European Health Insurance Card

Share | Print | +

Delicious

Digg

Facebook

Google

Propeller

reddit

StumbleUpon

Twitter

Yahoo!

European Health Insurance Card

European citizens who are travelling within the European Economic Area, (that is, the European Union, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein) and Switzerland, for private or professional reasons are entitled to a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which simplifies the procedure when receiving unplanned medical assistance during their stay in a member state.

The EHIC entitles the holder to the same treatment at the same cost as a national of that country. For example, if medical care is provided free of charge in the member state where treatment is required, the claimant will be entitled to free medical care on presentation of the card or an equivalent document. 

Presentation of the EHIC guarantees reimbursement of the medical costs on the spot, or soon after returning home.

In the event of treatment being required, present the card at the earliest opportunity. The card is only valid for state provided services, not private hospitals or treatments.

• Comprehensive, general information from the EU in English: Click here

The Card

The only personal information on the EHIC is the card holder's surname and first name, personal identification number and date of birth. The European health insurance card does not contain medical data. The card contains the same information in all countries where it is issued. 

The duration of validity of the card varies from country to country - find out about this when making an application. 

End of the E forms

The European Health Insurance Card replaces forms:

• E111 and E111B used by tourists
• E110 used by international road transporters
• E128 used by students and people working in a Member State other than their own
• E119 used by people registered as unemployed and seeking work in another Member State

The card will become electronic by 2008 to further simplify the system.

Note: The forms E111 (and others) have not been valid since 31 December 2005.

Getting a Card in Cyprus

The EHIC is issued by the applicant's country of residence: for example, a UK national who is legally resident in Cyprus must apply in Cyprus for their EHIC. 

Cyprus residents can obtain an EHIC by submitting a completed application and supporting documents to the nearest hospital or the Ministry of Health. Cards are free of charge.

• Ministry of Health
  At: 10 Markou Drakou Street, 1448 Lefkosia
  Tel: 22 400 207 / 22 305 354
  Fax: 22 305 346
  Website
• For an application form and list of supporting documents for an EHIC: Click here (PDF)

Services

Charges differ from country to country. In some countries, treatment is provided at full cost with reimbursement for a percentage available later, while in others only the actual costs that would be incurred by a resident of that country are charged up front.

• For a guide from the UK National Health Service/NHS regarding the schemes in participating countries: Click here

Related Information

• See the AngloINFO INFOrmation Page, The EU National Health Service & Cyprus
• Information from the EU on the European Health Insurance Card

0904ww