How to apply for the new Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC)

Posted by Alex on Mon Jan 4, 2021 4:08pm in Healthcare and medical advice

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How to apply for the new Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC)

It looks like the new GHIC (Global health insurance card), that replaces the EHIC (if you have one of those then no need to apply for the new one it does the job) is now live on the NHS site on the following link:

https://nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/healthcare-abroad/apply-for-a-free-ehic-european-health-insurance-card/

"A European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) gives you the right to access state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in the EU.

The UK has reached an agreement on healthcare when visiting the EU.

You can continue to use an EHIC or get a provisional replacement certificate (PRC) if you need treatment and do not have a card.

If you apply for a card now, you'll get a new UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) instead of an EHIC. These pages and the application portal will still refer to EHIC until 4 January 2021.

You do not need to apply for a GHIC if you already have an EHIC. Your EHIC remains valid in the EU until it expires.

Beware of unofficial websites, which may charge if you apply through them. An EHIC or GHIC is free of charge."

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Alex

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Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2021 11:11am

TickingTony

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Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2021 11:11am

what about an EHIC card for Spanish residents(UK expats) travelling in Europe and the UK?

Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2021 9:31pm

Steveyjoanna

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Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2021 9:31pm

TickingTony wrote on Mon Jan 11, 2021 11:11am:
what about an EHIC card for Spanish residents(UK expats) travelling in Europe and the UK?

If you are a UK Spanish resident and are an S1 health recipient , you will be on the Spanish health system and the UK ( who pick up the bill) will have annotated your card as a Spanish resident , this means your ehic is valid in all countries in the EU but not Spain , you are in the Spanish health system and are covered there and treated the same as a Spanish resident with a Spanish ehic, same as a UK resident with an Ehic , valid for Europe but not necessary in the UK as they are in the NHS.

Nothing has changed( yet) , basically if you are living there "legally" and have done all that is required you are okay.