GHIC & EHIC · NHS rules
A UK GHIC gets you state healthcare in Europe and a few other places on the same terms as locals. It won't fly you home, pay for a private clinic or cover a ski rescue. Check your destination.
Updated 6 October 2026 · Figures sourced and linkedCountry checker
The GHIC covers medically necessary state treatment, the kind that can't reasonably wait until you're home, in the EU and in Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein (where reciprocal arrangements began on 1 January 2024). Switzerland has extra conditions, and a handful of other places have their own agreements (NHS).
Medically necessary state healthcare on the same terms as a local resident. That can still mean paying what a local would pay.
GHIC vs insurance
| Cost | GHIC | Travel insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Necessary state treatment (EEA) | ✓ local terms | ✓ |
| Private hospital or clinic | ✗ | ✓ |
| Repatriation to the UK | ✗ | ✓ |
| Mountain or ski rescue | ✗ | ✓ with add-on |
| Extra travel and accommodation | ✗ | ✓ |
| Cancellation, baggage, money | ✗ | ✓ |
| Countries outside the list | ✗ | ✓ |
From the NHS and FCDO. Insurance cover depends on your policy.
Use both
Your policy wording may ask you to use your GHIC in Europe where you can, and some policies reduce the excess if you do: check yours. Take the card, your policy number and the 24-hour emergency line with you.
Outside the list, there's no state safety net: the FCDO's example of a hospital stay in the USA is over £150,000. Check what your trip needs →
Questions
Sources
We use primary sources only: the ABI, regulators, the NHS and government. Figures were checked on 6 October 2026. Spot something out of date? The source link is the fastest way to check.
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