Nerja Today

EHIC - The new E111

As from January 1st 2006 the E111 form is no longer valid. You will need a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to receive necessary healthcare during a visit to an European Economic Area (EEA) country or Switzerland.

A European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) entitles you to reduced-cost, sometimes free, medical treatment in a European Economic Area (EEA) country or Switzerland.

The EEA consists of the European Union (EU) countries plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. Switzerland applies the EHIC arrangements through an agreement with the EU. The EHIC is valid in:

Austria, Belgium, Cyprus (but not Northern Cyprus), Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia
Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland
Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland

The EHIC has replaced the old E111. From 1 January 2006, E111's are no longer valid. The quickest and easiest way to get an EHIC is to apply online. Online Application You can also apply by phone: 0845 606 2030, by post: collect EHIC form and pre-addressed envelope from the Post Office. For a nominal (optional) fee, the Post Office will check your completed application form and forward it for processing, otherwise send it to:
EHIC Applications
PO Box 1115
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE99 1SW

Allow 21 days for the process.

The EHIC is normally valid for three to five years and covers any medical treatment that becomes necessary during your trip, either through illness or an accident. The card gives access to state-provided medical treatment only and you may have to make a contribution to the cost of your care.

The EHIC also covers any treatment you need for a chronic disease or pre-existing illness. You need to make arrangements in advance for kidney dialysis and oxygen therapy. To arrange for kidney dialysis while you're away, contact your NHS renal unit in the UK before you travel.

You are advised to take out comprehensive private insurance for visits to all countries, regardless of whether you are covered by your EHIC.

Your EHIC should cover you for routine maternity care while you are away. However, if you are going to an EEA country or Switzerland specifically to have your baby, you will need an E112 form.

People who are ordinarily resident in the UK are entitled to a UK issued EHIC. It is not valid for people who are going to live abroad. There are some restrictions, depending on your nationality.

UK and other EU nationals, stateless persons and refugees are covered in all EEA countries and Switzerland. However, if you are a national of Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia, your EHIC is not valid in Switzerland.
Nationals of Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway are covered in all EEA countries but not in Switzerland.

People who do not have UK, EU, EEA or Swiss nationality are covered in all EU countries but not in Denmark, Norway, Liechtenstein or Switzerland. In Iceland, these people are covered for emergency treatment only. Swiss nationals are covered in all EU countries but not in Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway. Dependants of EEA nationals who are ordinarily resident in the UK are covered in all EEA countries and Switzerland, irrespective of their own nationality.