Money Talk
The European Health Insurance Card is a handy bit of plastic to pack in your holiday luggage – but it’s not a cheap alternative to travel insurance.
Most of us may not know what it covers, and that means you can get caught out with a costly bill. Research from GoCompare Travel found 69% of UK holidaymakers think carrying an EHIC means they get free emergency medical treatment across Europe, and some mistakenly believe it will cover “extras” like the cost of an air ambulance to fly them home.
The EHIC is free to most UK residents and means you’ll get the same level of state medical care as the locals in the EEA country you’re visiting. So that means treatment could be provided free of charge, or at a reduced cost.
In case you’re wondering, the European Economic Area (EEA), includes all 28 members of the EU plus Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. It’s worth remembering too that the EHIC won’t be accepted in Turkey as it’s not a member of the EU or the EEA.
If it’s an emergency and you’re not in a position to ask to be taken to the local state hospital and end up in a private clinic, you may find that your EHIC is refused.
On the plus side, having an EHIC can save you paying the excess on your travel policy – but when it comes to holiday travel always pack a comprehensive travel policy for peace of mind.