--- title: "GHIC & EHIC for UK Travellers: What the Card… | FlightLogic" description: "UK residents should carry a valid GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card) or in-date EHIC when travelling to the EU — both are free from NHS.uk and let you access…" url: https://flightlogic.co.uk/guides/ghic-ehic-uk-travellers-guide/ lastModified: 2026-07-05 source: FlightLogic (flightlogic.co.uk) licence: "Content © Elite Digital AI Solutions Ltd. Cite the URL above and the page author." --- *Links marked * may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. We do not provide financial advice. How we make money .* # GHIC & EHIC for UK Travellers: What the Card Covers (and Why You Still Need Insurance) UK residents should carry a valid GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card) or in-date EHIC when travelling to the EU — both are free from NHS.uk and let you access medically necessary state healthcare at the same cost as local residents. GHIC replaced new EHIC applications after Brexit; existing EHICs work until expiry. Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 ## GHIC vs EHIC — what changed after Brexit The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) gave UK residents access to state healthcare across the EU and EEA. After Brexit, new UK applications issue a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) instead. If you still hold an EHIC issued before the switch, it remains valid until the printed expiry date — check the card rather than assuming you need an immediate replacement. The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) gave UK residents access to state healthcare across the EU and EEA. After Brexit, new UK applications issue a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) instead. If you still hold an EHIC issued before the switch, it remains valid until the printed expiry date — check the card rather than assuming you need an immediate replacement. GHIC covers medically necessary treatment during temporary stays in EU member states and also applies in Switzerland under bilateral arrangements (with conditions). Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein participation differs from the old EHIC — verify the current country list on NHS.uk before travel outside the EU core. Each traveller needs their own card, including children. GHIC is free — apply only through NHS.uk. Copycat websites charging for applications or fast-track services are unnecessary and should be avoided. ## What GHIC actually covers abroad GHIC lets you use state-provided healthcare in participating countries on the same basis as locally insured residents — sometimes free, sometimes at a reduced patient charge. Emergency A&E, urgent GP visits for sudden illness, and some prescribed medicines may qualify; elective treatment, cosmetic care, and private hospitals do not. GHIC lets you use state-provided healthcare in participating countries on the same basis as locally insured residents — sometimes free, sometimes at a reduced patient charge. Emergency A&E, urgent GP visits for sudden illness, and some prescribed medicines may qualify; elective treatment, cosmetic care, and private hospitals do not. Healthcare systems vary by country. You may need to pay upfront and claim reimbursement, or present the card only at public facilities. GHIC covers medically necessary care regardless of pre-existing conditions in participating countries, but travel insurance may still exclude undeclared conditions unless you complete a medical screening. GHIC has no application to the USA, Canada, Australia, or most non-European destinations. Medical bills in the United States routinely exceed £100,000 without insurance — a GHIC offers zero protection there. ## Why travel insurance is still mandatory Travel insurance fills the gaps GHIC leaves: emergency private treatment where no state facility is available, medical repatriation to the UK, trip cancellation and curtailment, baggage loss, personal liability, and airline failure cover on some policies. GHIC is a complement to insurance, never a substitute. Travel insurance fills the gaps GHIC leaves: emergency private treatment where no state facility is available, medical repatriation to the UK, trip cancellation and curtailment, baggage loss, personal liability, and airline failure cover on some policies. GHIC is a complement to insurance, never a substitute. Buy insurance as soon as you book non-refundable flights — cancellation cover starts from policy inception. Match cancellation limits to your total non-refundable spend including flights, hotels, and excursions. Declare your GHIC when buying cover; some insurers lower the medical excess as a result. Packaged UK bank accounts sometimes include travel insurance with age caps (often 70–80) and activity exclusions. Read the policy document — bundled cover may be adequate for a simple EU beach trip but inadequate for skiing, cruises, or USA travel. ## Applying and renewing Apply free at NHS.uk using your National Insurance number and passport details. Cards arrive by post within a few weeks — apply well before departure. Renew before expiry; expired cards are not valid at hospitals or border checks. Apply free at NHS.uk using your National Insurance number and passport details. Cards arrive by post within a few weeks — apply well before departure. Renew before expiry; expired cards are not valid at hospitals or border checks. Keep a photo of your GHIC or EHIC on your phone as backup, but carry the physical card when possible. Some providers still expect to see the card itself before treating you under reciprocal arrangements. [Is Travel Insurance Worth It in 2026? When to Buy & When to Skip](https://flightlogic.co.uk/guides/travel-insurance-worth-it/) · [UK Flight Delay Compensation (UK261): How to Claim Up to £520](https://flightlogic.co.uk/guides/uk261-flight-delay-compensation-uk/) · [How to Compare UK Travel Insurance in 2026: A Flight-First Buyer Checklist](https://flightlogic.co.uk/guides/compare-uk-travel-insurance/) · [ETIAS for UK Travellers (2026): Timeline, Cost, Scams & What to Do Now](https://flightlogic.co.uk/guides/etias-uk-travellers-guide/) ## Before you pack — pre-trip essentials Flight and hotel links convert late. Finance, FX, insurance, and gear decisions happen weeks earlier — when professionals budget for long-haul stays. These picks fund FlightLogic without touching editorial scores. ### Budget the trip before you book flights Educational UK travel credit card comparisons — Avios, Virgin Points, lounge access, and Section 75 protection. FlightLogic does not earn commission on credit cards. ### Cover before you pack What UK travel insurance must cover for a flight booking, GHIC vs insurance, pre-existing condition screening, and FCA-authorised providers to get quotes from. ### Avios & companion vouchers Week-by-week educational roadmap for UK households — companion-voucher break-even maths, UK261 documentation, and how Avios cards fit a stack before your first long-haul. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Is GHIC the same as EHIC for UK travellers? For practical EU healthcare access, yes — GHIC replaced new EHIC applications after Brexit. Existing EHICs remain valid until expiry. Coverage scope is similar in EU countries but always check the current participating nation list on NHS.uk. ### Do I still need travel insurance if I have a GHIC? Yes. GHIC does not cover repatriation, private treatment, cancellation, baggage, or non-EU destinations. Comprehensive travel insurance remains essential for any trip where medical evacuation or non-refundable costs matter. ### Does GHIC cover pre-existing medical conditions? GHIC covers medically necessary state care abroad regardless of pre-existing conditions in participating countries. Travel insurance is different — you must declare conditions honestly or risk a voided policy. ### How do I apply for a free GHIC? Apply only through NHS.uk — never pay a third-party site. You need your National Insurance number and passport details. The card is posted free within a few weeks. ### Does GHIC work in Switzerland? Yes, with conditions under UK-Switzerland healthcare arrangements. Verify current rules on NHS.uk before travel, as bilateral coverage can differ from standard EU member state access. Written by [Emma Walsh](https://flightlogic.co.uk/authors/emma-walsh/) Editor, Hotels & Europe Emma reviews boutique and independent hotels across Europe, alongside British Airways and Oneworld product reviews. She writes FlightLogic's Avios redemption guides.