If you’re travelling within the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you are entitled to free or reduced-cost emergency medical treatment if you have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). The EHIC has replaced the E111 form, which can no longer be used.

The EHIC allows you to be treated on the same basis as a person who is resident in that country. The treatment you are entitled to may not be the same as in the UK. The EHIC can also be used if you need to have on-going treatment while you are abroad, such as regular injections. Every person travelling needs to carry an EHIC. The government recommends that you also buy travel insurance.

You can apply to get a European Health Insurance Card:

• by post, using an application form from your local post office
• by phoning 0845 606 2030
• online at www.ehic.org.uk

If applying by phone you will need to give the name, date of birth and National Insurance or NHS number for each person you are applying for, so it can help to have this information ready. It can take up to three weeks for the EHIC card to arrive if you apply by post. It should be quicker if you apply by phone (up to 10 days) or online (up to seven days). Keep the card safe, preferably with your passport, when you are travelling.

Detailed information about the EHIC is available on the Department of Health website: www.dh.gov.uk/travellers and in the booklet Health Advice for Travellers, which is available from your post office. There is also information on what is involved in getting treatment abroad in each country.

The EHIC is valid in the following countries:

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus (Southern), Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland

Some countries outside Europe have an agreement with the UK to provide emergency medical treatment to people from the UK. You will be treated in the same way as a resident of the country you are in, which may differ from what you’d expect from the NHS. The countries that have an agreement with the UK include: Australia, New Zealand, Gibraltar and Barbados. There is a list of countries and further information about the agreements and what is covered, on the NHS Choices website and in their booklet Health Advice for Travellers. Even in countries where the UK has healthcare agreements, you will need a certain amount of insurance.

In all other countries, including the USA, South America, Africa, most of Asia, and Turkey, you will have to pay the full cost of any healthcare that you have if you become ill. You are strongly advised to take out full medical insurance to cover the cost of any treatment.

From April 2009 a bilateral healthcare agreement between the UK and the Channel Islands ends. All UK citizens visiting the Islands, which includes Jersey, Guernsey, Sark, Alderney and Herm, and any Channel Islanders visiting the UK will need to pay for any healthcare should they become ill or injured. You are advised to arrange adequate travel insurance before your trip.

The high commission, consulate or embassy of the country you are visiting should be able to give you information on the health care services available.

If you need to claim refunds for the cost of healthcare while you are abroad, you need to apply (in person or by post) to the relevant authority in the country you’re visiting. You must enclose the original invoices and documents. If you wait to claim until you have returned to the UK, you should apply to the Pensions and Overseas Benefits Directorate (MED) who will liaise with the authorities of the other countries on your behalf (for contact details see the Health Advice for Travellers booklet, available from post offices). The costs will be refunded from the other country, but this may take a while to arrange.

Keep the names and addresses of friends and relatives with your passport, so that British Consular officials can contact them if their help is needed. If you need to return to the UK quickly, contact British Consular officials. They can usually arrange this for you, but you may need to pay the costs.

The Hospice Information Service can give you information about hospice and palliative care services abroad.

The Blue Badge Scheme allows people with severe walking difficulties or sight impairments to park closer to their destination. It is recognised throughout Europe. The concessions provided vary from country to country however, and may not be the same as in the UK. Further information about the individual country’s parking concessions is available on the Department for Transport website www.dft.gov.uk 

If you currently use a Blue Badge it may be worth taking it with you if you are travelling to Europe by car or intend to hire a car while away. No concessions currently exist in countries outside Europe.

If you’re considering going abroad specifically to have NHS-funded medical treatment, you will first need to discuss your plans with your doctor. Funding will only be given if there is an ‘undue delay’ in receiving care in the UK. Your doctor will refer you to your local health commissioner who will discuss the options available to you. The local health commissioner will vary depending on which country in the UK you come from.

If you are going to a European Economic Area country (including Switzerland) you can apply for NHS funding in two ways – either by applying for an E112 or under Article 49 of the EC Treaty. The local health commissioner will advise you which is the best way depending on the treatment you need. If you’re paying for treatment privately you will not need to apply for funding.

The E112 entitles you to the same state-funded care as a person living in the country you are visiting. This may not be completely free. The E112 is only available where there is a need for specific treatment and is not available on a ‘just in case’ basis.

To get an E112 you need to apply to your local health commissioner. They will need to be sure that:

• a UK NHS consultant has recommended that you be treated abroad
• the treatment is available under the other country’s state health scheme
• the costs of sending you abroad are justified
• you are entitled to NHS care.

If the health commissioner agrees to fund your treatment they will issue an E112.

This whole process can take a number of weeks, and possibly months, to complete. If your local health commissioner refuses to support your application for an E112 you can appeal, but are strongly advised to seek legal advice first. 

Article 49 allows you to apply for reimbursement of costs for planned treatment that you have already received in a European country. The treatment must be one that is available through the NHS. Your local health commissioner can reimburse up to the cost of being treated under the NHS in the UK, which can be used against either state or privately funded treatment. However, you will need to pay for the treatment upfront and claim for reimbursement after the treatment is finished. There is no guarantee that the health commissioner will fund your treatment.