
- Address
- Date of birth
- National Insurance number
- Health and Care number for those in Northern Ireland.
- NHS number or CHI number for those in Scotland.
Under-16s do not have a National Insurance number, so the adult filling in the application should add theirs.
Under 16-year-olds will usually be asked to ensure they have a GHIC card when going on foreign school trips or clubs.
How long does a GHIC card take to arrive?
It takes about 15 working days for a GHIC card to arrive so you should usually be waiting no longer than three weeks.
It still can be wise to apply for your GHIC well in advance in case there is a delay in getting it to you, but doing so four weeks before you travel should usually leave enough time.
Your GHIC card lasts for five years and is free, so you may decide to apply for it even if you don’t have a holiday booked, so it’s one less thing to think about.
If your GHIC doesn't arrive in time you can apply for a Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC) which gives you the same cover. There's more information on the PRC below.
GHIC card not arrived
If your GHIC card has not arrived but you have applied for it in enough time you can apply for a Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC) which gives you the same cover.
A PRC proves your entitlement to medically necessary healthcare and is applicable to GHIC or EHIC card holders.
This is a temporary certificate. You, or someone on your behalf, can apply for the card by going online here, or calling 0191 218 1999 within the UK, or from outside the UK call +44 191 218 1999. Telephone lines are open Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm.
If you have applied for the card and you believe it has not been delivered, or your GHIC card is lost or stolen, you can apply for a replacement via the NHS website.
Do you need travel insurance with GHIC card?
Travel insurance is not a legal requirement for travel to Europe, and it is not a requirement to get a GHIC card, however you may have to spend money if you become ill on holiday and don't have travel insurance.
While the GHIC gives cardholders access to discounted or free healthcare, it doesn't guarantee it. The GHIC gives a cardholder the treatment a state provides to its citizens. Some countries do not provide fully-free healthcare and there can often be an initial fee to access treatment.
In these cases, travel insurance will cover the cost of the things GHIC does not.
Repatriation if you are too ill to fly home is also not covered by a GHIC.
The NHS says: "Your EHIC or GHIC is not a substitute for travel insurance. It may not cover all health costs and never covers repatriation costs. Make sure you have travel insurance as well as your card."
Discover cheap travel insurance in our guide here, or get a quote using the box below.
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What is the difference between travel insurance and GHIC?
Travel insurance will cover the cost of most travel-related emergency health issues, but also theft or loss of some items, delayed or cancelled transport, luggage and terrorism.
It also covers repatriation if you're too ill to get home. This is one health-related feature which is not covered by a GHIC.
While GHIC covers some medical-related treatment, it only covers the treatment the state would normally provide. It will also only cover things medically necessary that cannot wait until you get home.
This covers emergencies but also when kidney dialysis or oxygen therapy is needed and some routine maternity care or the monitoring of some pre-existing conditions. Travel insurance can also cover some other incidents such as dental emergencies, lost or stolen cash, terrorism and expenses incurred if you lose your passport.
Read our guide here on what good travel insurance includes.
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