Last checked: 09/03/2020

Health cover for temporary stays

Affected by Brexit?

As an EU citizen, if you unexpectedly fall ill during a temporary stay in another EU country - whether on holiday, a business trip or studying abroad - you are entitled to any medical treatment that can't wait until you get home. You have the same rights to health care as people insured in the country you are in.

You should always take your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) with you on all trips abroad. This card is the proof that you are insured in an EU country.

If you don't have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), or you can't use it (for instance, for private health care), you can't be refused treatment, but you might have to pay for your treatment upfront and claim reimbursement once you get home.

Applying for the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)

In some countries the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is issued together with the national health card. In other countries, you need to apply for it.

You should not have to pay anything for your EHIC. You should get it for free from your health insurer before leaving home.

Some rogue websites ask you to pay to order your European Health Insurance Card with them. Never use these sites: instead contact your public health care provider directly.

Make sure you check with your health insurer how far your health insurance covers your family members.

Find out more about the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) in:

Choose country:

Austria at de

Belgium be nlfr

Bulgaria bg en

Croatia cr en

Cyprus cy en

Czech Republic cz en

Denmark dk en

Estonia ee en

Finland fi en

France fr fr

Germany de en



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Restrictions on the use of the European Health Insurance Card

Nationals from non-EU countries cannot use their EHIC for medical treatment in Denmark, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, unless they are refugees residing in an EU member state or are covered as family members of an EU citizen.

cannot use their EHIC for medical treatment in Denmark, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, unless they are refugees residing in an EU member state or are covered as family members of an EU citizen. Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland are counted as EU countries for the purposes of EU social security coordination rules

are counted as EU countries for the purposes of EU social security coordination rules The EHIC will not help you with rescue and repatriation - if you need free transport back home after falling seriously ill or after having an accident while visiting another EU country, you will need separate insurance cover

- if you need free transport back home after falling seriously ill or after having an accident while visiting another EU country, you will need The EHIC does not cover you for private healthcare or the cost of planned treatment in another EU country