We advise participants to get the European Health Insurance Card. 


What is the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)? 

A free card that gives you access to medically necessary, state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in any of the 27 EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland under the same conditions and at the same cost (free in some countries) as people insured in that country. 


Important – the European Health Insurance Card:

  • is not an alternative to travel insurance. It does not cover any private healthcare or costs such as a return flight to your home country or lost/stolen property,
  • does not guarantee free services. As each country’s healthcare system is different, services that cost nothing at home might not be free in another country.

How do I get my card? 


To be eligible for a card, it is required to be insured by or covered by a state social security system in any Member State of the European Union. You obtain a card by contacting the health insurance institution where you are insured and which is therefore responsible for assuming your healthcare costs.


You can access the list of national information and contact points here.


When asked for the European Health Insurance Card, local authories are obliged to provide one or, failing that, a provisional replacement certificate if the card is not immediately available. 


If there are uncertainties about your rights or extra information on how to ensure that your right to an EHIC is respected by your national authorities is required, Your Europe Advice can be contacted.