Health cover for temporary stays
As an EU citizen, if you unexpectedly fall ill during a temporary stay in another EU country - whether on holiday, a business trip or studying abroad - you are entitled to any medical treatment that can't wait until you get home. You have the same rights to health care as people insured in the country you are staying in.
You should always take your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) with you on all trips abroad. This card is the proof that you are insured in an EU country.
If you don't have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), or you can't use it (for instance, for private health care), you can't be refused treatment, but you might have to pay for your treatment upfront and claim reimbursement once you get home.
Applying for the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
In some countries the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is issued together with the national health card. In other countries, you need to apply for it.
You should not have to pay anything for your EHIC. You should get it for free from your health insurer before leaving home.
Warning
Some rogue websites ask you to pay to order your European Health Insurance Card with them. Never use these sites: instead contact your health insurer directly.
Make sure you check with your health insurer how far your health insurance covers your family members.
Find out more about the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) in:
Choose country
Please note that the European Commission is not responsible for the content of external websites.
Restrictions on the use of your European Health Insurance Card
- Nationals from non-EU countries cannot use their EHIC for medical treatment in Denmark, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, unless they are refugees residing in an EU member state or are covered as family members of an EU citizen.
- Your EHIC will not help you with rescue and repatriation - for transport home after falling seriously ill or after having an accident while visiting another EU country, you will need separate insurance cover.
- Your EHIC does not cover private healthcare. You can only use it for healthcare from providers that are part of the public system.
- Your EHIC does not cover planned treatment in another EU country.
Sample story
Take out extra insurance for travel risks
Sven, a Swedish national, went to France on a skiing trip. On the second day of his holiday he hurt his knee skiing downhill and had to be rescued off the mountain by French rescue services. When he got home, he received a large bill for the cost of his rescue. Sven had to pay the bill in full, as search and rescue costs are not covered by the European Health Insurance Card.