When traveling in Europe, it is important to have proper health insurance coverage in case of unexpected accidents or illnesses.

The European Insurance Card, also known as the EHIC, is a free card that provides access to state-provided healthcare for travelers in the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland. In this article, we will discuss the benefits of having an EHIC when traveling in Europe.

What is the European Insurance Card?

The European Insurance Card is a small plastic card similar in size to a credit card. It allows the holder to receive medical treatment for any pre-existing medical conditions and emergency medical treatment in any EEA country or Switzerland.

The EHIC covers necessary medical treatment until the traveler’s scheduled departure date. The card is free and can be obtained online, by mail or from your local post office.

Benefits of the European Insurance Card

One of the biggest benefits of the European Insurance Card is that it provides access to medical treatment in the EEA countries and Switzerland on the same basis as residents of that country.

This means that if a local resident of a certain country receives a particular treatment for free, then travelers with EHICs can do the same for free. On the other hand, if the local residents pay for a treatment, then travelers will also have to pay for the same treatment.

Another benefit of the EHIC is that it covers pre-existing medical conditions.

This means that if you have an existing medical condition and you need treatment while traveling, you will be able to get the necessary treatment without any additional costs. However, it is important to note that EHIC only covers necessary medical treatment and does not cover private healthcare services.

In addition to the above, the European Insurance Card is recognized in all EEA countries and Switzerland.

This means that the cardholder will not have to worry about language barriers or understanding a complex medical system when seeking medical treatment. The EHIC is accepted in hospitals, doctor’s offices, and pharmacies, making it easy and convenient to obtain medical assistance when it is needed most.

Limitations of the European Insurance Card

While the European Insurance Card provides many benefits, there are also some limitations to the card. For example, the EHIC does not cover private medical care and treatment abroad.

The card also does not cover medical repatriation, which means that if the cardholder needs to be transported back to their home country for medical treatment, they will need to pay for it out of pocket.

Another limitation of the EHIC is that it only covers medical treatment in state-funded healthcare facilities.

This means that if the traveler chooses to receive medical treatment at a private facility, they will have to pay for the treatment out of pocket.

How to Obtain a European Insurance Card

Getting a European Insurance Card is easy and free. The card can be obtained through an online application form or a paper application form that can be downloaded and mailed.

Alternatively, travelers can go to their local post office to obtain the card in person. Each country has its own system for issuing the EHIC. It is important to note that each individual, including children, must have their own EHIC card to receive coverage.

Conclusion

The European Insurance Card is an essential item for any traveler planning to visit the EEA and Switzerland.

The EHIC provides access to emergency medical treatment and necessary medical treatment for pre-existing conditions within the same scope as local residents. It is important to remember that the EHIC has its limitations, so it is always a good idea to have additional health insurance when traveling abroad.