FAQs - Health cover for temporary stays

No. The EHIC covers any necessary medical care or treatment which can't be postponed until you've returned from your stay in another EU country.

The healthcare provider will determine, taking into account your medical condition and the length of your stay, whether a given treatment is necessary and can't be postponed until you return home.

Yes. The Provisional Replacement Certificate proves your entitlement to the same rights as the EHIC. However, insurers should not make it a routine practice to provide a replacement certificate instead of the EHIC. The Provisional Replacement Certificate should be issued when exceptional circumstances prevent the issuing of an EHIC, such as if your card is lost or stolen when you're already abroad, or if you're travelling abroad at a too short notice to issue the EHIC.

No. You are not obliged to have travel insurance when traveling within the EU. However, the EHIC will not cover private medical healthcare or costs such as mountain rescue in ski resorts, lost or stolen property or repatriation. Therefore, if you would like to be covered for such risks, you may want to take out travel insurance in addition to your EHIC.

Yes. If you're covered by a statutory sickness scheme in an EU country and plan to travel to other EU country you are eligible for the EHIC. There is only one exception: non-EU nationals cannot use their EHIC in Denmark, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland or get an EHIC if they are insured there.

The EHIC covers all medical checks and care related to your pregnancy, including unplanned child birth (for example, if you unexpectedly go into labour while on a trip abroad).

Yes. If you have a chronic medical condition (such as diabetes, asthma, cancer or a need for dialysis) you're entitled to treatment that is considered necessary, taking into account your medical condition and the length of your stay. Please bear in mind that for any treatment for which specialised equipment or staff is needed (such as dialysis, oxygen therapy and chemotherapy), you should get a prior agreement from the healthcare provider before you travel abroad. You should also be aware that the EHIC does not entitle you to scheduled treatments, i.e. it does not cover your medical costs if the purpose of your trip is to seek treatment.