European Health Card For Health Benefits Wherever You Go

The European Health Card or EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) makes it easy to receive care outside of one’s nation during temporary stays abroad. Thanks to this card, if you go on vacation, study or business trip you would still have access to public health in the same conditions and at the same cost as citizens of the country you belong to.

General Information
It has to be taken into account that the health care systems of each country are different. The services which are free in your country may not be in others. If you received some additional, payable medical care and services in the foreign country, the amount you pay will be refunded to you when you return to your native country. Keep in mind that:
The European Health Card is not valid when you are travelling for the sole purpose of receiving medical treatment.
It is not an alternative to travel insurance, and does not cover private health care or costs such as the flight back or the loss or theft of belongings.

Application and Renewal
It is possible to request for the European Health Card online through the Social Security Electronic Office. It is not necessary to have a digital certificate in order to apply.
You can also go to any of the CAISS (Centres of Attention and Information of the Social Security) to carry out the process.

The card will be sent to you within a period of ten days, and is going to be valid for two years. After two years, the card must be renewed if you want to enjoy the same medical benefits throughout Europe.

Basic Medical Attention
The European Health Card covers emergency medical attention for illnesses or accidents and for the deterioration of existent chronic diseases such as asthma, heart disease, etc. However, as stated earlier in the article, this card is going to be valid if the purpose of travel is to receive a specific treatment or surgery in another country.

Where is it Valid?
The European Health Card can be used in the following countries: United Kingdom, Spain, Austria, Belgium, Germany, Bulgaria, , Denmark, Slovakia, Cyprus, Slovenia, Malta, Estonia, , France, Greece, Finland, , Iceland, Sweden, Ireland, Italy, Hungary, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Latvia, Luxembourg, , Norway, , Poland, Portugal, Czech Republic, Netherlands, Romania and Switzerland.

However, the EHIC is not valid when you move your residence to another European state. You can only avail benefits as a citizen of a particular country when you are temporarily living abroad and have not settled in the foreign nation as a permanent resident.

Health Care for Temporary Migrants
The European Health Card is a non-transferable document proving a citizen of a European nation the right to receive health benefits that are necessary on medical grounds during a temporary stay for work, study, tourism, within the territory of the European Union, the European Economic Area and Switzerland.

It also takes into account the nature of the benefits and the length of stay, according to the legislation of the country where the person is staying. For temporary migrators who have had health care in their own countries, this card is a real boon.