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GHIC Card for Students Studying in Europe — The Essential Guide

  Heading to Europe for a semester, a year abroad, or a full degree? Your GHIC card isn’t just for holidays — it’s essential cover for the entire time you’re there.

  If you’re studying in Europe for months at a time, your exposure topotential medical situations is much higher than a two-week holiday. Routine illness, sports injuries, dental emergencies, prescription medication — all of these can arise during a long stay.

  Without a GHIC, every GP visit or prescription is paid at private rates.

What Does the GHIC Cover for Students?

Everything the standard card covers — but during extended stays it’s especially valuable for:

  • Ongoing treatment for pre-existing conditions

  • Prescription medications at local rates

  • GP and clinic visits for routine illness

  • Emergency and hospital treatment.

Is the GHIC Enough for Students Abroad?

  For healthcare, yes — but you should also have comprehensive student travel or international health insurance. Some universities abroad require proof of insurance as a condition of enrolment. Check with your institution before you go.

Can My Parents Apply on My Behalf?

  Yes. If you’re a student with a UK address, your parents can include you in a family application or apply on your behalf through our service.

How Long Will My GHIC Last?

  Up to 5 years — so if you’re starting a 3 or 4 year course, a single GHIC card should cover your entire studies.

Apply Before You Go

  Don’t wait until you arrive in your host country. Apply now so your card arrives before you leave.

GHIC Card Processing Time — What to Expect

  One of the most common questions we get is: how long will my GHIC card take? Here’s what you need to know.

Standard Processing

Processing times vary depending on application volume and postal delivery. The key is not to leave your application until the week before you travel.

  Our advice: apply as soon as you book your trip. That way there’s no pressure and no risk of your card not arriving in time.

Priority Processing

  Our priority processing option ensures your application is handled and submitted at the front of the queue. This is the right choice if:

  • Your trip is coming up soon

  • You only just realised you don’t have a valid card

  • Your EHIC has recently expired

  • You need a replacement for a lost or stolen card urgently

Factors That Can Affect Processing Time

  • Errors or missing information on the application (we check for these)

  • High application volumes at peak travel periods (summer, school holidays)

  • Postal delivery times once the card has been issued

Submitting your application through our service reduces the risk of errors that cause delays — we review everything before submission.

What to Do If You’re Travelling Very Soon

  If you’re departing within days and don’t have a GHIC, apply immediately with priority processing. In the meantime:

  • Make sure your travel insurance is in place — this is your primary cover if the card doesn’t arrive in time

  • Keep your application confirmation as evidence of your application

Apply Now

  Don’t leave it to the last minute. Apply today and travel with confidence.

Travelling to Europe from the UK? You Need a GHIC Card

  Whether you’re heading to Spain for two weeks or France for a long weekend, your GHIC card is one of the most important things to pack. Here’s why — and what happens if you don’t have one.

What Could Go Wrong Without a GHIC?

  Medical emergencies abroad are more common than people think. A broken bone, a sudden illness, a child’s high fever — any of these could land you in a European hospital.

 Without a GHIC, you’re treated as a private patient. In countries like France and Spain, this means paying full private rates upfront. A singlenight in a Spanish hospital as a private patient can cost £500 or more.

  Major surgery could run into tens of thousands.With a GHIC, you pay the same as a local resident — often nothing foremergency treatment.

Which Countries Can I Use the GHIC In?

  All 27 EU member states, including the most popular UK holiday destinations:

  • Spain (including the Canary Islands and Balearic Islands)

  • France (including French overseas departments)

  • Italy

  • Greece (including Greek islands)

  • Portugal

  • Germany

  • Netherlands

  • Croatia

  • And all remaining EU member states

  Note: the GHIC does not cover Turkey, Morocco, the USA, or non-EU countries.

Is the GHIC Enough on Its Own?

  No — and this is important. The GHIC only covers state healthcare. It doesn’t cover:

  • Being flown home to the UK (repatriation)

  • Private hospital treatment

  • Cancellations, lost luggage, or delays

  • Non-emergency treatment you chose to travel for

  Travel insurance covers all of that. Think of them as a pair — both are essential, they cover completely different things.

When Should I Apply?

  As early as possible. Don’t wait until the week before your holiday.

  Apply when you book your trip so your card has time to arrive.

  If you’ve left it late, use our priority processing option for faster handling.

One Application, Whole Family

  Going away as a family? Make sure every family member has their own card — including children. You can include up to 10 people in one application through our service.

Get Your GHIC Card Before You Travel

GHIC Card for Families — The Complete Parent’s Guide

  Sorting travel health cards for the whole family before a holiday can feel like a logistical headache. Here’s everything you need to know to get GHIC cards for every family member — quickly and correctly.

Does Every Family Member Need Their Own GHIC Card?

  Yes. The GHIC is issued per person, not per household. Every individual — including children — needs their own card.

  This is one of the most common mistakes families make. Don’t assume yourcard covers your kids.

Can I Apply for the Whole Family at Once?

  Yes — and it’s the most efficient way to do it. Our service allows you to include up to 10 family members in a single application. You fill in the details for each person once, and we handle the rest.

What Do I Need for Children’s Applications?

For each child, you’ll need:

  • Full legal name (as on their passport or birth certificate)

  • Date of birth

  • NHS number (if known)

  • National Insurance number (for children old enough to have one)

  • Your home address

  Younger children who don’t yet have a National Insurance number can still apply — the NHS number is used for their application instead.

How Long Is a Child’s GHIC Valid?

  Children’s cards are typically valid for a shorter period than adult cards, depending on their age at the time of application. Check the   expiry date on the card when it arrives and renew in good time.

What Does the GHIC Cover for Children?

  The same as for adults — emergency treatment, GP visits, treatment for pre-existing conditions, and medically necessary care in all EU member states. Children are covered on an equal basis.

Tips for Family Travel Health Cover

  • Apply for all cards at the same time — don’t leave any family member out

  • Keep a digital photo of each card on your phone as backup

  • Check expiry dates before every trip

  • Get travel insurance too — the GHIC doesn’t cover repatriation or private treatment

Apply for Your Whole Family Now

Fill in our form once and we’ll handle the applications for everyone.

Lost or Stolen GHIC Card? Here’s How to Get a Replacement

  Losing your GHIC card — especially just before a trip — is stressful. Here’s what you need to do and how to get a replacement as quicklyas possible.

Don’t Panic — Replacements Are Straightforward

  Losing a GHIC card doesn’t mean you’re stuck. Replacement applications follow the same process as a new application. The key is acting quickly, especially if you have travel coming up.

Step 1: Check Whether You’re Actually Travelling Soon

  If you have a trip within the next few weeks, use our priority processing option to get your replacement application submitted immediately If you have more time, standard processing is fine — but don’t leave it too long. You want your replacement card in hand before you travel.

Step 2: Apply for a Replacement

  Select the “Replace lost/stolen/damaged card” option on our applicationform. You’ll need the same information as a new application:

  • Full name

  • Date of birth

  • National Insurance number

  • NHS number (if available)

  • Full UK address

  • Email address

  You do not need your old card number to apply for a replacement.

Step 3: Keep Proof of Application

  Once you’ve submitted your replacement application, keep a copy of your confirmation. If you need emergency healthcare abroad before your new card arrives, you may be able to use this as supporting evidence — though this varies by country.

What If I’m Already Abroad and I’ve Lost My Card?

  If you’re already in an EU country and need medical care without your GHIC, contact the local health authority or hospital directly. Many EU

  countries can verify your entitlement through the system even without the physical card.

  You can also contact the UK government’s emergency travel helpline.

  For future trips, having a digital photo of your GHIC on your phone is a useful backup.

What About a Damaged Card?

  Same process — apply for a replacement using the “damaged card” option. If your card is damaged to the point where it can’t be read, treat it as lost and apply immediately.

Replace Your GHIC Card Now

What Does the GHIC Card Cover? Full Guide for UK Travellers

  Before you travel to Europe, it’s worth understanding exactly what your GHIC card does — and doesn’t — cover. Here’s the full breakdown.

What the GHIC Covers

Your GHIC entitles you to medically necessary state healthcare in EU countries at the same cost as a local resident. That means:

Emergency Treatment

  Any medical emergency — accidents, sudden illness, injuries — is covere at state hospitals and clinics. You won’t be turned away and you won’t be charged more than a local would pay.

GP and Hospital Visits

  Need to see a doctor while abroad? Your GHIC covers state GP appointments and outpatient hospital visits for necessary care.

  If you have a long-term or chronic condition — diabetes, heart disease, epilepsy, asthma — the GHIC covers treatment related to it while you’re away. You don’t need to be in an emergency situation.

Maternity Care

  Urgent maternity care is covered, including situations that arise unexpectedly during travel. Planned births abroad are not included.

Prescriptions

  In many EU countries, the GHIC reduces the cost of prescription medication to the local resident rate.

Where It’s Valid

  Your GHIC works in all 27 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.

What the GHIC Does NOT Cover

  It’s equally important to know the limits:

  ✗ Private hospitals or clinics

  ✗ Medical repatriation (flying you back to the UK)

  ✗ Non-urgent or elective treatment you travel specifically to receive

  ✗ Lost or stolen belongings

  ✗ Holiday cancellations

  ✗ Travel to non-EU countries (e.g. Turkey, Morocco, USA)

  This is why you should always have travel insurance alongside your GHIC — they cover very different things.

GHIC vs Travel Insurance — Do I Need Both?

  Yes. They complement each other:

  • GHIC → covers your healthcare costs at state facilities abroad

  • Travel insurance → covers repatriation, private treatment, cancellation,

    lost luggage, and everything else

  Having both means you’re properly protected. Neither alone is sufficient.

Get Your GHIC Before You Travel

Two cards, similar names, and a lot of confusion. If you’re not sure whether you need a GHIC or EHIC — or whether your old card still works — this guide clears it all up.

The One-Line Answer

  The EHIC was the old European health card for UK residents when we were in the EU. The GHIC is its replacement after Brexit. Same core purpose, slightly different scope.

What Was the EHIC?

  The European Health Insurance Card was issued to residents of EU member states. Before Brexit, UK residents could get one free of charge and use it to access state healthcare across Europe.

  residents under the EU scheme.

What Is the GHIC?

  The Global Health Insurance Card is the UK’s post-Brexit replacement, introduced under the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement. It gives UK residents the same essential healthcare access in EU countries that the EHIC provided.

Key Differences

  Coverage area:

  • EHIC: EU countries + Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein

  • GHIC: EU countries only (separate agreements cover some EEA countries)

  Who it’s issued to:

  • EHIC: EU residents (including UK residents pre-Brexit)

  • GHIC: UK residents post-Brexit

Current status:

  • EHIC: Still valid until expiry if you have one

  • GHIC: The current card for new applications

  Everything else — emergency cover, pre-existing conditions, maternity care, GP visits — is essentially the same.

Does My Old EHIC Still Work?

  Yes. If your EHIC hasn’t expired, it’s still valid and accepted in EU countries. You don’t need to replace it until it runs out.

Once it expires, apply for a GHIC.

Which One Do I Need?

  • Have a valid EHIC → keep using it, apply for GHIC before it expires

  • Have an expired EHIC → apply for a GHIC now

  • Never had either → apply for a GHIC

Get Your GHIC Sorted Today

How to Apply for a GHIC Card in 2025 — Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Planning a trip to Europe? Your GHIC card is one of the most important things to sort before you go. Here’s exactly how to get one — and what you need to know before you start.

What Is the GHIC Card?

  The GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card) gives UK residents access to state-provided healthcare when travelling in EU countries. It’s the post-Brexit replacement for the EHIC card and covers everything from emergency treatment to GP visits and care for pre-existing conditions.

  Without it, even a minor medical issue abroad could cost you hundreds — or thousands — of pounds.

Who Can Apply?

You’re eligible for a GHIC if:

  • You ordinarily live in the UK

  • You have a valid National Insurance number

  • You are a UK citizen, or an EU/EEA citizen with settled or pre-settled status in the UK

  Children can also be included — every family member needs their own individual card.

What You’ll Need

  Have the following ready for each applicant before you start:

  • Full legal name

  • Date of birth

  • National Insurance number

  • NHS number (if known)

  • Full UK home address.

Step-by-Step: How to Apply

  Step 1: Gather your details

  Get the personal information listed above ready for everyone you’re applying for.

  Step 2: Fill in the application form

  Complete our online form with the details for each applicant. If applying for a family, you can add up to 10 members in one application.

  Step 3: Choose your processing option

  Standard or priority processing — select whichever suits your timeline.

  Step 4: Submit securely

  We review your application for accuracy and handle the submission process on your behalf.

  Step 5: Receive your card

Your GHIC card is issued and delivered to your registered UK address.

Tips for a Smooth Application

  • Double-check your National Insurance number — errors cause delays

  • Apply well before your travel date — don’t leave it to the last minute

  • Make sure every family member is included — cards are individual

  • Keep a digital photo of your card once it arrives.

What If I Already Have an EHIC?

  If your EHIC is still valid, you don’t need to do anything yet — it continues to work in EU countries until it expires. Apply for a GHIC before it runs out.

Ready to Apply?

  Get your GHIC card sorted today. We handle the entire application process for you — fast, secure, and hassle-free.