United Kingdom - European Medical Insurance Card

NHS 111 can help if you have an urgent medical problem and you are not sure what to do. To get assist from NHS 111 go to 111. nhs.uk or call 111.

- More info about accessing healthcare services in England

- More information about accessing NHS services in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Using an EHIC in the UK

What you require to do

If you are going to the UK from an EU nation and you fall ill or have a medical emergency during your momentary stay in England, you can use a legitimate European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) issued by your home nation to gain access to healthcare.

You will require to bring your EHIC if you are eligible to utilize it in the UK.

The EHIC is not an option to travel insurance coverage. It will not cover any private medical health care, prepared treatment, being flown back home, or lost or taken home. We recommend that you also have travel or health insurance that covers the period of your trip.

Emergency health care in England

This info has to do with getting health care in England.

The way you access health care in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland might be different from England.

The NHS operates a residence-based healthcare system. This suggests visitors to England may need to spend for NHS healthcare, depending on their circumstances.

Some services, such as accident and emergency situation (A&E) and check outs to a family doctor (GP), are free to everyone.

Urgent treatment or treatment that can not securely wait up until you leave the country and return home will always be supplied, and the matter of payment dealt with later on. Only a clinician can choose if your treatment is urgent or right away essential.

Treatment, protection & expenses

General Practice physicians (GPs)

- Medical care services, consisting of treatment by a Family doctor (GP) is offered totally free of charge by National Health Service (NHS) medical professionals (general specialists - GPs). Find a basic physician near you.


Dentists

- All NHS dental treatment that is scientifically necessary is supplied at a basic non-refundable charge. Find a dentist near you.


Hospital treatment (NHS)

- Apart from emergency situation care, hospital treatment is arranged through your physician (GP), dental expert or optician. Most treatment at NHS health centers is free if you have a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Find a medical facility near you.

- As a visitor with a valid card you are entitled to all scientifically essential state offered medical treatment totally free of charge. The card does not cover scheduled treatment.


Prescriptions

- You can get prescribed medicines from any drug store on presentation of a prescription. Find a pharmacy near you.

- Prescribed medicines are charged at a basic non-refundable prescription rate.


Ambulance

- Necessary ambulance transportation is free of charge.

Reimbursement

- In the UK, treatment is usually complimentary of charge, so there is no refund system.

- When standard charges are applied (such as fees for NHS dentists or prescription charges), these are not refundable in the UK.

- If you need to spend for care, contact your national medical insurance company as soon as you return home to look for reimbursement.

Patient contribution

- In the UK, treatment is most frequently totally free of charge, however you need to show your EHIC when accessing healthcare.

Standard charges that should be paid by patients make an application for NHS dental practitioners.

- There is also a charge for prescriptions, in England just, which is payable at the drug store. Prescriptions in Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales are totally free of charge.

Dialysis, oxygen & chemotherapy

- Oxygen therapy and dialysis require to be organized with a healthcare supplier in advance of your remain in England.

Details of oxygen suppliers in England.

Details of kidney dialysis units

Doctors & healthcare facilities accepting the EHIC

- Most treatments at NHS healthcare facilities are complimentary if you have a valid European Medical insurance Card (EHIC). Find a medical facility near you or discover a general medical professional (GP) near you

- More details about accessing NHS services in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Coverage for UK citizens checking out the EU

If you are visiting an EU Member State from the UK, you can use a UK Global Medical Insurance Card (UK GHIC) or a UK European Medical Insurance Card (UK EHIC) to access medically necessary treatment.

Differences between the readily available cards

There are 2 kinds of cover offered for individuals insured by the UK. You can get either:

- a UK Global Health Insurance Card (UK GHIC).

- a UK European Health Insurance Card (UK EHIC), if you have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.


For the majority of people, the UK Global Health Insurance Card (UK GHIC) changes the existing European Medical insurance Card (EHIC) for brand-new applications.

Further information on how to obtain an EHIC or GHIC

How to utilize your card

You can use your card to access medically required state-provided health care when you're going to an EU nation.

Medically needed healthcare means health care that can not fairly wait up until you come back to the UK. Whether treatment is needed is decided by the doctor in the country you're going to.

Further information on nations where your card is valid

If you have an existing EHIC

If you have an existing EHIC released prior to the UK leaving the EU, it will remain valid until the expiry date on the card. You can make an application for a brand-new card as much as 6 months before your present card ends.