Posted on: May 08, 2013
What is a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
EHIC lets you get state healthcare at a reduced cost or sometimes for free. It covers you for treatment that is needed, to allow you to continue your stay in a European country, until your planned return. It also covers you for treatment of pre-existing medical conditions and for routine maternity care, as long as you're not going abroad to give birth. It is a free card that gives you access to medically necessary, state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in any of the EU countries, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. To be eligible for a card, you must be insured by a state social security system in any of that countries and then, you can obtain your card simply, by contacting your local health authority.
Get the EHIC app!
The European Health Insurance Card app for your smartphone is a guide on how to use the EHIC. It includes general information about the card, emergency phone numbers, covered treatments and costs, how to claim reimbursement and who to contact in case you have lost your card. The app is available in 24 languages with easy option to switch from one language to another. But note that the card cannot be generated or downloaded for use, as that cards are issued free by your national health insurance provider!
Source: ec.europa.eu
