2025-05-03T04:30:00Z

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Passengers to 34 countries warned to complete action to avoid unnecessary charge UK tourists have been urged to apply for a GHIC card to avoid spending hundreds of pounds unnecessarily on holiday Passengers to 34 countries are being warned to apply for a free medical card which could save hundreds of pounds this holiday season (Image: Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images ) Travellers to 34 countries have been warned to claim a travel health card to avoid money this holiday season. By applying for the free Global Health Insurance card (GHIC), tourists can access a range of medical treatments when on holiday abroad — without charge or at a rate matching the local residents' usual payments. ‌ Some of the issues covered include: emergency treatment, A&E visits, treatment or routine medical care for long-term or pre-existing medical conditions, or maternity care (providing you aren’t going abroad to give birth). ‌ The card lasts up to five years and can be applied for via the NHS website by filling out a form including your full name, address, date of birth, national insurance number, or health and care number if you’re from Northern Ireland. READ MORE: UK tourists in Spain and Portugal issued urgent warning following power outage Each member of your family will need their own card, but it is possible to add others to your application when the process begins. Article continues below Email confirmation of your order will come through within 24 hours with details of acceptance or refusal, and if the application is successful, you can expect to get the card in the post within 15 days. The full list of countries in the European Economic Area (EEA) the GHIC applies to: Austria Belgium Bulgaria Croatia Republic of Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Estonia Finland France Germany Greece Hungary Ireland Italy Latvia Lithuania Luxembourg Malta Netherlands Poland Portugal Romania Slovakia Slovenia Spain Sweden Montenegro Australia Jersey Guernsey The Isle of Man St Helena, Tristan and Ascension Switzerland ‌ The NHS said: “The UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) lets you get necessary state healthcare in the European Economic Area (EEA), and some other countries, on the same basis as a resident of that country. "This may be free or it may require a payment equivalent to that which a local resident would pay." It added: "The UK GHIC has replaced the existing European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). If you have an existing EHIC you can continue to use it until the expiry date on the card. Once it expires, you'll need to apply for a UK GHIC to replace it. ‌ "You can apply for a new card up to 9 months before your current card expires.” READ MORE: Spain power outage update issued by national electricity grid operator The GHIC card was put in place of the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) which used to be used by Brits on holiday. Article continues below Holidaymakers with the EHIC card should not be worried if you still have the card as it is still permissible to be used in the given destinations abroad while it is in date.