I suspect that many EU member states have done a fantastic job of informing its citizens of the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). However well over a year after its official introduction here in the UK, I still talk to people who have no idea that they need the card when travelling in other EU countries in order to ensure the same rights to emergency medical treatment as the locals.

So in order to do my bit to spread the word, here are the basics including a couple of links with further information:

Who needs the card?

If you are a citizen (in some countries residency is enough) of a European Economic Area (EEA) member state or of Switzerland travelling to another EEA member state or Switzerland and wish to ensure you have the same rights to emergency medical treatment as the locals (we’re mainly talking cost here as you’re always entitled to treatment), then you need the European Health Insurance Card.

Where can I use the card?

In all the EEA member states and Switzerland*, so in these countries:

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

*not everyone is covered in Switzerland and Swiss nationals are not covered in all countries. See the English Department of Health website for further information.

How much does the card cost?

The card is free, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. If anyone tries to charge you for the card, they are fraudsters and not an issuing body.

Where can I get the card?

You have to apply for the card in the country in which you pay social security tax/contributions. How to apply varies from country to country, but with the help of the EU Code List Database and Google here is a list of where you can either apply for the EHIC or at least find further information about how to apply:

Austria – the European Health Insurance Card is incorporated into the The Austrian e-card System.

Belgium – you can apply for the card at the local “ziekenfond” or “mutualiteit”.

Bulgaria – The National Health Insurance Fund has further information

Cyprus – you can apply for the card at The Ministry of Health of the Republic of Cyprus

Czech Republic – Česká národní zdravotní pojišťovna has more information.

Denmark – Sundhed.dk has more information, and you can apply for the card at the local “kommune”.

Estonia – you can apply for the card with The Estonian Health Insurance Fund.

Finland – you can apply for the card with “Kela”.

France – you can apply for the card at the local “Caisses Primaires d’Assurance Maladie (CPAM)”.

Germany – the EHIC is often incorporated into private and public health insurance cards. Most insurance companies should be able to advise you on how to obtain an EHIC.

Greece – your local Idrima Kinonikon Asfalisseon (IKA) office should have the relevant information.

Hungary – the Országos Egészségbiztosítási Pénztár website has a list of all the issuing bodies.

Iceland – you can apply for the EHIC online.

Ireland – you can apply online at this address: http://www.ehic.ie.

Italy – you can apply for the card at your local “Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale (ASL)”.

Latvia – you can find further information on the State Agency for Compulsory Health Insurance (SACHI) website.

Lithuania – the Valstybinė ligonių kasa website has further information.

Luxembourg – you can apply online at the Organismes de sécurité sociale website.

Malta – you can apply online at the Ministry of Health, the Elderly and Community Care website.

The Netherlands – you can apply online at https://www.ehic.nl

Norway – you can apply online at the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Organisation website.

Poland – you can find further information at the Narodowy Fundusz Zdrowia website.

Portugal – you can apply for the card at your local social security office (Centro Distrital de Segurança Social). You can find further information here: http://www.seg-social.pt.

Romania – you can apply for the card at your local Health Insurance House.

Slovakia – more information can be found here: http://www.vszp.sk/showdoc.do?docid=191.

Slovenia – you can apply for the card online.

Spain – you can find further information here >>

Sweden – you can apply for the card online at Försäkringskassan website.

The United Kingdom – All UK residents can apply for the card at ehic.org.uk.

I haven’t been able to find information on how to apply in Switzerland or Liechtenstein. If you know how to apply in either of those two countries, please let me know.

Anything else I need to know?

The English NHS Choices website has a detailed description of who and what is covered by the EHIC including a country-by-country guide on how to access healthcare when abroad. For information straight from the horse’s mouth go to the European Health Insurance Card website.

I hope this was useful to anyone who have yet to apply for the EHIC. Remember the EHIC does not necessarily mean you are entitled to free treatment or even the treatment you are entitled to in your own country. The EHIC is not an alternative to travel insurance, so don’t forget to buy travel insurance!