# European Health Insurance Card usage and coverage

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/european-health-insurance-card-usage-and-coverage
> Updated: 2026-08-21T04:00:00.000Z. Sources: 10. Developments: 3.

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) provides travelers with access to urgent and necessary medical care in EU member states, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. The coverage includes emergencies, chronic conditions, and pregnancy, offering the same conditions and costs as local residents. However, it is not a substitute for private travel insurance, as it does not cover planned treatments or private healthcare costs.

While the card is free and can be applied for through national health insurers, it has significant limitations regarding out-of-pocket expenses. In several countries, patients face high co-payments or direct payments for hospital stays and medication. Eurostat data indicates high rates of direct patient payments in Bulgaria, Latvia, and Greece, while nations such as France, Italy, and Austria often require fixed daily fees for hospitalization that are not covered by the EHIC.

A critical gap in coverage is medical repatriation. The card does not cover the costs of air transport back to a home country following serious illness or injury. These costs can be extreme, potentially exceeding 5 million CZK for long-distance repatriation or 2 million CZK for specialized care requiring ventilators in non-EU countries. For trips outside the EHIC network, experts advise obtaining comprehensive travel insurance to cover emergency medical treatment, hospital stays, medication, and medical evacuation.

To assist travelers, replacement certificates can be obtained online while abroad if a card is lost or expired. In Lithuania, the State Health Insurance Fund has issued nearly 23,000 such certificates this year to support citizens traveling during the summer season.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-21: European Health Insurance Card coverage limits and medical tourism trends

The European Health Insurance Card covers necessary public healthcare in the EU but excludes private clinics, elective treatments, and costly medical repatriations, necessitating separate travel insurance.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/european-health-insurance-card-offers-limited-protection-for-travelers

### 2026-08-12: European Health Insurance Card provides essential medical coverage for travelers

The European Health Insurance Card provides essential medical coverage for travelers in the EU and select non-EU countries. If the card is unavailable, a digital certificate can be obtained online.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/european-health-insurance-card-provides-essential-medical-coverage-for-travelers

### 2026-08-04: Travelers' Health Coverage Options Across Europe and Beyond

EHIC provides urgent medical care in the EU and nearby countries, but travelers should also secure insurance for broader coverage and emergencies abroad.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/travelers-health-coverage-options-across-europe-and-beyond

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Cite as: European Health Insurance Card usage and coverage. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/european-health-insurance-card-usage-and-coverage