NHS data gathered through a Freedom of Information act shows, as of April 2025, there are more than 3.5 million fewer GHIC and EHIC cards owned by UK residents than there were in 2020 when the UK officially left the EU.

UK residents made about 70.6m visits to Europe in 2024, according to the Office for National Statistics, meaning there could be thousands or even millions of people travelling to the EU without healthcare protection.

What is a GHIC card?

A Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) allows UK residents to receive state-provided healthcare in EU countries, Switzerland, and certain other nations, either free or at local rates.

Despite the name, the GHIC provides limited global coverage - it includes countries like Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, and Montenegro, but excludes many others unrelated to the EU.

It has replaced the EHIC since Brexit. Existing EHICs remained valid until their expiry dates, but with each card lasting five years, all cards will now be out of date as the UK formerly cut ties with the EU on January 31 2020.

Between 2021 and 2024, the NHS paid out nearly £250 million in medical claims for UK citizens abroad using EHIC or GHIC, NHS figures analysed by NimbleFins show.

The figure has dramatically dropped since 2019 when £127.3m was paid out. This suggests many may be travelling without a valid EHIC or GHIC or know they can claim back their healthcare costs still, despite the UK leaving the EU.

Take-up of GHIC isn’t mandatory, but many travel insurers will only pay for medical claims if you can provide valid proof of healthcare entitlement.

Do I need travel insurance if I have a GHIC?

A GHIC is not a substitute for travel insurance. It covers medically necessary state hospital care at either no cost or local rates, depending on the healthcare rules of the country visited — but it does not cover everything that can go wrong on a trip.

Travel insurance typically covers things a GHIC does not, including trip cancellation, lost or stolen belongings, and repatriation. In some countries, even the local rates for hospital treatment can be significant, and travel insurance can help bridge that gap. It is also worth noting that many travel insurers require proof of a valid GHIC before paying out on medical claims.

Before travelling, it's worth checking that your GHIC is current and covers the countries on your itinerary. A GHIC generally takes around 15 working days to arrive. See our guide on how to apply for a GHIC to learn about what to do if your card hasn't arrived before your departure date.

Read more: GHIC card - how to apply, how long it takes and do you need travel insurance?

Avoid GHIC scams

There are reports of fraudsters operating GHIC scams using third party websites. Use the official portal only.

The GHIC is free through the NHS website and you should never pay a fee.

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• GHIC card - how to apply, how long it takes and do you need travel insurance?