Access to healthcare: UK European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)

Important information for UK State pensioners living in Spain

Since 1st May 2010, the UK is responsible for issuing the EHIC to UK pensioners resident in other EU countries. For further information on this change visit the NHS website.

EHIC (European Health Insurance Card)

The UK European Health Insurance Card is valid for holidaymakers and temporary visitors who need to use the state health system while in another EU country. If you are not normally a resident of the UK, the Spanish authorities may decide to treat you as a private patient.

If you are a resident in the UK, you should apply for your EHIC before travelling to other European Union Member States.  A UK EHIC is usually valid for three to five years – but if you stop being a UK resident, you need to return your EHIC to the Department of Health immediately.

Treatment covered by the EHIC

In Spain, the EHIC covers:

• all medical care that becomes necessary during a temporary stay
• oxygen and dialysis treatment, as well as treatment for chronic diseases or a pre-existing illness. You should inform healthcare authorities at your destination in Spain before you travel, to ensure that supplies are available
• routine maternity care
• reduced price prescriptions
  

Treatment not covered by the EHIC

The EHIC won’t cover you:

• if getting treatment is the main purpose of your trip. In this case you need to get permission from your UK local healthcare trust who will issue you with form S2
• for long term, routine or planned treatment
• for private sector healthcare providers. You must use the State Health System
• if you are a resident in Spain, check if you have any entitlement to free healthcare in Spain.
  

Getting reduced cost prescriptions if you are a pensioner  

Additional documentation is often requested as proof of pensioner status to get reduced cost prescriptions when on holiday. If you provide proof of pensioner status and that is not accepted by the local health authorities, you might be able to apply for a refund when you return to the UK. For further information contact:

• The Overseas Healthcare Team on 0191 218 1999
  
  

Alternatively, the Department of Health representatives can issue a certificate free of charge and valid for 3 months, confirming that you are a pensioner. For this you will need:

• UK EHIC
• recent DWP correspondence, addressed to your UK address, regarding payment of pension.
  

Applying for an EHIC if you are resident in the UK

You can apply for your EHIC free of charge, through the Department of Health:

• online
• by phone: 0845 606 2030 or +44 191 203 5555 (if outside the UK)
• by post: EHIC Applications, PO Box 1115, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, NE99 1SW
  

Dependants can’t be included on an EHIC, so each family member needs to apply for their own card.

Where to get more information

Detailed information on the UK EHIC can be found on the NHS website. For general information on the EHIC for all countries, go to the European Health Insurance Card page on the European Union website.