European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)

Launched June 2004, the "Health Card" is for EU residents to use to access medical resourses when travelling outside of their EU country of residence.

European citizens who are travelling within the European Economic Area (EEA), (i.e. the European Union, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein) and Switzerland, for private or professional reasons are entitled to a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which simplifies the procedure when receiving medical assistance during their stay in a member state.

The EHIC entitles the holder to the same treatment at the same cost as a national of that country. For example, if medical care is provided free of charge in the member state where treatment is required, the claimant will be entitled to free medical care on presentation of the card or an equivalent document.

Presentation of the EHIC guarantees reimbursement of the medical costs on the spot, or soon after returning home.

In the event of treatment being required present the card at the earliest opportunity. The card is only valid for state provided services, not private hospitals or treatments.

The Card

The only personal information on the EHIC is the card holder's surname and first name, personal identification number and date of birth. The European health insurance card does not contain medical data.

It is a plastic, non-electronic card and is valid for a maximum of one year. The card contains the same information in all countries where it is issued. It will become electronic by 2008 to further simplify the system.

For individual use only: Each member of a family must have their own card, including children under sixteen.

For examples of cards from all countries: Click here

End of the E forms

The European Health Insurance Card replaces forms:

E111 and E111B used by tourists
E110 used by international road transporters
E128 used by students and people working in a Member State other than their own
E119 used by people registered as unemployed and seeking work in another Member State

Note: The forms E111 (and others) have not been valid since 31 December 2005.

The EHIC in Spain

The Tarjeta Sanitaria Europea (TSE) allows legal residents of Spain to benefit from emergency medical treatment and care when temporarily in a member country.

Anyone covered by the Spanish social security system or a system is entitled to a TSE

Residents of Spain can apply to the local CAISS, Social Security Service and Information Centre for the card.

Note: The TSE cannot be used in Spain to make medical claims. The EHIC (TSE) is for use when visiting a member state other than the country of residence where the card has been issued. That means a resident of Spain with a TSE may use it while travelling in other EEC countries.

To find the nearest office: Click here (then follow the interactive map)
For information in English from the Spanish Social Security organisation (Seguridad Social): Click here
For the Europa database of EHIC institutions: Click here

Non-Residents Claiming in Spain

Doctors and Dentists: Present the EHIC card immediately and ensure that the medic is not a private physician, there is no refund system for private treatment unless there is a private insurance policy in effect. Dentistry is not usually covered by the health service and as such fees will not be refunded.

Prescriptions: State (EEA) pensioners (with proof of status) are eligible for free prescriptions, all other cases must pay up to 40 percent of the total cost.

Hospital Treatment: Make sure the hospital is not private; otherwise the patient is liable for the whole cost (unless there is a private insurance policy. Present the EHIC as soon as treatment begins.

British Residents of Spain

If a British national is a permanent resident of Spain (or on an E106) and paying into the Spanish system, applications for the card must be made in Spain; the card will not be issued in Britain.