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If you’re hoping to visit Europe in 2021, you may be wondering if you’ll need to pack your EHIC (European Health Insurance Card). Carrying this little blue card with you on your holiday would give you access to free state-provided medical treatment should you fall ill or have an accident while on holiday in any EU country (along with Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein).
As of 1 January 2021, the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) replaced the EHIC. You can read more about the new GHIC here.
However, the Government confirmed all EHIC cards issued before 2021 will still be valid until their expiry date. After this point, you will need to apply for a GHIC. If you don’t have a GHIC or valid EHIC card, you can apply for a GHIC card on the NHS website.
As long as you have access to a GHIC or valid EHIC, UK travellers will be eligible for free or reduced cost emergency medical treatment when travelling in Europe.
The UK government recommends that all holidaymakers arrange travel insurance with healthcare cover before they travel to Europe, just as you would if you were travelling elsewhere.
It is especially important for anyone travelling with pre-existing medical conditions to find a specialist insurer that will cover their specific health needs.
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Data covers 2005 to 2020You can declare your medical conditions through our online medical screening process, which is a straightforward set of questions for us to understand how your medical condition affects you. Or, if you prefer, you can complete the medical screening over the phone.
It’s important that all pre-existing conditions are declared on your medical travel insurance.
This will avoid large medical bills if you need treatment in another country. Failure to disclose any pre-existing medical conditions may affect the validity of your policy should you need to claim.
| Basic | Comprehensive |
|---|---|
| Medical emergencies and repatriation | |
| Up to £5 million | Unlimited |
| Cancellation | |
| Up to £500 | Up to £5,000 |
| Cutting your holiday short | |
| Up to £500 | Up to £5,000 |
| Baggage claims | |
| Up to £300 | Up to £2,500 |
| Cash lost or stolen | |
| Up to £250 | Up to £500 |
| Personal liability | |
| - | Up to £2 million |
| Legal protection cover | |
| - | Up to £25,000 |
| End Supplier Failure | |
| - | £3,000 |
| Excess | |
| £85-£100 | £65 |
| Basic | Comprehensive | |
|---|---|---|
| Medical emergencies and repatriation | Up to £5 million | Unlimited |
| Cancellation | Up to £500 | Up to £5,000 |
| Cutting your holiday short | Up to £500 | Up to £5,000 |
| Baggage claims | Up to £300 | Up to £2,500 |
| Cash lost or stolen | Up to £250 | Up to £500 |
| Personal liability | - | Up to £2 million |
| Legal protection cover | - | Up to £25,000 |
| End Supplier Failure | - | £3,000 |
| Excess | £85-£100 | £65 |
* Winner of the British Travel Awards 2016-2020
Based on more Trustpilot reviews than any other travel insurance provider.
