New Policy in UK from 1st January 2021: European Health Insurance Card expiring

New Policy- New Law in UK: Since January 2021, there would be some major changes to the law in the UK relating to the European Health Insurance Card. Below are some notable pieces of information for all UK residents to know.

European Health Insurance Card. Photo: Top World Traveling.

How will the law change since January 2021?

The EHIC is a neat - and free - little thing that allows Brits to state-provided medical treatment in EU countries in the event of illness or accident. It also works in Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein and plenty of Brits take advantage with 27 million cards issued.

Unlike some travel insurance, it even covers pre-existing conditions. However, from the end of this year, the EHIC will not be valid for most Brits as we leave the EU. Instead, travellers are advised to make sure you get travel insurance that covers your needs, particularly those who have a pre-existing medical condition, as reported by the Mirror UK.

There are some exceptions to the new law

UK state pensioners living in the EU before the end of 2020 will still be able to use their EHIC beyond 2020.

UK students who start a course in the EU before the end of 2020 will also still be able to use their EHIC until their course finishes.

The same applies to so-called 'frontier workers' defined as people who work in one state and live in another. But for the vast majority of us, it's just another benefit we need to wave bye-bye to.

What is the European Health Insurance Card?

Guaranteed healthcare across European countries is one of the most important services offered to residents of the area. That’s why Europeans travelling to other nations in the European Economic Area (EEA) and the European Union (EU) as well as Switzerland and the United Kingdom need to keep their European Health Insurance Card at hand and up to date. According to the Etiasvisa, the Card is completely free and gives access to healthcare in all EEA/ EU countries plus Switzerland and the UK.

EU countries. Photo: Maproom.

List of EU countries

Austria

Belgium

Bulgaria

Croatia

Cyprus

Czech Republic

Denmark

Estonia

Finland

France

Greece

Germany

Hungary

Ireland

Italy

Latvia

Lithuania

Luxembourg

Malta

The Netherlands

Poland

Portugal

Romania

Slovakia

Slovenia

Spain

Sweden

EEA countries

Norway

Iceland

Liechtenstein.

Other countries

Switzerland

The United Kingdom. Although the UK has officially left the EU, all EU laws (including those regarding the EHIC) will apply until the transition period ends. The transition period is expected to run until the 31st of December 2020.

The Card guarantees the same healthcare conditions and services as those enjoyed in one’s country of residency. Europeans can use it in all of the above nations regardless of the reason why they’re travelling abroad (i.e. study, work, business, tourism).

What can people do with the card?

It’s important to notice that the European Health Insurance Card is not private travel insurance and, therefore, cannot be used as one.

The following is a list of costs and circumstances that cannot be covered by the Card:

Private health insurance

A return ticket in case of cancellation

Body repatriation costs

The loss or theft of luggage and other personal belongings

Healthcare services and treatments that are not free in the traveller’s own country

Costs of treatments when the trip was made specifically for medical purposes.

If the public healthcare system on is travelling to is not free, the Card’s holder will be charged for medical attention and treatment the same way local residents are.

Who can apply for the card?

Photo: high-network-immigration.com

In order to obtain the Card, Europeans must meet at least one of the following requirements:

Being covered by the national healthcare system of any of the EU or EEA countries or the UK / Switzerland

Being a non-EU, EEA, Swiss or British citizen, but being a resident of one of the aforementioned countries and having access to its national healthcare system.

What is its validity?

In order to obtain the Card, Europeans must meet at least one of the following requirements:

Being covered by the national healthcare system of any of the EU or EEA countries or the UK / Switzerland

Being a non-EU, EEA, Swiss or British citizen, but being a resident of one of the aforementioned countries and having access to its national healthcare system.

How to renew the card?

Once the Card expires, its holder should take steps to renew it if they want to continue enjoying access to the European public healthcare system. The process to renew the Card is the same as that to request it for the first time.

Visit Knowinsiders to read more about the other 6 changes in UK law!