Post-Brexit Travel: Don’t Fly Without This Free Health Card

Charlie UK 30 April 2025 | | 0

If you're planning a holiday abroad, there's one essential item you should pack a free UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). This card gives Brits access to necessary healthcare in 34 countries, often for free or at the same cost locals pay.

The GHIC covers emergency treatment, accident & emergency visits, maternity care (as long as you're not travelling specifically to give birth), and care for ongoing or pre-existing conditions that can't wait until you're back in the UK.

It replaces the old European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), sometimes referred to as the ‘E111’. If you still have an EHIC, you can use it until it expires. After that, you’ll need to apply for a GHIC, which you can do up to nine months before your current card runs out.

Travelling without a GHIC could mean paying out-of-pocket for medical care, which can quickly add up as you’d likely have to pay the full cost of treatment yourself.

According to the NHS:

“The UK GHIC lets you get necessary state healthcare in the European Economic Area (EEA), and some other countries, on the same basis as a resident of that country. This may be free, or require a payment equivalent to what a local resident would pay.”

Where Can You Use the GHIC?

Your UK GHIC is valid in the following countries:

EEA and EU countries:

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus (South), Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden.

Other participating countries and territories:

Montenegro, Switzerland, Australia, Jersey, Guernsey, Isle of Man, St Helena, Tristan da Cunha, and Ascension Island.

Don’t leave your health to chance when travelling abroad. Applying for a UK GHIC is quick, free, and could save you from unexpected medical expenses.

Do you need to renew your passport? Talk to us in the comment section below. Or if you need more advice on the above, contact us for further travel & immigration advice.

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And because of the pandemic, don’t forget to get your travel insurance, which will cover you for flight disruptions and pandemic related matters.

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