BRITS heading to Europe next year will need to be aware of a number of new rules in place since Brexit.
One thing holidaymakers may not be aware of are the new health cards needed.
UCLWe’ve explained everything you need to know about GHICs in 2023[/caption]
Here is everything you need to know.
What are GHICs?
GHIC stands for Global Healthcare Insurance Card.
These are the new cards that Brits should take on holiday with them when heading to countries in the EU.
It has replaced the European Insurance Health Card (EHIC) which Brits needed, but this has been scrapped since Brexit.
They allow Brits to access the same free healthcare as is offered to citizens in the country, such as emergency treatments, maternity care or treatment for long-term health conditions.
All EU countries are in the scheme, but this does not include Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein.
However, the new GHIC is not valid in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
Anyone who forgets to take it on holiday with them can apply for a provisional replacement certificate (PRC) by contacting NHS Overseas Healthcare Services (NHSOHS).
Holidaymakers are still advised to take out travel insurance as the GHIC does not cover all medical emergencies.
What if I have an EHIC?
The EHICs are still valid until their expiry date, so don’t worry if you still have a few years left on them.
When they expire, you will then be given a GHIC instead when you apply.
It is thought hundreds of thousands have expired already.
How do I get a GHIC?
GHICs are free, and you can apply on the NHS website.
Make sure you don’t pay for the cards, as some scam websites will try and charge for the free cards.
How long does it take to get a GHIC?
They can take around 10-20 days to be delivered depending on demand so you will need to allow enough time ahead of your holidays.
Research by Which? found they were taking as long as 20 days in September.
We’ve explained everything you need to know about your holiday to an EU country since the Brexit deal was introduced.
AlamyThe new cards have replaced the EHICs[/caption] Read More