How to Apply for a UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC)
The UK GHIC gets you state healthcare in EU countries when you need it for medical reasons. The older EHIC does the same. You pay the same cost as a local resident. This is usually free or heavily discounted. The card is free. It takes 10 minutes to apply online. Every UK resident should carry one when travelling to Europe.
At a glance
- Cost:
- Free
- Total time:
- 10 minutes online; card arrives in up to 15 working days
- Steps:
- 5 steps
- Where to apply:
- gov.uk
Last reviewed October 2026 against official sources. Re-checked every 6 months · next review due April 2027.
The Steps
Follow these in order
Each card shows the phase, expected time, and any cost. Data checked against official UK sources(October 2026).
0 of 5 steps
- Before You Go 5 min
Check which card you need
UK residents apply for a GHIC. If you have a valid UK-issued EHIC, it still works until it expires. Some people may need the newer UK EHIC instead. This includes students on placements in the EU. It also includes some workers and family members. The application site will send you to the right card automatically.
Click to mark as done
- Fill / Prepare 10 min
Apply online
Apply at the official NHS site. Do not use a third-party site. Some charge £20–£40 for the same free card. You need your NI numberNational Insurance number — Your UK tax and social security number. You need it to work, pay tax, and claim benefits.Click for official info ↗, name, address, and date of birth. You can apply for yourself and family members including children under 16 in one session.
Click to mark as done
- Submit & Pay
No card yet? Get a Provisional Replacement Certificate
If you need emergency treatment abroad and you do not have your card yet, apply for a Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC) from NHSBSA. It gives the same cover as the card. The plastic card arrives by post within about 15 working days of approval. The government currently quotes up to 15 working days, per MoneySavingExpert. The card is valid for up to 5 years.
Click to mark as done
- Wait
Use it correctly abroad
Show the GHIC at state-run healthcare facilities in the EU. Do not use it at private facilities. It covers treatment you need for medical reasons. This includes emergencies. It also includes chronic conditions, routine maternity care, and oxygen or kidney dialysis. It does not cover planned treatment. It does not cover being flown home.
Click to mark as done
- Follow Up
Buy travel insurance anyway
The GHIC is not travel insurance. It never covers mountain rescue. It does not cover repatriation to the UK. It does not cover private clinics or lost property. The Foreign Office advice is clear. Take a GHIC plus insurance. Never take a GHIC instead of insurance.
Click to mark as done
Be Careful
Don't make these mistakes
Paying a third-party site for a free card. The GHIC is free from the official NHSNational Health Service — The UK's publicly funded healthcare system. Most services are free at the point of use; access depends on immigration status and the immigration health surcharge.Click for official info ↗ site. Some third-party sites charge £20 to £40 for the same free card, so always use the official services.nhsbsa.nhs.uk link.
Treating the GHIC as travel insurance. The GHIC never covers mountain rescue, repatriation to the UK, private clinics, or lost property. Take a GHIC plus insurance, never a GHIC instead of insurance.
Showing it at a private facility. Show the GHIC at state-run healthcare facilities in the EU only. It does not work at private facilities, so check before accepting treatment.
Expecting it to cover planned treatment or a flight home. The GHIC covers treatment you need for medical reasons, including emergencies, chronic conditions, and routine maternity care. It does not cover planned treatment abroad or being flown home.
Travelling with no card and no backup plan. If you need emergency treatment abroad and do not have your card yet, apply for a Provisional Replacement Certificate from NHSBSA. It gives the same cover as the card while the plastic card, which takes up to 15 working days, is on its way.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
I am an immigrant on a visa. Can I get a GHIC?
Yes, if you are "ordinarily resident" in the UK. This means you live here lawfully. It also means you plan to stay, not just visit. Workers and students on long visas generally qualify. Visitors and short-term visa holders do not.
Does the GHIC work outside the EU?
No, not the GHIC itself. But the UK has reciprocal healthcare agreements with some non-EU countries. These include Australia, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, and others. They work in a similar way. Check the guidance for each country on gov.uk before you travel.
A website charged me for my GHIC. Can I get my money back?
The card is free from the NHS Business Services Authority. Copycat sites charge to forward your application. You can report them to Report Fraud. Report Fraud replaced Action Fraud in December 2025 and you should still receive your card. But always use the official services.nhsbsa.nhs.uk link.
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