(22-08-2019, 08:33 AM)Emmi Smith Wrote: PS - Anyone have any insight regarding Brexit and the continuation of the EHIC?
No deal = No EHIC. At least right after Brexit.
What does Brexit mean for European Health Insurance Cards?
Entitlement to UK-issued EHIC cards is currently determined by EU law, with a residency-based system used as the deciding factor for eligibility. Those who pay taxes or National Insurance contributions within the UK are currently entitled to an EHIC card.
However, in 2016 the UK voted to leave the European Union, in a decision known as Brexit. The negotiations are ongoing, and the official Brexit date has now been moved to
October 2019. It is hoped that the UK will be able to arrange a deal with the EU, which will provide access to schemes such as EHIC cards.
Will EHIC’s be valid if there is no Brexit deal?
If the UK is forced to leave the UK without a deal, the EHIC will no longer be valid. The government is currently advising those who are planning to travel within the EEA or to Switzerland, to ensure they purchase adequate travel insurance.
The government is seeking to arrange healthcare agreements for UK nationals, but currently there are no final plans in place. In the Brexit White Paper which the government issued on 12
July 2018, they confirmed they want UK nationals to be able to continue to use their EHIC cards to access healthcare while visiting EEA countries.
There are currently reciprocal arrangements in place between the UK and some countries outside the EU, including New Zealand and Australia. It is hoped that if EHIC’s are no longer valid a similar reciprocal deal can be arranged with EU countries.
Courtesy of
EHIC UK.