GHIC Card: What It Is, How to Get Yours Free, and Why You Still Need Travel Insurance
Millions of UK travellers still carry an old blue EHIC card they haven't touched since before Brexit — only to discover at a foreign hospital that it no longer works. The GHIC card is its replacement: a free NHS card that gives UK residents access to state healthcare in EU countries.
If you're travelling to Europe in the near future, this guide covers everything you need to know before you pack: what the GHIC covers, exactly how to get one, where it works, and why you should never rely on it alone.
What is a GHIC card?
The Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) is a free card issued by the NHS Business Services Authority. It entitles UK residents to receive state-provided, medically necessary healthcare in EU countries at the same cost as local residents — which in some countries means free treatment, and in others means a reduced co-payment rather than the full uninsured rate.
The GHIC was introduced after Brexit to replace the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for most UK residents. It works on the same basic principle as the old EHIC, though there are some important differences in where it applies (more on that below).
It is entirely free to apply for through the official NHS route. Any website charging a fee to process a GHIC application is unnecessary — avoid it and apply directly through the NHS Business Services Authority.
What does the GHIC cover?
"Medically necessary" treatment is the key phrase. The GHIC covers healthcare you genuinely need during your trip — not treatment you've specifically travelled abroad to receive.
In practical terms, that includes:
- Emergency treatment following an accident or sudden illness
- Treatment for a pre-existing medical condition that requires attention while you are away
- Routine maternity care if you travel while pregnant (though check in advance with the relevant country's health service if you're close to your due date)
- Ongoing treatment for chronic conditions such as kidney dialysis — though you should contact the relevant country's health authority before you travel to confirm arrangements
The GHIC means you're treated on the same basis as a local resident at a state-run facility. You present your card and your entitlement is recognised. In countries where residents pay a percentage of costs, you'll pay that percentage too — you're not necessarily exempt from all charges, but you won't be charged as an uninsured foreign visitor.
What the GHIC does not cover
This is where many travellers get caught out. The GHIC leaves significant gaps, and treating it as a substitute for travel insurance is a costly mistake.
The GHIC does not cover:
- Private healthcare — if you're treated at a private hospital or clinic, the GHIC makes no difference whatsoever to your bill
- Medical repatriation — flying you home when you're too unwell to travel on a commercial flight can cost tens of thousands of pounds; the GHIC covers none of this
- Cancellation before departure — if illness or injury prevents you from travelling at all, the GHIC is irrelevant
- Curtailment costs — cutting your trip short due to a medical emergency and returning home early
- Non-medical losses such as lost luggage, delayed flights, or theft
- Treatment in countries outside the EU
The distinction matters most for serious incidents. If you have a significant accident abroad, the GHIC might reduce the cost of your initial hospital treatment. But the expense of specialist aftercare, extended hospitalisation, or being flown home with a medical escort is where bills escalate into life-changing amounts — and all of that falls entirely outside the GHIC's scope.
Which countries does the GHIC cover?
The GHIC applies in EU member states. That currently includes Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.
It is important to note that the GHIC does not cover Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, or Switzerland. These countries are not EU members, and while some of them have separate bilateral health agreements with the UK, these are distinct from the GHIC scheme. If you're travelling to any of these destinations, check the UK Government's travel health guidance for that specific country before you go — and do not assume any entitlement applies without confirming it.
Outside Europe, the GHIC has no application at all. Any healthcare costs in the US, Caribbean, Asia, or elsewhere must be covered by travel insurance.
GHIC versus EHIC: what changed after Brexit?
Before the UK left the EU, residents held a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), issued under EU rules, which applied across all EU countries plus Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland.
Since Brexit, new applicants receive a GHIC rather than an EHIC. The core function is similar for EU countries, but two differences are worth understanding:
- The GHIC does not cover Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, or Switzerland. The EHIC did. If you need healthcare cover in these countries, check the specific bilateral agreements that now apply.
- Some pre-Brexit EHICs may remain valid until their expiry date, but this is not automatic and depends on your individual circumstances. Do not assume your old EHIC is still accepted — check via the NHS Business Services Authority before travelling.
If you have a blue EHIC in a drawer somewhere, it is worth verifying whether it is still valid. If it isn't, or if you're unsure, apply for a GHIC. The process takes only a few minutes and there is no reason to delay.
How to apply for a GHIC
Applications are made online through the NHS Business Services Authority. Search "apply for GHIC" on GOV.UK and follow the link to the official application — do not apply through any third-party website that charges a fee.
You will need:
- Your full name and date of birth
- Your home address
- Your NHS number, if you have one (it appears on your NHS App, on prescriptions, or in letters from your GP — though you may be able to apply without it)
Each person in your family requires their own card. Children need their own GHIC too. A family of four travelling together needs four separate applications.
Once approved, the physical card arrives by post — allow a couple of weeks to be safe, and apply well before your departure date. You can also access a digital version of your GHIC through the NHS App, which is useful as a backup if your card hasn't arrived in time or you forget to pack it.
The GHIC is typically valid for five years. You should receive a renewal reminder when it approaches expiry.
GHIC and travel insurance: do you need both?
Yes — and we'd strongly encourage every traveller heading to Europe to have both.
The GHIC and travel insurance do different jobs, and neither is a substitute for the other. The GHIC reduces the cost of state healthcare treatment in the EU. Travel insurance covers the costs that the GHIC ignores entirely: repatriation, cancellation, curtailment, personal liability, lost belongings, and more.
Medical repatriation is the clearest example of where travel insurance becomes critical. If a serious illness or accident leaves you unable to fly home commercially, an air ambulance with medical staff can cost sums that most people could not absorb privately. A comprehensive travel insurance policy should cover repatriation — the GHIC will not contribute anything.
Pre-existing medical conditions deserve particular attention. If you have a condition that requires ongoing management, make sure your travel insurance policy covers it, and that you declare it accurately. Insurers handle pre-existing conditions differently, so comparing policies before you buy is worth the time. Having a valid GHIC alongside your policy adds another layer of practical protection for state-provided treatment.
Some travel insurers factor in whether you hold a valid GHIC when calculating your premium, since the card reduces their potential outlay for routine EU healthcare costs. Whether this applies varies between providers — it's worth asking when you compare policies.
The most important point: do not travel without both. The GHIC is free and takes minutes to obtain. Travel insurance is the safety net that matters when costs become serious.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use my GHIC card in Turkey, the United States, or other non-EU countries?
No. The GHIC only applies in EU member states. For all other destinations, you must rely entirely on your travel insurance for any healthcare costs. Some countries have separate bilateral health agreements with the UK — check the NHS and UK Government travel guidance for your specific destination before you go — but do not assume any cover exists without confirming it for your circumstances.
What should I do if I need medical treatment abroad but don't have my GHIC with me?
Without your GHIC, you may be charged at the full uninsured rate by a state facility. Keep all receipts and documentation, as your travel insurer may be able to reimburse eligible costs depending on your policy. You may also be able to apply for a Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC) from the NHS while you are abroad, which can provide equivalent cover in the short term — check the NHS Business Services Authority website for how to request one.
My old EHIC card hasn't expired yet — do I still need a GHIC?
It depends on your individual situation. Some EHICs issued before Brexit do remain valid until their expiry date, but this is not universal and depends on factors including your residency status and when the card was issued. The safest approach is to verify your EHIC's current validity via the NHS Business Services Authority before you travel. If there is any doubt, apply for a GHIC — it is free, quick, and removes all uncertainty.