A UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) gives eligible UK residents access to medically necessary state-provided healthcare when visiting participating countries.
Depending on the country, treatment may be free or you may need to pay the same charges as someone who lives there.
A GHIC is free to apply for and normally lasts for up to five years.
Important: A GHIC does not replace travel insurance. We recommend carrying both a valid GHIC, where applicable, and appropriate travel insurance.
A Global Health Insurance Card allows eligible UK residents to access medically necessary state healthcare during a temporary visit to participating countries.
This means treatment that cannot reasonably wait until you return to the UK.
For example, a GHIC may help you access:
Emergency medical treatment.
Hospital treatment and visits to A&E.
Medically necessary treatment for an existing health condition.
Routine maternity care, provided you have not travelled specifically to give birth.
Certain ongoing treatments, such as kidney dialysis or chemotherapy.
Some treatments must be arranged with the overseas healthcare provider before travelling.
Whether treatment is medically necessary is determined by the healthcare provider in the country you're visiting.
You can apply for a free GHIC through the official NHS website.
To apply:
Visit the official NHS GHIC application page.
Select the option to apply for a GHIC.
Enter your personal details.
Provide any additional information required to verify your eligibility.
Submit your application.
Once approved, your card will be posted to your registered address.
You'll normally need to provide:
Your full name.
Your home address.
Your date of birth.
Your National Insurance number.
Your Health and Care number, if you're from Northern Ireland.
The application is free.
Avoid unofficial websites that charge you to apply for a GHIC. You do not need to pay a third-party provider.
Most people who are ordinarily and legally resident in the UK and meet the applicable eligibility requirements can apply for a GHIC.
Eligibility is generally based on UK residency and healthcare entitlement, rather than British nationality alone.
Some people living overseas may also qualify under particular arrangements.
The NHS will check your eligibility during the application process and may request additional documents.
Yes. Each family member needs their own card, including children.
You can apply for your spouse, civil partner and children as part of your application.
For example, if two adults and two children are travelling together, each person should have their own valid card.
You should apply for any additional family members when prompted during the application process.
A GHIC can take up to 15 working days to arrive after your application has been approved.
The NHS will contact you if additional information is required.
We recommend applying well before your departure date to allow time for processing and delivery.
A GHIC is normally valid for up to five years.
You can apply to renew your card up to nine months before it expires.
A UK GHIC can be used in EU countries and certain other participating countries or territories.
These currently include:
European Union countries.
Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.
Switzerland, subject to eligibility conditions.
Montenegro.
Australia, where the GHIC can be used as evidence when accessing Medicare.
Certain UK Crown Dependencies and overseas territories.
The arrangements and eligibility requirements differ by destination.
Always check the official NHS country list before travelling, as the countries where a GHIC can be used may change.
Check where you can use your GHIC or EHIC
Some countries outside the GHIC scheme also have separate reciprocal healthcare agreements with the UK.
Find out about UK reciprocal healthcare agreements
If you need medically necessary healthcare in a participating country:
Attend an appropriate state healthcare provider.
Present your valid GHIC when requested.
Explain that you are visiting from the UK.
Follow the local healthcare provider's instructions.
Keep any medical paperwork, invoices and receipts.
Make sure you're using a provider that accepts the GHIC.
Private healthcare providers may not participate in the relevant state healthcare arrangements.
You may still need to pay certain charges that local residents are required to pay.
Not necessarily.
A GHIC generally allows you to receive eligible state healthcare on the same basis as someone insured under the healthcare system of the country you're visiting.
Depending on the destination, this could mean:
Treatment is free.
Treatment is available at a reduced cost.
You pay the same patient contribution as a local resident.
Some countries require payment upfront, even when you're entitled to healthcare under the GHIC scheme.
Keep receipts and other relevant documentation if you pay for treatment.
You may be able to obtain a Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC).
A PRC provides temporary evidence of your entitlement to medically necessary state healthcare.
It can help if:
You've forgotten your GHIC.
Your card has been lost or stolen.
Your GHIC application has been approved but the card hasn't arrived.
You need eligible medical treatment while abroad and cannot present your card.
A PRC is intended for situations where you need treatment abroad.
You cannot apply for a PRC in advance of needing treatment.
To request a PRC, visit the official NHSBSA service:
Apply for temporary healthcare cover abroad
You may need:
Your full name, address and date of birth.
Your National Insurance number, if known.
Details of the hospital or healthcare provider treating you.
The provider's contact details.
From the UK: 0191 218 1999
From abroad: +44 191 218 1999
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00am–6:00pm UK time.
If you need immediate emergency treatment, don't delay seeking medical help while arranging a PRC.
Yes, if you have a valid UK-issued EHIC that hasn't expired.
You can continue using it in participating countries until the expiry date shown on the card.
Once it expires, most UK residents will need to apply for a GHIC.
Some people with rights under the Withdrawal Agreement may still qualify for a new UK EHIC.
GHIC and EHIC cards provide similar healthcare entitlements, but the countries where they can be used are not always identical.
Check GHIC and EHIC eligibility
A GHIC does not cover every healthcare or travel-related expense.
For example, it does not provide cover for:
Medical repatriation: Returning you to the UK because of illness or injury.
Private healthcare: Treatment outside the participating state healthcare system.
Rescue services: Such as mountain or ski rescue where these are not covered by local healthcare arrangements.
Patient contributions: Charges that local residents must normally pay.
Planned treatment abroad: Healthcare you specifically travel overseas to receive.
Non-medical travel expenses: Such as lost baggage, holiday cancellation or disruption.
This is why appropriate travel insurance remains important.
No.
You do not need a GHIC or EHIC for your CoverForYou emergency medical cover to apply.
However, we strongly recommend carrying one when travelling somewhere it can be used.
Your CoverForYou insurance may cover eligible emergency medical expenses that fall outside GHIC arrangements, including medically necessary repatriation, subject to your policy terms.
How Much Emergency Medical Cover Do I Have and Do I Need a GHIC or EHIC?
A GHIC can provide access to medically necessary state healthcare for existing medical conditions during an eligible visit.
However, this is separate from your travel insurance.
If you have a relevant pre-existing medical condition, you must declare it to CoverForYou during medical screening when purchasing your policy.
If we offer cover and you purchase the policy on the terms quoted, your declared and accepted medical conditions will be covered in accordance with those terms.
Having a GHIC does not remove your responsibility to declare relevant medical conditions to your travel insurer.
If you're admitted to hospital as an inpatient, contact our Emergency Medical Assistance Service as soon as possible.
24-hour Emergency Medical Assistance
Telephone: +44 (0)330 123 2370
Available: 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
The assistance team should also be contacted before arrangements are made for medical repatriation.
If you need immediate medical treatment, contact the local emergency services first.
How Do I Get Medical Help or Emergency Assistance Abroad?
Important: All cover is subject to the policy terms, conditions, exclusions, cover limits and any applicable excess.
