EHIC, GHIC and Travel Insurance: What Each Actually Covers in 2026

EHIC and GHIC are not travel insurance. Millions of travellers carry one and assume they have the other. Here is exactly what each covers and who qualifies.

EHIC, GHIC, and travel insurance: not the same thing

The European Health Insurance Card covers state-provided healthcare at the same cost a local resident pays^[1]. That is its entire purpose. It does not cover repatriation, private hospitals, cancelled flights, or the helicopter that airlifts you off a ski slope.

This article sets out exactly what the EHIC, the UK's Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), and a standard travel insurance policy each cover, who qualifies for each, and why the combination matters.

Medical disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or legal advice. Healthcare entitlements and insurance policy terms change regularly. Verify your specific coverage with your card issuer and insurer before you travel.

Who is eligible for what in 2026

The EHIC is issued to residents of EU member states and EEA countries (Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein)^[2]. Switzerland also runs its own parallel card scheme. If you hold a valid EHIC, it covers you when you travel to another EU or EEA country, not your home country.

UK residents use the GHIC, which replaced the UK-issued EHIC after Brexit. The GHIC covers state healthcare in EU countries only^[3], not Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein. UK residents visiting those three EEA countries should arrange private cover.

EHIC cards carry expiry dates. If yours expired during or after the COVID-19 pandemic and you have not renewed it, it will be refused. Check the date before every trip.

What the EHIC and GHIC cover

Both cards give you access to medically necessary, state-funded treatment on the same terms as a local resident^[1]. That includes GP appointments, emergency department visits, hospital admission, and dialysis for pre-booked patients.

"Same terms as a local resident" is the phrase that catches people out. In France, for example, the state system reimburses roughly 70% of consultation fees. The remaining 30% (called the ticket modérateur) is your cost. The EHIC does not waive that gap.

In Spain, a public hospital emergency visit has no upfront charge for card holders, but prescription costs and follow-up outpatient appointments vary by region.

What the EHIC and GHIC do not cover

Both cards explicitly exclude the following:

Medical repatriation or evacuation to your home country
Private hospital or private clinic treatment
Treatment that was the planned purpose of travel (i.e. medical tourism)
Trip cancellation, lost luggage, or flight delays
Non-EU and non-EEA countries (for EHIC holders; GHIC covers EU only)

What travel insurance covers that EHIC and GHIC do not

A standard travel insurance policy fills the gaps the EHIC and GHIC leave open. The two most financially significant are medical evacuation and private hospital cover.

A medical evacuation from a Greek island or the Canaries can cost €15,000 to €50,000 (~$16,500 to $55,000) depending on aircraft type and distance^[4]. No EHIC or GHIC contributes a cent of that.

Travel insurance also typically covers trip cancellation, baggage loss, travel delay, and liability. Policies vary considerably, so read the schedule of benefits before purchase, not after a claim is denied.

The pre-existing condition trap

Standard travel insurance policies exclude claims arising from pre-existing conditions unless you declare them at the point of purchase and pay the appropriate premium uplift. Non-disclosure is the single most common reason travel claims are denied^[5].

The EHIC and GHIC carry no such exclusion. They do not distinguish between chronic and acute conditions. Whatever the state system treats for a resident, it treats for a card holder.

That is actually the strongest argument for carrying both. If you have a chronic condition and a claim is disputed by your insurer, the EHIC or GHIC can cover the immediate state-hospital costs while the dispute is resolved.

The practical combination that covers you properly

Neither card replaces insurance, and insurance cannot fully replace the card. Used together, they create a more complete safety net.

Carry your EHIC or GHIC and check the expiry date before departure. Present it at the state hospital or clinic to access care without upfront payment (where the local system allows).

Purchase travel insurance that includes medical cover of at least €1,000,000 (~$1,100,000) and explicit medical evacuation cover. Check that the policy covers your destination and the activities planned.

Declare all pre-existing conditions to your insurer at purchase. Non-disclosure voids the relevant claim; the premium uplift is almost always less than the cost of a single denied claim.

Store your card details, insurer emergency number, and policy reference in a place accessible without your phone. Give a copy to a travel companion.

Country-specific differences that affect how you use your card

The card gives you a right, but that right must be exercised in the state system. In Germany, public hospitals (Krankenhaus) accept the card for statutory treatment^[6]. Private hospitals (Privatkliniken) do not, and Germany has a dense private hospital network that many visitors end up using without realising the cost implications.

In Berlin, for example, some of the most prominent hospitals visible near tourist areas are private. If you attend one using your EHIC, you will be billed at private rates. The Berlin healthcare guide covers how to identify the right facility before you need one.

In Italy, the Servizio Sanitario Nazionale accepts the EHIC at pronto soccorso (emergency) departments^[7], but GP access for visitors varies by region. Emergency treatment is free of charge for card holders; outpatient specialist visits may carry a co-payment called the ticket.

In Portugal, the Serviço Nacional de Saúde accepts the EHIC and GHIC at public health centres (centros de saúde) and public hospitals. Prescription charges apply at the same rate charged to residents, which is a small percentage of the drug's reference price.

Keeping your medical record accessible alongside your card

The EHIC and GHIC establish your entitlement to care, but they carry no clinical information. A treating clinician in another country has no way to know your diagnoses, current medications, or allergies from the card alone.

An International Patient Summary (IPS) is a standardised digital document that carries exactly that information. It is structured to be readable by healthcare systems in different countries. Storing one on Nomedic means it travels with you on your phone.

If you are treated in a state hospital using your EHIC or GHIC, the clinician can review your IPS to understand your current medications and any allergy flags before prescribing. That matters in a system where the treating doctor may not speak the same language as your home GP.

A quick reference before you travel

Before any trip within the EU or EEA, run through the following:

Check your EHIC or GHIC expiry date. Renew if it expires during your trip.
Confirm your travel insurance covers medical evacuation and private treatment where state facilities are remote.
Declare all pre-existing conditions to your insurer at purchase.
Note the emergency number for your insurer alongside 112 (the EU-wide emergency number).
Store your IPS on Nomedic so clinical information is accessible even if you cannot communicate it yourself.

Frequently asked questions

Does the GHIC cover Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein?

No. The GHIC covers EU member states only, not EEA countries. Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein were covered under the old UK-issued EHIC, but the replacement GHIC does not extend to them. UK residents travelling to those countries should arrange separate medical cover.

Can I use my EHIC at a private hospital in Spain?

No. The EHIC applies only to state-run healthcare facilities. Private clinics and hospitals in Spain bill at their own rates regardless of your card. If you attend a private facility, you pay privately and claim back through your travel insurance if your policy allows it.

Does the EHIC cover pre-existing conditions?

Yes, for medically necessary treatment. The EHIC does not exclude conditions on the basis that they are chronic or pre-existing. If your condition requires treatment during your trip, the state system must treat you on the same terms as a local resident.

Will my travel insurer pay out if I have an EHIC and don't use it?

Most policies require you to take reasonable steps to reduce the cost of a claim. If state treatment was available under your EHIC and you chose private care instead, your insurer may reduce or reject the claim. Check your policy wording on this point before travel.

Is the EHIC or GHIC accepted in Switzerland?

Switzerland is not an EU or EEA member. EU citizens with an EHIC can access emergency treatment in Switzerland under a bilateral agreement, but coverage is limited. GHIC holders have no equivalent agreement and should rely entirely on travel insurance for Switzerland.

How do I renew an expired EHIC?

Renewal is handled by your country's national health authority. In Germany, contact your Krankenkasse. In France, apply through your Caisse Primaire d'Assurance Maladie (CPAM). UK residents renew the GHIC free of charge through the NHS website at nhsform.nhs.uk.