EHIC Replacement for UK Citizens
 

Now I am frequently wrong* but I have come across an NHS webpage that details a replacement for the EHIC that the UK Government gave away on 1 January 2021 when the UK left the EU.

Now as my current EHIC is still valid I will use that nail such time as it runs out but then I shall be replacing it with a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) - it isn’t global by any means but then again truth has never been a strong point with this government.

Anyway, here is the link:

https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/healthcare-abroad/apply-for-a-free-uk-global-health-insurance-card-ghic/

If I am wrong, again, please let me know. It is just that I thought we had lost the EHIC or anything like it for good.

* - copyright - my wife.

Replaced in Dec 2020
 

My EHIC expired in October 2020, I also thought I had lost it and that was that. However, I decided to apply and on 31/12/2020 lo and behold I got a new one valid until December 2025, nothing ventured...it is a EHIC not a Global Card. Give it a go and see what happens.
Caveat, I also have an Irish passport, and think that may have had an impact on their decision..
Best wishes.

Hi James

Same boat as me. Dual citizenship. I looked at the Irish government website and I can’t get one through them so the GHIC is the only route to free/cheap basic cover in the EU - and it will probably be a requirement of getting EU wide Travel insurance going forward I suspect.

My EHIC has a little time to go so that is a little pressure off too.

My understanding is that if you have an EHIC it's valid until it runs out - mine has June 23 on it. After that, or if you don't have a current one at present, it's a GHIC. While I also have an Irish passport I'm not aware of it having any part to play in this as the EHIC is based on where you live. I looked at trying to get an Irish one but I'd need to have an address there to qualify.

Being a dual citizen has nothing to do with it and bizarrely being in the EU had nothing to do with it either . If you have a current ehc card it is indeed valid until its expiry date you will then replace it with this global card thing that those in power have no idea what or where it will cover .
Countries pay to belong to the ehc scheme , Switzerland being such a country , obviously not in the EU. It costs the UK a fortune to belong to......am suprised they didnt bin it all together and get people to buy decent travel insurance ..... but then you'd get the usual whines about the ehc being free which of course if u r a tax payer it isnt .
.

Reading the govt webpage it seems the GHIC does cover most of what the EHIC did, albeit EFTA states are excluded. If you have an EU state passport you can apply for a UK issued EHIC which includes all states.

Full info here