What is a GHIC?

Holidaymakers who renewed their EHIC before 31 December 2020 can continue to use it until its expiry date. After this point, they will need to apply for a UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). You can apply for a new card up to six months before your current one expires.

It is important to remember that the EHIC or GHIC is only valid in Switzerland for UK Nationals under specific eligibility criteria (further details can be found on the official GHIC guidance pages GHIC Eligibility Criteria). In addition, those visiting Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein will need to make sure their EHIC or GHIC has the Union Flag hologram in the top-right corner. If you are travelling to any of these destinations and would like to understand how to better protect yourself during your trip, you can find further guidance on healthcare in the EU and Switzerland here: Healthcare in the EU and Switzerland. 

Presenting your EHIC or GHIC before receiving medical treatment in an EU country entitles you to the same level of care as local residents, either free of charge or at a reduced cost

Both the EHIC and GHIC will also cover necessary treatment for pre-existing medical conditions, as well as routine maternity care, provided you are not travelling specifically to give birth or to seek planned medical treatment.

All UK residents are eligible to apply for an GHIC, however, there are some restrictions depending on nationality.

Registering for a GHIC is the exact same as applying for a EHIC; and there are several ways you can do so: apply online for a GHIC or you can call the GHIC application service on 0300 330 1350. Alternatively, you can download an application form and apply by post. Applications usually take between 7-10 days to process but allow extra time for postal applications.

See the NHS website for more information on this.

Just like the EHIC, the GHIC is completely free and is valid for five years.

Be aware of fraudulent websites that charge an application fee for a GHIC. Applications should always be made through the official NHS or government channels, and fees paid to unofficial sites are unlikely to be recoverable.

It is worth noting all those travelling to an EU country will need to carry an GHIC to be eligible for treatment. And while under 16s are not able to apply for their own card, a parent or guardian can do so on their behalf.

A GHIC will only cover you for emergency treatment in EU countries. There is a different eligibility criteria for people travelling to Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland. If you would like more information on this, click here: Eligibility Criteria for a GHIC.

In some countries, you may be required to pay part or all of your medical costs upfront and then claim eligible expenses back afterwards. You may also be responsible for certain charges such as daily hospital fees or non-medical costs. Ambulance transport is often included under state healthcare, but air ambulance services and medical repatriation back to the UK are not covered. Routine dental treatment is also not included unless it is required as a result of illness or injury.

Different arrangements apply in Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland, so it is important to check the specific eligibility rules before you travel (see GHIC eligibility guidance for more information).

Because healthcare systems vary widely between countries, it is always worth checking what local residents are entitled to. In some destinations, certain services may not be free even for citizens, meaning additional charges can apply to visitors. For this reason, comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended to cover any gaps, including private treatment, repatriation and additional costs not covered by the GHIC.

The simple answer is yes.

Although both the EHIC and GHIC allow you to access necessary state-provided healthcare abroad, they do not replace travel insurance. Importantly, they do not cover repatriation costs if you need to return to the UK due to illness or injury — something that is typically included as standard in most travel insurance policies.

If you’re going on a cruise, it’s important to note that EHIC and GHIC cover does not apply while you are onboard a cruise ship, even if you are travelling within European waters. However, it may be used for treatment on land in participating countries. Many travel insurance policies include cruise cover as standard, or offer it as an optional add-on. This can extend protection to include medical expenses, cabin confinement, missed port departures, and missed excursions. Always check your policy wording carefully, as limits and inclusions can vary.

For winter sports or activity holidays, EHIC and GHIC cards will still cover necessary state medical treatment, but they do not include mountain rescue, ski lift evacuation, or other specialist rescue services. Travel insurance can provide cover for these costs, provided you have added the appropriate winter sports or activity extension to your policy.

It’s also worth noting that some insurers may waive the excess on your policy if you use your EHIC or GHIC for eligible medical treatment abroad.

You can read more about travel insurance medical expenses here: What Are Medical Expenses?

Don’t panic!

If your EHIC or GHIC is lost or stolen before you travel, you can easily apply for a replacement GHIC online, over the phone or by post – this will usually take 10 working days to arrive. If you are replacing an EHIC, you will be issued with a GHIC instead, so don’t be concerned if the new card looks different.

If you are due to travel before your replacement card arrives, or your EHIC/GHIC care is lost or stolen while you are abroad, you can contact the Department for Work and Pensions Overseas Healthcare Team. They can issue a Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC) which provides the same entitlement to state healthcare as an EHIC or GHIC. If you are due to travel before the new GHIC arrives, or your EHIC or GHIC is lost or stolen abroad, you can telephone the Department for Work and Pensions Overseas Healthcare Team (DWP OHT) and they will be able to issue a Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC) – this will entitle you to the same cover as the EHIC and GHIC would.

It’s important to note that the DWP Overseas Healthcare Team operates during set office hours. If you require urgent medical treatment outside these hours, you may not be able to obtain a PRC immediately, which could delay access to treatment. This is why having comprehensive travel insurance alongside your EHIC or GHIC is strongly recommended.