Monday, June 23, 2025
British tourists are being reminded to double-check their health cards because nearly two million GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card) and EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) expire in 2025. These cards, which give UK citizens a right to state-provided healthcare on trips to the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland, are set to expire for most holidaymakers. As the deadline looms closer, British holidaymakers need to be aware of what it means for their vacations, whether they must renew their cards, and why they must have additional travel insurance.
Understanding the Role of GHIC and EHIC Cards for Healthcare Abroad
The GHIC and EHIC cards allow UK travelers to receive medically necessary treatment in public hospitals across EEA countries, Switzerland, and a few other European nations on the same terms as a local resident. While these cards provide access to free or reduced-cost emergency healthcare, they do not cover all medical costs. For example, expenses like repatriation or medical evacuation back to the UK are not covered by the GHIC or EHIC.
The cards have played a pivotal role in protecting travelers’ health abroad, especially during the post-Brexit era when the UK left the EU. The EHIC was replaced by the GHIC, but many UK citizens still hold valid EHIC cards, which remain usable until they expire. However, once the EHIC expires, it must be replaced with the GHIC to ensure continued access to healthcare abroad.
The Impending Expiration of GHIC and EHIC Cards
According to the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA), almost 2 million UK-issued health cards—comprising both GHICs and EHICs—are set to expire in 2025. This is a crucial statistic for travelers who rely on these cards for emergency healthcare when visiting Europe. The NHS has issued a warning that many UK citizens are unaware of the expiration dates, which could result in them facing hefty medical bills if they require treatment during their travels.
As Amber Moon, Brand Manager at Holidaysafe, explained, “Many people don’t even realise their card is expiring.” Travelers without valid cards could face significant financial risks, as they may be required to pay out-of-pocket for medical treatment that would otherwise be covered under the reciprocal healthcare agreements between the UK and EU countries.
In total, the UK has spent over £800 million since 2016 on covering the cost of healthcare for UK travelers abroad. This amount, highlighted in new NHS data shared with travel insurance provider Holidaysafe, underscores the importance of ensuring that GHIC or EHIC cards remain valid, particularly given the rising costs of medical care across Europe.
The Financial Impact of Expired Cards
The NHS data reveals that in 2019, just before the pandemic hit, the cost of covering medical care abroad was £127.3 million. While the total amount spent has dropped since then, it is still substantial. By April 2025, the UK government will have spent more than £813 million to cover medical expenses incurred by UK travelers who relied on their GHIC or EHIC cards.
This spending highlights the importance of renewing your GHIC or EHIC card on time to avoid unnecessary financial hardship. If your card expires, you may be required to pay for any medical treatment you receive while abroad, something many travelers do not anticipate when relying on their healthcare cards.
Why You Still Need Travel Insurance with a GHIC or EHIC
Even if you have a valid GHIC or EHIC card, travel insurance remains an essential part of your coverage. The cards offer access to emergency medical treatment, but they do not provide full protection. Specifically, they do not cover the cost of repatriation—meaning the cost of returning you to the UK if you are too ill or injured to travel.
Travel insurance policies, on the other hand, often include coverage for repatriation, rescue operations during extreme sports activities like skiing, and emergency medical evacuation. In addition, GHIC or EHIC cards do not offer any coverage for private medical treatment or treatment on cruises, meaning you will need travel insurance to cover those scenarios.
As emphasized by the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO), while the GHIC or EHIC will cover “medically necessary” care in public hospitals or medical centers in Europe, it will not cover everything. To ensure comprehensive protection while traveling, it’s advisable to have both a valid GHIC/EHIC card and a robust travel insurance policy.
How to Check If Your GHIC or EHIC is Valid
It’s easy to check the validity of your GHIC or EHIC card. Simply locate the expiry date on the bottom right corner of the card. This date will tell you when your card is set to expire, allowing you to take action well in advance if it’s close to the end of its validity period. If your card is nearing expiration, it’s important to renew it to avoid any gaps in coverage.
Renewing Your GHIC or EHIC Card
Renewing your GHIC or EHIC card is a straightforward process that can be done for free through the official NHS website. You can renew your card up to nine months before it expires, giving you ample time to ensure you’re covered when traveling. Once your EHIC expires, it will be replaced by the GHIC when you renew it.
If you don’t already have a GHIC or EHIC card, it’s essential to apply for one as soon as possible. New applications are processed quickly, and the card is typically valid for five years.
The Importance of Timely Renewal
For a traveler, being one step ahead of travel disruption is necessary. As millions of GHIC and EHIC cards issued in the UK expire in 2025, it should be on your list to have a current card. And beyond that, purchasing comprehensive travel insurance entitles you to protection against unforeseen medical expenses abroad, safeguarding your health and your budget.
As Amber Moon sums up, “If you look at what the UK has had to pay out for medical expenses abroad, it just illustrates what a necessity it is for people to possess a GHIC or to be sure that they get one when their EHIC expires at the end of this year.”
By checking the validity of your GHIC or EHIC card, renewing it in good time, and having the right travel insurance cover in place, you’ll be better prepared for your European breaks during 2025 and onwards.
References: NHS Official Website, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (UK), Holidaysafe Official Website
