More information can be found under our FAQ ‘What is an EHIC or GHIC card?’.
If you are travelling within the EEA or Switzerland, we strongly recommend that you, and anyone travelling with you, obtain a GHIC, and take it with you. The following countries enable you to use your card abroad:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Republic of Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland (GHIC only)
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein (GHIC only)
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Norway (GHIC only)
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland (UK nationals, Swiss nationals, and EU citizens only)
Please bear in mind that a GHIC is not a replacement for travel insurance, and would not provide cover for repatriation, or for a close relative to stay with you or fly out to be with you. It simply gives you the right to receive discounted, or free, state-funded healthcare and treatment as if you were a resident of the country you’re visiting. The card (which is free) can be applied for on the NHS website.