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What is a GHIC card?

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In short: The UK Global Health Insurance Card gives access to medically necessary state healthcare in EU countries and some others at local resident rates — free to apply on NHS.uk. It is not a substitute for travel insurance.

Last reviewed:

Reviewed by Kaiser Khan

Replaced new EHIC applications for UK residents after Brexit.

Does not cover repatriation, private treatment or trip cancellation. TravelShifu's [GHIC vs travel insurance](travelshifu.com/guides/ghic-travel-insurance-europe) explainer covers the same split for trip planning.

See our GHIC explained guide.

Primary source: nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/healthcare-abroad

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