MARTIN Lewis has issued an urgent warning to Brits travelling to Spain and France this summer.
The personal finance guru explained how changing regulations around two essential documents could leave Brits in the lurch.
ITVMartin Lewis warned viewers about expiring health insurance cards.[/caption]
First of all, he addressed the transition from the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC).
The cards guarantee British tourists access to state-run hospitals and GPs in all the covered countries at the same price as locals.
All EU countries are covered, as well as Norway, Iceland, Lichtenstein and Switzerland.
Martin explained that 5.4 million of the old EHICs are set to expire this year.
They can be renewed at nhs.uk for free.
Martin said: “To renew it, it is always free.
“If anybody is charging you, they are a shyster trying to steal your money.
“There is no such thing as a fast track.”
The cards are always advisable, he added, as they could prevent you from needing to pay the excess on your travel insurance.
If you are caught short without one on holiday, you can contact the NHS and ask for a provisional replacement certificate.
Secondly, Martin discussed the requirements for passports to remain valid.
He explained the passport must be under ten years old on the day you enter the country and that you have at least 6 months left on the document from the same day.
Martin added that the Passport Office currently advises people to allow “up to 10 weeks” for a renewal, though he had heard of longer delays.
He said: “Let me be plain…the travel insurance company will not allow you to claim if [an invalid passport] is the reason you can’t go on holiday.
It comes as one viewer shared how the money saving expert helped him save £2,000 on a holiday with a travel insurance tip.
Martin’s show returned tonight for the second of a two-part special series, this time focussing on summer holiday tips.
As well as travel insurance, he advised viewers on the best debit and credit cards to use both in and outside of the EU and how to get the best exchange rates.
The show will return for a full series in October.