When going on holiday there are plenty of things you need to get sorted before you go. One that is usually lower down the list than it should be is the European Health Insurance Card, or EHIC (formally E111). The idea of the card is simple. If you have an accident or are ill while in Europe you can receive free, or reduced, medical treatment. However if you travel to a county with an established condition hoping to obtain medical treatment you will be refused. Each country has different terms and conditions, but in a nutshell, if you go skiing or clubbing and injure yourself, any hospital costs are either free or greatly reduced if you have an EHIC card.
Still not sure you need an EHIC? Did you know that some insurance policies won’t pay expenses that would have been free if you’d had an EHIC? Make sure your policy waives excess if you use the card too.
This is a two pointer. Firstly keep your card with you at all times, or at least your number. Secondly if you do have an accident or fall ill, produce the card straight away. If you do not, you might have to pay the excess.
If you do have an accident and have your EHIC card with you, you should be free from charges. However, in some Spanish hospitals and clinics they might reject your EHIC if they know you also have travel insurance. Click on this link [http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcareabroad/countryguide/Pages/EEAcountries.aspx] for more information.
The quickest way to get an EHIC is to apply online here [http://www.ukehic.com.].
