Travellers from the UK heading to European countries are advised to check their health insurance before going on holiday as a result of Brexit rules. Brits going to EU countries or Switzerland should either hold a UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).
Since the UK is no longer part of the EU, Britons and EU nationals are subject to different rules when planning to travel to each other’s territories, and at the same time, even though non-EU citizens living in the UK are also able to get a GHIC, they may also be required to get Schengen Travel Insurance.
The Department of Health and Social Care stressed in a statement that, “An EHIC or GHIC is not a replacement for travel insurance. Make sure you have both before you travel,”
Holding a GHIC means that Brits are eligible to get state healthcare, not private treatment, in European countries for the same cost as a resident in the country you’re visiting. This means that you can get healthcare at a reduced cost or for free, depending on where you are travelling to.
However, those who still hold an EHIC, replaced by the GHIC, which is still in date, are not required to apply for a new GHIC before it expires after the EHIC continues to be accepted.
It has been emphasized that an EHIC or GHIC does not serve as a replacement for travel insurance, after it does not cover everything, such as mountain rescue or being flown back to the United Kingdom as part of medical repatriation.
Travellers are urged to hold an EHIC, GHIC, or Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC) if their card has been lost or stolen, as they will be required to pay in full for their treatment if they don’t.
