GHIC Card: UK Healthcare Access for European Travel
The Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) is a UK travel document that replaced the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) after Brexit, providing access to government-run healthcare in EU countries on the same terms as local residents. The card is free to apply for through the NHS website, lasts five years, and covers emergency hospital treatment and GP visits, though coverage varies by country. Understanding GHIC is important for the millions of UK residents who travel to Europe annually, though it should be supplemented with comprehensive travel insurance.
The GHIC card was introduced following the UK's departure from the European Union to replace the EHIC, allowing British travellers to access healthcare at government-run hospitals and clinics across Europe. The card provides the same level of healthcare access as local residents in the visited country, typically including emergency hospital treatment and GP visits, though specific coverage varies by nation. Applications are free and available through the NHS website, requiring personal details such as National Insurance and NHS numbers, with cards valid for five years. However, the GHIC is not a substitute for travel insurance, as it does not cover emergency repatriation, lost belongings, flight delays, or holiday cancellation. According to the Office for National Statistics, UK residents made approximately 94.6 million visits abroad in 2024, with Spain, France, and Italy among the top European destinations.
What different sources said
- The TelegraphRight
What is a GHIC card?
Related
Indian-Origin Cardiac Surgeon Sued for Wrong Heart Valve Implant Surgery on 13-Year-Old
Dr. Ashok Muralidaran, an Indian-origin pediatric cardiac surgeon at Oregon Health and Science University, is facing a $17 million lawsuit after allegedly implanting a heart valve upside down during surgery on a 13-year-old girl in August 2025. The girl's heart could not be restarted after the procedure and she required mechanical life support before being transferred to Seattle Children's Hospital, where the misplacement was discovered. The case sparked social media debate about medical education standards, though the surgeon completed his advanced training in the United States.
Apple Launches Perimenopause Detection Feature in Health App Update
Apple announced at its Worldwide Developer Conference that its Health app will soon include features to detect perimenopause and menopause by tracking irregular bleeding patterns and symptoms. The feature, launching later in 2026, expands on existing menstrual cycle tracking and aims to help users recognize life stage transitions and prepare for medical conversations. While some health experts welcome increased awareness, others caution that such technology may medicalize a natural life stage and shift healthcare responsibility to individuals.
Person dies from rare Murray Valley Encephalitis virus in Western Australia
A person has died after contracting Murray Valley Encephalitis, a rare mosquito-borne virus, while travelling in Western Australia's north, marking the first reported death from the virus in WA this year. The individual was likely exposed in early May in the West Kimberley region, about 2,000 kilometres north of Perth, before being transferred to a Perth hospital where they died. Health authorities are urging residents and tourists to protect themselves from mosquito bites as the region enters its peak tourism season, noting the virus can cause serious brain infection though complications remain rare.