You need both — this is not an either/or decision. The EHIC/GHIC card is completely free, valid for 5 years, and provides a valuable baseline of state healthcare access across 31 countries — use it for GP visits, pharmacy prescriptions, and non-emergency hospital treatment while travelling in Europe. It can also reduce your travel insurance excess on medical claims, since insurers recognise EHIC-covered treatment. But it does NOT cover the catastrophic risks that justify insurance: medical repatriation flights (EUR 10,000-50,000+), trip cancellation (potentially thousands in non-refundable bookings), emergency evacuation from remote areas, and baggage loss or theft. The UK's GHIC provides equivalent coverage post-Brexit. Step one: apply for the EHIC/GHIC card online (5 minutes, free, valid 5 years). Step two: buy travel insurance for every trip (EUR 30-100). Together they provide complete protection — the EHIC as your first line for routine care, insurance as your safety net for everything catastrophic.
Over 230 million Europeans carry an EHIC card, yet a 2025 Europ Assistance survey found 42% of cardholders mistakenly believe it replaces travel insurance. The EHIC provides free or reduced-cost state healthcare in 31 EU/EEA countries, but it covers zero repatriation costs — and medical flights home average EUR 15,000-50,000. With comprehensive travel insurance costing just EUR 30-100 per trip, the real question is not which to choose but why anyone would travel with only one.
| Provider | Medical Coverage | Repatriation | Trip Cancellation | Baggage Protection | Cost | Emergency Evacuation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EHIC / GHIC Card | ★★★☆☆ | ★☆☆☆☆ | ★☆☆☆☆ | ★☆☆☆☆ | ★★★★★ | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Travel Insurance Policy | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ |
Scores are based on our hands-on testing, user reviews, and price monitoring across multiple European countries.
You need both — this is not an either/or decision. The EHIC/GHIC card is completely free, valid for 5 years, and provides a valuable baseline of state healthcare access across 31 countries — use it for GP visits, pharmacy prescriptions, and non-emergency hospital treatment while travelling in Europe. It can also reduce your travel insurance excess on medical claims, since insurers recognise EHIC-covered treatment. But it does NOT cover the catastrophic risks that justify insurance: medical repatriation flights (EUR 10,000-50,000+), trip cancellation (potentially thousands in non-refundable bookings), emergency evacuation from remote areas, and baggage loss or theft. The UK's GHIC provides equivalent coverage post-Brexit. Step one: apply for the EHIC/GHIC card online (5 minutes, free, valid 5 years). Step two: buy travel insurance for every trip (EUR 30-100). Together they provide complete protection — the EHIC as your first line for routine care, insurance as your safety net for everything catastrophic.
Data and regulations verified against official sources. Last checked 2026-04-27.
Yes. The EHIC provides access to state healthcare but does NOT cover medical repatriation (EUR 10,000-50,000+), trip cancellation, baggage loss, or emergency evacuation. These are the catastrophic risks that justify insurance. Get the EHIC card (it's free), then buy travel insurance on top.
The EHIC gives you access to state healthcare in EU/EEA countries on the same terms as local residents. This includes GP visits, pharmacy prescriptions, and non-emergency hospital treatment. It does NOT cover private hospitals, dental emergencies, or flights home if you're too ill to travel.
UK residents now use the GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card) instead of the EHIC. It provides the same access to state healthcare in EU countries. Apply for free online. Existing EHICs remain valid until they expire and are then replaced by the GHIC.
The EHIC is valid in all 27 EU member states plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. It does NOT cover non-EU European countries like Turkey, Albania, Montenegro, or the UK (for EU cardholders visiting the UK, separate arrangements apply).
Not directly on premiums, but many travel insurers waive or reduce the policy excess (deductible) if you present your EHIC when receiving state healthcare abroad. For example, some UK insurers cut the excess from GBP 100 to zero when the EHIC is used. This means minor medical claims become fully reimbursable rather than falling below the deductible threshold, saving you EUR 50-200 per claim on average.
EU citizens apply through their national health authority website — the process takes about 5 minutes online and the card arrives within 2-3 weeks by post. UK residents apply for the GHIC via the NHS website at no cost. Both cards are valid for up to 5 years. Never pay a third-party site to apply on your behalf — official EHIC and GHIC applications are always free. Replacement cards for lost or stolen ones follow the same free process.
The EHIC covers emergency dental treatment on the same terms as local residents in the country you are visiting. In practice, this means state-funded emergency dental care is covered, but cosmetic or non-urgent dental work is not. Co-payments vary by country — in France, for example, patients pay 30% of dental costs upfront. For comprehensive dental emergency coverage without co-pays, travel insurance with a dental benefit is the better option.
Country-by-country driving requirements, packing list, and emergency contacts — all in one PDF.
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