The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is a free card that gives you access to medically necessary, state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, or the UK (as a GHIC), at the same cost as locally insured residents. It is issued by your home Public health insurance provider and covers care that cannot wait until you return home, with the range of covered services depending on how long you stay. The EHIC is not a replacement for travel insurance, does not cover treatment you travel abroad specifically to receive, and does not guarantee that services are free.
What is the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), and what does it cover?
The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is a free card that gives you access to medically necessary, state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in any of the 27 EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, or the United Kingdom (where it is called a GHIC). You receive care under the same conditions and at the same cost as people insured in that country. In Germany, for example, general doctor visits, specialist visits, 90% of the cost of prescribed medications, surgeries, and necessary hospital stays are generally covered under Public health insurance (GKV), so you can access them at no extra charge. The EHIC is issued by your home Public health insurance provider.
How do I use my EHIC when I need medical care in another country?
Present your EHIC at the hospital or practice — in most countries it is printed on the back of your health insurance card. You will also probably need to complete a form called the "Patient Declaration European Health Insurance," because the EHIC itself cannot be scanned by doctors. If the country you are visiting has more than one public health insurer, you must choose one to process and pay for the services the doctor provides. That insurer then issues the receipt to your home Public health insurance fund, which ultimately pays for the health services you received.
In which situations am I covered by my EHIC, and for how long?
Your EHIC covers you in your temporary country of residence while your permanent country of residence stays in your home country. Your permanent (or habitual) country of residence is where the center of your interests lies — where your work is registered, where your family is, and where your main activities take place. Your insurance always follows your permanent country of residence, so a stay in another EU country generally counts as temporary residence as long as your work and family remain in your home country. The typical cases are:
Vacation or visiting family in another EU country, generally limited to 3 months.
Job seeking in another EU country, generally limited to 6 months.
Studies in another EU country, covered for the whole duration of the studies, and afterward while you are job seeking.
Students can stay on the EHIC for the duration of their studies, and job seekers stay insured in their home country because the length of their stay depends on the success of their job search. In both cases, family and friends remaining in the home country mean it is still considered the permanent country of residence and stays responsible for the insurance.
Which health services can I claim with my EHIC?
The services you can claim depend on how long you stay. Originally the EHIC covered only emergencies, but since a 2010 agreement its benefits were extended to include all care that cannot be postponed until your intended return home. On a short visit you can expect fairly limited coverage, because anything that is not urgent can wait until you are back home. On a longer stay, such as a multi-year course of study, your benefits are broader because more care cannot reasonably be postponed.
What does the EHIC not cover, and what should I keep in mind?
The European Health Insurance Card has several important limits:
It is not an alternative to travel insurance. It does not cover private healthcare or costs such as a return flight to your home country or lost or stolen property.
It does not cover your costs if you are traveling for the express purpose of obtaining medical treatment. An S2 form is needed for that.
It does not guarantee free services. Because each country's healthcare system is different, services that cost nothing at home might not be free in another country.
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.
If you do not have your EHIC with you, you can request a provisional replacement certificate (PRC) from your home Public health insurance provider to prove your entitlement to health services.
Are there countries outside the EU and EEA where similar coverage applies?
Germany has social security agreements with several countries beyond those where the EHIC applies. These are Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey, and Tunisia. If you are insured in one of those countries, you might receive similar benefits when you present the relevant social security document.
What should I check before relying on my EHIC for a longer stay?
Because a habitual country of residence is not strictly defined, the right to keep your home insurance while temporarily living in another country can be misused, so it is worth confirming your coverage in advance. Before a longer stay, we strongly advise you to first check with your home Public health insurance provider whether they will cover you in the country you are traveling to, and to check the rules with the social and health institutions in that country. This matters less for trips under 3 months and more for longer stays. It is also worth reviewing the standard forms for social security rights.