European Health Insurance Card
European Health Insurance Card (Ireland/EU)
The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) provides access to free or reduced cost public healthcare for necessary treatment while temporarily in the countries of the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland.
A short term stay is generally accepted as less than 3 months, but students studying abroad may get cover for up to a full academic year.
The EHIC replaces the old E111 form. You need one for each family member and there is no charge for the card.
Further information >> HSE
Global Health Insurance Card (UK)
The Global Health Insurance Card replaces the EHIC in the UK and provides access to state healthcare during a temporary stay in the European Union (EU).
British citizens are typically not entitled to a new UK EHIC card, but they can continue to use their current card until it expires. Once expired the British citizen will apply for a Global Health Insurance Card.
Irish citizens who were born in the UK, including people of Northern Ireland who are Irish citizens, will not usually be eligible for a new UK-issued EHIC. As a UK resident they should apply for a GHIC.
Please note that a UK issued EHIC will still be available to EU citizens who are within the scope of the Withdrawal Agreement (which usually means a person who moved to, worked in or studied in the UK by 31 Dec 2020). For example;
- a UK State Pensioner or a person receiving some other exportable UK benefits and who has been living in the Republic of Ireland since before 1 January 2021
- a frontier worker (see below)
- an eligible family member or dependant of one of the above
Further information >> NHS
Frontier Workers
Living North, working South – you are entitled to an EHIC because you make your social security contributions in Ireland through your employment. Contact the HSE to request an Irish EHIC.
Living South, working North – in certain circumstances you may be entitled to a GHIC or UK-issued EHIC despite living in an EU country, for example;
- Frontier workers who started their job in NI on or after 1 January 2021 should be entitled to a UK GHIC
- Frontier workers who live in Ireland and who worked in NI before 1 January 2021 should be entitled to a UK EHIC. An online application is not currently possible instead please contact NHS Overseas Healthcare Services.
See also:
Page last checked: March 2023
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