European Union citizens living in the United Kingdom are poised to receive new UK-issued European Health Insurance Cards (EHICs), guaranteeing their access to state-provided healthcare when travelling temporarily within EU member states. This development comes as the broader question of reciprocal healthcare arrangements for the majority of British citizens visiting the EU continues to be a subject of ongoing negotiation and uncertainty.
The new EHICs for EU citizens residing in the UK will ensure that they can receive medically necessary healthcare, such as emergency treatment or care for pre-existing conditions, during short trips to any of the 27 EU countries, as well as Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. This provision aligns with the Withdrawal Agreement following the UK's departure from the European Union, which sought to protect the rights of EU citizens who had settled in the UK prior to the end of the transition period.
For most British citizens, however, the landscape of healthcare cover when travelling to the EU remains less clear. Since the end of the Brexit transition period, the UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) has largely replaced the EHIC for UK residents. While the GHIC provides similar cover to the EHIC in EU countries, its scope is not universal across all non-EU European nations previously covered by the EHIC, such as Switzerland. Crucially, the UK Government has been engaged in bilateral negotiations with individual EU member states to establish specific reciprocal healthcare agreements, but progress has been varied.
Currently, the primary advice for UK citizens planning to travel to the EU is to secure comprehensive travel insurance that includes medical cover. This is particularly important for those with pre-existing medical conditions, as the GHIC and EHIC (for eligible individuals) only cover state-provided healthcare and do not include private medical treatment, repatriation, or long-term care. The absence of a comprehensive, EU-wide reciprocal agreement means that travellers could face significant costs if they require medical attention without adequate insurance.
The new EHICs for EU citizens in the UK are expected to be sent out automatically to eligible individuals by the NHS Business Services Authority. Recipients are advised to check the details on their new cards and ensure they are valid for their travel plans. This move provides clarity for a specific cohort of residents, contrasting with the broader, more complex picture of international healthcare cover that continues to evolve for other UK travellers.
The Department of Health and Social Care reiterated its commitment to securing beneficial healthcare arrangements for UK citizens travelling abroad, emphasising that negotiations are ongoing with various countries. However, opposition parties have criticised the Government for what they describe as a lack of swift and comprehensive agreements, leaving many Britons vulnerable and reliant on often more expensive travel insurance options.
Source: Money Saving Expert