Published: 31 May 2026
UK GHIC Card Explained: What It Covers and How to Apply
If you’re travelling to Europe, a GHIC card could save you hundreds or even thousands of pounds in medical costs. However, many travellers misunderstand what it covers and assume it replaces travel insurance – it doesn’t.
The UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) is free to apply for and lasts for 5 years. It entitles you to healthcare in the European Economic Area (EEA), and some other countries, on the same basis as residents of that country. The treatment may require a payment or even be free, but you are treated on the same basis as a local.
What am I covered for?
The services that you will receive are restricted to “medically necessary healthcare” which is decided by the healthcare provider in the country you’re visiting. However, in principle it covers:
- Emergency treatment and visits to A&E
- Treatment or routine medical care for long-term or pre-existing medical conditions
- Routine maternity care, as long as you’re not going abroad to give birth
Do I need travel insurance if I have a GHIC?
The NHS is absolutely clear that the GHIC does not cover things such as getting you home, private medical care in a hospital or ski/mountain rescue. Medical repatriation especially can cost tens of thousands of pounds if you need an air ambulance or medical escort back to the UK.
Good travel insurance should properly cover your medical care plus cancellation in case of illness before you go, flight delays/cancellations, lost luggage, ambulance transport, hospital treatment, medical repatriation and also the costs for a family member/friend to stay with you, or travel out to accompany you home if needed.
GHIC v typical Travel Insurance
| Covers | GHIC | Travel Insurance |
| Emergency medical treatment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Medical repatriation | ✗ | ✓ |
| Lost luggage | ✗ | ✓ |
| Trip cancellation | ✗ | ✓ |
| Flight disruption | ✗ | ✓ |
| Mountain rescue | ✗ | Usually |
| Worldwide coverage | ✗ | If selected |
Which countries is the GHIC valid in?
- UK Crown Dependencies: Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man
- UK Overseas Territories: St Helena, Tristan and Ascension
- EU Countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.
- Other European Countries: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Montenegro, Norway and Switzerland
- Also: Australia
Other points
- For UK residents, the GHIC has replaced the EHIC (European Health Insurance Card), if you still have a valid EHIC, you can use that until it expires.
- Note that separate rules apply if you are a UK citizen living in the EU with rights under the EU Withdrawal Agreement. The information you require is here.Â
Applying for a GHIC
Applying takes a couple of minutes and apart from the standard personal details all you need is your National Insurance number (plus your Health and Care number if you live in Northern Ireland).
After applying, you should receive an email within 24 hours stating if you have been approved or not. When approved, you should receive the card within 15 working days.Â
I applied for a GHIC recently received the approval email almost immediately and the card took only 9 working days to arrive in the post.
To apply for a GHIC, visit the official NHS website here. The GHIC is free so watch out for any scam websites that will charge for the service. You can also apply for your spouse and any children under 18 as part of the same application.
