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Applying for a European Health Insurance Card

Last modified date:

9 February 2007

You can apply for a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) online, by phone or by post.

You can apply for an EHIC for your spouse/partner and any children up to the age of 16 (or 19 if they are in full-time education) at the same time as applying for your own. If you are a foster parent or guardian (including boarding school teaching staff), you can apply on behalf of any children you are looking after. You must be over 16 to apply as a main applicant.

Regardless of how you apply, you will need to have the following information to hand for everyone you are applying for:

name and date of birth
NHS or national insurance (NI) number.

In Scotland the NHS number is known as the Community Health Index (CHI) number and in Northern Ireland it is known as the Health and Care number.

The EHIC is issued by the Prescription Pricing Authority (PPA) and is free of charge.

Applying online

The quickest and easiest way to apply for an EHIC is online. Your card will be delivered within seven days.

Applying by phone

To apply by phone, call 0845 606 2030 and have the information listed above ready. When your application is completed, your card will be delivered within 10 days.

Applying by post

To apply by post, pick up the EHIC form and pre-addressed envelope from the Post Office. Your card will be delivered within 21 days. For a nominal fee, the Post Office will check your completed application form and forward it for processing. This service is optional.

There is space for up to four dependent children on the application form. If you apply online or by telephone, you can apply on behalf of more children.

Some people can only apply by post:

People who do not have British, other EU, EEA or Swiss nationality legally residing in the UK are entitled to a UK-issued EHIC but can only apply by post. You will need to send a photocopy of your proof of entitlement to reside in the UK (i.e. the visa stamp from your passport or your Home Office letter) as well as your completed application form.
Other people who are planning to live, work or study in an European Economic Area (EEA) country or Switzerland may also have to apply by post. See the 'Other circumstances affecting eligibility' section for more information.

If you are applying by post and you lose the pre-addressed envelope, send your completed application form to:

EHIC Applications
PO Box 1115
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE99 1SW

Other circumstances affecting eligibility

Lost or stolen EHICs

If you lose your EHIC, or it is stolen, you will need to apply for a replacement.

What to do if you lose your EHIC

Renewals

When your EHIC expires, you can renew it online, by telephone or by post. You can renew your EHIC no more than six months before its expiry date.

Change of details

If the details on your card change - e.g. if you change your name because you get married or divorced - call the EHIC Enquiries Line on 0845 605 0707 or write to the EHIC Enquiries service.