If you’re heading abroad, especially with a medical condition, it’s important to understand how the UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) works – and why it’s worth taking with you.
The GHIC has replaced the EHIC, but if you still have a valid EHIC card, you can continue using it until it expires. After that, you’ll need to apply for a GHIC instead.
This card lets you access public healthcare in many countries, either free of charge or at a reduced cost, just like a local resident. It’s not a replacement for travel insurance, but it can help with medical care if something goes wrong on your trip – and in some cases, using a GHIC may even waive the excess on your policy.
You can apply for one free of charge through the official NHS website: nhs.uk/ghic.
You can use the GHIC in the following countries:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.
It also offers limited coverage in:
Switzerland, Montenegro, Guernsey, Jersey, and the Isle of Man.
The card can cover treatment for pre-existing conditions, emergency care, and routine maternity care if you're abroad and need it. Just remember, it doesn’t cover private healthcare, repatriation back to the UK, or extras like mountain rescue - that’s where travel insurance comes in.
Read about the UK's reciprocal healthcare agreements with non-EU countries here.
Getting your card is simple:
Beware of unofficial websites - applying should always be free!
If you're travelling to Australia, the GHIC won’t work in the same way. But you can still get help through a separate agreement between the UK and Australia.
This is called a reciprocal healthcare agreement, and it lets UK visitors access some services through Medicare, Australia’s public healthcare system.
To get this:
It’s not full coverage, and it doesn’t include ambulances, prescriptions or private care - but it can be a helpful backup if something unexpected happens.
While the GHIC (and reciprocal agreements) can help, they won’t cover everything. A good medical travel insurance policy makes sure you’re protected for things like:
