What Is a GHIC Card and Who Can Apply?

The GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card) is an official health card issued to UK residents that gives you access to state-provided healthcare when travelling in EU countries. It is the UK’s replacement for the EHIC(European Health Insurance Card) following Brexit.

It is not travel insurance — but it works alongside it, significantly reducing costs if you need medical attention abroad.

Before Brexit, UK residents carried an EHIC card issued under EU membership. When the UK left the EU, a new agreement was reached to   introduce the GHIC for UK residents. It is not travel insurance — but it works alongside it, significantly reducing costs if you need medical attention abroad.

Key points:

  • If your EHIC is still valid, it continues to work until expiry

  • When it expires, you must replace it with a GHIC

  • New applicants should apply for a GHIC directly

Your GHIC card gives you access to medically necessary healthcare at the same cost as a local resident in the country you’re visiting. This includes:

• Emergency medical treatment
• Visits to GPs and clinics
• Treatment for pre-existing conditions
• Maternity care (not planned births abroad)
• Oxygen and kidney dialysis (must be pre-booked)
• Accident or injury treatment during your trip

What it does NOT cover:

  • Private healthcare

  • Medical repatriation (being brought back to the UK)

  • Non-urgent elective treatment  

• Lost or stolen belongings

This is why travel insurance is still recommended alongside your GHIC.

Your GHIC is valid in all EU member states:
• Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal,   Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden.
Some countries have separate reciprocal healthcare agreements with the UK— check the latest guidance if travelling outside the EU.

You are eligible to apply if you meet all of the following:
✓ You are ordinarily resident in the UK

  ✓ You have a valid UK National Insurance number

  ✓ You are a UK citizen, EU/EEA citizen living in the UK, or a person with settled or pre-settled status

You can apply for yourself and include family members — including children — on the same application.

GHIC cards are typically valid for up to 5 years from the date of issue. Children’s cards may have shorter validity periods depending on their age at the time of application. You should renew your card before it expires — don’t wait until you’re   about to travel.

Yes. A single application can cover you and up to 10 family members. Each person will receive their own individual card, as the GHIC is issued per   person, not per household.

This is one of the most common sources of confusion — make sure every family member is included in your application, including children.

You will need the following for each applicant:

• Full legal name

  • Date of birth

  • National Insurance number

  • NHS number (if available)

  • Full UK home address

  • Email address for confirmation

You can apply through our service and we’ll handle your entire application for you — reviewing your details, submitting everything correctly, and making sure nothing gets missed.