If you are travelling within the European Union (plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and 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 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 British Government recommends that as well as having a EHIC, you also buy travel insurance.

You can apply to a European Health Insurance Card:

• by post, using an application form that you get 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 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, Cyprus (Southern), Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, 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 be less than you would 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 Department of Health website www.dh.gov.uk/travellers 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.

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 are going to a European Union country (plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland), specifically to have medical treatment, you will need to apply for an E112. This has to be authorised by the Department of Health (or its equivalent in Northern Ireland). Form E112 is only available where there is a need for specific treatment and is not available on a ‘just in case’ basis. If you are paying for treatment privately you will not need an E112.

To apply for an E112 you need to write to your local primary care trust (PCT) explaining why you want to be treated abroad. You will need to enclose a letter from your consultant explaining why they feel you should be treated abroad. If the PCT agrees to fund your treatment, they will send both letters to the Department of Health who will decide whether to issue an E112 or not.

This whole process can take a number of weeks, and possibly months, to complete. If your PCT refuses to support your application for an E112 you can apply directly to the Department of Health. If you are not happy with the Department of Health’s decision you can appeal, but are strongly advised to seek legal advice first.

If you need to claim refunds for the cost of healthcare abroad, you need to apply (in person or by post) to the relevant authority in the country you are visiting. You must enclose the original invoices and documents. If you wait to claim once 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.