Since Brexit was finalised (January 1, 2021), several important changes have been implemented between the UK and other European countries. One important change is the replacement of the European Health Insurance Card, which is no longer valid for UK citizens. Instead, they will have to apply for a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) to honour the reciprocal agreement between the UK and the EU regarding the health treatment of British citizens while abroad.
What Is a GHIC?
The Global Health Insurance Card (UK GHIC) replaces its predecessor, the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), allowing UK nationals to receive the same medical benefits they had with an EHIC. A GHIC is eligible for all UK citizens who meet the eligibility criteria. Those who already have an existing EHIC are able to use the card until its expiry date. Afterwards, they are required to apply for a GHIC as their previous European Card will no longer be valid.
Who Qualifies for a GHIC?
You qualify for a GHIC if you’re a British citizen and meet the following eligibility criteria:
- You’re a legal citizen of the United Kingdom, and you are not the recipient of healthcare from another EU country or Switzerland.
- You’re a legal resident of an EU country or Switzerland with a valid registration S1, E121, E106 or E109 form issued by the UK (forms that serve as proof of paid healthcare by the NHS if you live in any of the EU countries or Switzerland).
- You’re a legal resident of an EU country or Switzerland, and you have a valid form that proves you pay National Insurance in the UK (A1 certificate issued by the HM Revenue and Customs).
- You are a family member or a dependent of any of the above categories.
How to Get a GHIC?
To get a GHIC, you must apply online at the proper website here. You need to complete the application form online and apply at least six months before your current GHIC or EHIC expires. The application for a new GHIC (or EHIC) is free of charge. Please be aware of fraudulent websites or third-party individuals that ask you to pay a submission fee for a GHIC— they are not government-approved, and the application for a Global Health Insurance Card remains free.
How Long Does It Take to Get a GHIC Card?
Your application for a GHIC takes anywhere from several weeks to several months to finish processing. Due to a recent overload of applications, the processing time is taking longer— the NHS has asked applicants to be patient as they will issue your GHIC as soon as possible.
What If I Don’t Have a GHIC With Me?
If you haven’t received your GHIC and need emergency treatment abroad in an EU country, you can obtain a Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC). You can request a PRC only at the moment of care; you cannot apply for the certificate before you leave the UK. To receive a replacement certificate, please contact the NHSBSA (NHS Business Services Authority).
NHSBSA contact number- +44 (0)191 218 1999.
What Does a GHIC Cover?
A GHIC covers treatment for medically necessary healthcare while in the EU, which includes:
- Emergency treatments and visits to an emergency healthcare centre.
- Treatment for pre-existing or chronic conditions.
- Routine check-ups for pre-existing conditions.
- Routine maternity care— provided that giving birth outside of the country is not your intention.
- Kidney dialysis and oxygen therapy.
Please note that if you suffer from chronic medical conditions and require routine treatment such as chemotherapy, or dialysis, you must pre-arrange treatment abroad before leaving the UK.
Note: In some EU countries and Switzerland, some national healthcare services are not free like with the NHS, and you may be required to pay those out of pocket.
Where Can I Use My GHIC?
Your GHIC is eligible for use in the following countries:
- All EU countries.
- Switzerland (only UK nationals, Swiss nationals and EU citizens, refugees, stateless persons, or a family member of any of these).
Along with your GHIC, you may be asked to provide an identification document or any other official document proving your nationality
Do I Need Travel Insurance With My GHIC?
Yes, you still need travel insurance, even with a GHIC. While your GHIC may cover emergency medical treatment while you are in the EU, it does not cover emergency repatriation or other medical needs, which is why you still need to purchase a valid travel insurance or health insurance policy when you leave the UK.
UK residents applying for a Schengen visa from the UK, must get a Schengen visa insurance policy. For more information read “Buying Schengen Travel Visa Insurance From the UK“.
Do I Need a GHIC as a Student?
You must apply for a student GHIC if you want to study in an EU country. To apply, you need a letter from your university/education provider with the following information:
- Name and address of your UK university if you’re transferring as a part of your course.
- The address of your university in the EU or Switzerland.
- The details of your study course.
- The length of your course and the exact dates when you will enter or leave the EU country.
- Your residential address in the UK.
If information is missing from your university letter, you will be asked to provide additional information.
Please note that currently, you can use your student GHIC only in the EU and Switzerland, but not in Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein. To use your GHIC in any of the latter countries, they must be your country of study.
Important: If you started your study course in another EU country, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, or Switzerland, before January 1, 2021, you may be eligible to use an EHIC in the EU and your country of study.
Can I Still Use My EHIC?
You may be eligible to continue using your EHIC only in the following circumstances:
- You are a legal resident of a country in the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, or Switzerland, and you possess a valid S1 or A1 form issued by the UK before January 21, 2021.
- You’re a national of a country in the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, or Switzerland and have been living in the UK before January 1, 2021, and fall under the withdrawal agreement. You may not be eligible if you’re also a UK national.
- You’re a family member or a dependent of any of the above.
- You’re a Chen or Ibrahim/Teixeira carer.*
If you already have an EHIC but do not fall under any of the above categories, you can continue to use your EHIC until it expires, after which you must apply for a GHIC.
*Chen or Ibrahim/Teixeira carer refers to EU derivative rights of residence. A Chen carer is usually a legal carer of an EEA national child. While Ibrahim/Teixeira refers to the child of an EEA national (worker or farmer) who receives an education in the UK. To understand whether you qualify for any of these categories, you need to contact a legal professional for advice.
What Is a New UK EHIC?
A new UK EHIC is the extension of an already existing EHIC for British citizens eligible to continue applying for and using a European Health Insurance Card (see above for the eligibility criteria).
What Is the Difference Between a GHIC, an EHIC, and a New UK EHIC?
A GHIC, in principle, is the same as an EHIC, as it’s replacing the European Card for British citizens. So, the only difference between the two is that a Global Health Insurance Card is now exclusively issued to only UK nationals when they visit another EU country or Switzerland. On the other hand, a new UK EHIC is issued in only specific cases for those who can continue using their EHIC under the withdrawal agreement.
Here is where your card will cover you depending on which one you possess:
| UK Global Health Insurance Card | New UK European Health Insurance Card | |
| EU countries and Switzerland. | Yes | Yes |
| Norway, Liechtenstein, Iceland. | No | Yes |
| Other countries (with future amendments) | Yes | No |
What If I’m a Dual Citizen?
If you are a dual citizen, i.e., you hold UK and EU, Swiss, Norwegian, Icelandic, or Liechtenstein citizenship, you can receive a new UK EHIC if:
- You obtained British citizenship via naturalisation.
- You were an EU, Swiss, Norwegian, Icelandic, or Liechtenstein citizen before you became a British citizen.
In other cases, you will most likely be required to apply for a GHIC.
People Born in the UK
You’re not eligible for a new UK EHIC even if you’re an EU, Swiss, Norwegian, Icelandic, or Liechtenstein citizen if:
- You were born in the UK to British parents, or
- Parents who settled in the UK and have lived in before January 1, 2021.
- You are an Irish citizen living in Northern Ireland.
You’ll be eligible for a UK GHIC.
People Living in Ireland
You may be able to get a new UK EHIC if you are:
- A state Pensioner from the UK or recipient of other exportable benefits who has lived in the Republic of Ireland before January 1, 2021.
- A frontier worker, i.e., living in another country but working in another (before January 1, 2021).
If you are an Irish citizen and qualify for a new UK EHIC, you cannot apply online for your card— you need to contact the NHS Overseas Healthcare Services.
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