The Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) ensures that UK residents still have the right to free or discounted medical care when travelling in EU countries.
Its predecessor, the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), is in the process of being phased out following Britain’s departure from the EU, with more than 4m EHICs due to expire in 2024 alone.
Here’s everything you need to know about how the GHIC will work, and how to apply for one.
Contents
- Who’s eligible for a Global Health Insurance Card?
- Which countries does a GHIC cover?
- How do I apply for the Global Health Insurance Card?
- Do I have to pay for the GHIC card?
- How long will it take for my GHIC card to arrive?
- What if my card hasn’t arrived before I leave the UK, or I forget to pack it?
- What does the GHIC cover?
- If I have the GHIC card does it mean there will be no cost for treatment if I need it overseas?
- What happens if I don’t have a GHIC card but end up needing treatment while I’m travelling?
- If I have a Global Health Insurance Card does that mean I don’t need travel insurance?
- What if my EHIC card doesn’t expire for a while?
- How long is a GHIC valid for?
Who’s eligible for a Global Health Insurance Card?
You don’t have to have made a certain amount of National Insurance Contributions (NICs) or paid a set amount of UK tax to qualify for a GHIC. Instead, eligibility for the card is determined by your residency, in the same way it is with the NHS, so if you’re ‘ordinarily resident’ in the UK and are not insured by another EU country, you’re likely to be entitled to a GHIC issued in the UK.
The government defines someone as being ordinarily resident in the UK if “they are normally residing in the UK (apart from temporary or occasional absences), and their residence here has been adopted voluntarily and for settled purposes as part of the regular order of their life for the time being, whether for short or long duration.”
You can find more guidance on being ordinarily resident in the UK here. Remember that even though it has the word ‘insurance’ in its name, the GHIC should never be seen as a substitute for travel insurance, as it won’t cover things like repatriating you back to the UK, or any costs incurred if your luggage is stolen or you have to cut your trip short.
If you’re looking for travel insurance, we have partnered with Staysure to provide you with first class travel insurance, tailored to suit your needs. There’s no upper age limit and they’ll cover most pre-existing medical conditions. You can also take advantage of their 20%‡ discount, just quote RSTL at checkout.
‡Discount applies to the base premium of the policy only and not to medical screening costs or add-ons where relevant. Terms, conditions, and exclusions apply.
Which countries does a GHIC cover?
Even though the card is described as ‘Global’, you can only use it within the EU and Switzerland. The old EHIC could also be used in some other non-EU countries such as Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Iceland, but now the UK has left the EU neither the new GHIC or the EHIC can be used outside the EU and Switzerland.
How do I apply for the Global Health Insurance Card?
You can apply for a Global Health Insurance card on the official NHS website here. All cards will look the same, except if you live in Northern Ireland, as you’ll be able to choose whether to have a standard GHIC card with a Union flag on it, or one with a plain background.
Do I have to pay for the GHIC card?
No, the card is free of charge, so it won’t cost you a penny. As with the EHIC card, there are several websites and services that tell you they’ll help you apply for a card in return for a fee. Often, they’ll say that the service offers a spelling check, or will send you a reminder when your GHIC card is about to expire. The NHS site is straightforward to use and totally free, so we would recommend you steer clear of any websites charging fees and only apply through the official NHS website.
How long will it take for my GHIC card to arrive?
It generally takes up to two weeks for GHIC applications to be processed, so you should ideally make sure you apply for one at least three weeks before you travel, or even longer, if you want to be certain it will arrive in time. Some people have reported that it’s taken them several weeks, or in some cases months to get their cards, so don’t delay if you know you’re going to need one soon. Usually though, your card should arrive within 10 days.
What if my card hasn’t arrived before I leave the UK, or I forget to pack it?
If you haven’t got your card with you and you need treatment while you’re abroad, you can request a Provisional Replacement Certificate to prove your entitlement to medically necessary healthcare.
You can apply for this Certificate by calling Overseas Healthcare Services at the NHS Business Services Authority on +44 (0)191 218 1999, or you can apply online here. The service is open from Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm.
What does the GHIC cover?
The NHS says that the GHIC card will mean you have access to ‘medically necessary state-provided healthcare’ while you are in an EU country or Switzerland.
Medically necessary healthcare is any healthcare that can’t wait till you come home to the UK, so might include things like emergency treatment and visits to A&E, as well as treatment for long-term or pre-existing medical conditions, such as diabetes or asthma. You may need to pay a percentage towards this treatment, even though you might get it free from the NHS if you were at home.
If the treatment you require for a pre-existing condition requires specialist machinery or drugs, such as dialysis if your kidneys have failed, or chemotherapy if you’re being treated for cancer, you’ll usually have to pre-arrange this with the relevant healthcare provider in the country you’re visiting to confirm your eligibility and any associated costs.
If I have the GHIC card does it mean there will be no cost for treatment if I need it overseas?
Not necessarily – some state healthcare in the EU has to be paid for by its own citizens, so whilst you would be eligible for similar treatment to locals, you might have to pay for certain treatments even if you have a GHIC. Essentially, if a local citizen receives free medical treatment then you will as well, but if they pay for their treatment, so will you.
What happens if I don't have a GHIC card but end up needing treatment while I’m travelling?
According to the government website Gov.uk, if you travel without a card, you should still be entitled to necessary healthcare while you’re abroad. You’ll need to apply for a Provisional Replacement Certificate by calling Overseas Healthcare Services at the NHS Business Services Authority on +44 (0)191 218 1999.
If I have a Global Health Insurance Card does that mean I don’t need travel insurance?
No, you should always take out travel cover before you go on holiday, as the Global Health Insurance Card will only cover some medical costs and won’t provide you with any financial protection if, for example, your baggage is lost or stolen, or if you experience travel delays or have to cancel your holiday. Find out more in our guide Everything you need to know about travel insurance.
When buying travel insurance, it’s really important not to just buy the cheapest policy you find. This is because you need to make sure the policy will work for you, and that it provides you with sufficient cover.
Look carefully at the cover limits outlined in each section, especially the medical cover, as bills for medical treatment overseas can often run into hundreds, or thousands of pounds. Remember that if you have a pre-existing condition, you’ll need to specify this before you buy insurance. Learn more in our guide How to find travel insurance if you have pre-existing health conditions.
If you’re looking for travel insurance, we have partnered with Staysure to provide you with first class travel insurance, tailored to suit your needs. There’s no upper age limit and they’ll cover most pre-existing medical conditions. You can also take advantage of their 20%‡ discount, just quote RSTL at checkout.
‡Discount applies to the base premium of the policy only and not to medical screening costs or add-ons where relevant. Terms, conditions, and exclusions apply.
What if my EHIC card doesn’t expire for a while?
You don’t have to apply for a GHIC card until your EHIC card expires. EHIC cards will still be valid for use in the EU until they run out.
How long is a GHIC valid for?
Once you’ve got your GHIC card, just like the EHIC, it will usually be valid for a maximum of five years.
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