Travellers to EEA countries are urged to check the validity of their European Health Insurance Cards.

More than 300,000 European Health Insurance Cards (EHICs) will expire at the end of March 2009, leaving visitors to Europe liable for any medical costs they incur while abroad, according to the UK’s Department of Health (DoH).

EHICs – which replaced the E111 forms – are free and entitle British travellers to reduced cost or free state-provided medical care in all countries within the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland. They are valid for up to five years. Without one, travellers have to cover the cost of medical treatment themselves, or claim on their travel insurance.

According to DoH’s research, three in five people have an EHIC, however 68% of those with one do not know when it is due to expire – and since September 2008, almost 3.3 million EHICs have expired.

GMTV’s resident GP, Dr Hilary Jones, is fronting the renewal campaign, which is targeted at all travellers especially the 14% who never buy travel insurance or take an EHIC when visiting Europe. He said: “If you’re travelling in Europe, it is vital that you carry a valid EHIC, as well as comprehensive travel insurance. The last thing you want to be thinking about when you’re on holiday is paying unnecessary medical bills, which could cost thousands of pounds.”

The research also revealed that if people do become ill abroad – almost 50% of travellers have admitted to falling ill or becoming injured on holiday – 35% of them delayed getting medical treatment until they returned home, while many bought foreign over-the-counter treatments they did not understand.

Travellers visiting countries outside of the EEA may also receive free medical treatment, provided the country has a reciprocal healthcare arrangement with the UK. European travellers visiting the UK will, from 1 April 2009, be required to show their EHIC card in order to access hospital treatment without charge.

If you need to renew your EHIC, or to obtain one, visit: http://www.nhs.uk/healthcareabroad ^[1] or phone 0845 606 2030. 

To receive further information about the cards, ring the EHIC enquiries line on 0845 605 0707.