19 April 2024

UK tourists can misunderstand the benefits of the GHIC Card

Having medical travel insurance when going abroad is as important than ever.

Having medical travel insurance when going abroad is as important than ever, especially bearing in mind how confused British holidaymakers are about the benefits of the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC).

This card, formally known as the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is often overestimated in terms of the benefits it delivers with many believing it covers much more than it really does.

The fact is that holding a GHIC entitles the person to have the same level of state medical care provided to eligible nationals of the country they're in. If you are visiting countries within the European Economic Area (EEA) countries including Switzerland, Australia, Gibraltar Guernsey, Montenegro, Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha then you will enjoy medical treatment for free or at a reduced price – always depending on the particular country.

Only a minority of travellers said they are aware of which countries offer free emergency medical care to GHIC holders, which some believing countries such as Turkey were included.

Also, many believe this card might cover them if they need free emergency medical care anywhere in Europe. Yet the truth is that, in case of suffering an emergency abroad and being taken to a private hospital (not state), you might have to pay the expenses of your medical costs.

Furthermore some thought that the EHIC would cover the cost of medical repatriation. The reality is that the card doesn't protect you in those cases and neither pays for British holidaymakers to be flown home is case of having an accidents overseas.

Bear in mind, however, that residents of the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man are not eligible for an EHIC

Medical travel insurance

These misunderstandings can lead UK travellers to avoid buying travel insurance. The fact is that if holidaymakers want to enjoy real protection abroad they should always contract medical travel insurance to be fully covered.