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EHIC & GHIC at a glance
- ✓The card is free — never pay a third-party site claiming to charge for it.
- ✓It covers unplanned medically necessary care during temporary stays, not relocation.
- ✓UK citizens use the GHIC since 2021; it is recognised across the EU under the same conditions as the EHIC.
- ✓If you settle in France permanently, you need to register with Ameli/PUMa — your EHIC/GHIC will not work for routine care once you are a French resident.
What is the EHIC and what does it cover?
The EHIC is issued by the social security institution of your home country and proves to a foreign hospital, GP or pharmacy that you are entitled to state-provided healthcare. When you present it during a temporary stay in another EU/EEA country or Switzerland, you receive treatment under the local public healthcare system on the same terms as a local resident.
In France specifically, this means the doctor or hospital can bill the local CPAM directly, and you only pay the patient share (30% on a GP visit, 20% on hospital care, plus the daily hospital flat fee). Without an EHIC or GHIC, you would have to pay everything upfront and seek reimbursement later — a much slower and more bureaucratic process.
- Unplanned medically necessary care during a temporary stay
- Treatment for ongoing conditions such as diabetes or asthma (e.g. dialysis, oxygen therapy — pre-arrangement may be needed)
- Routine maternity care if the pregnancy was not the reason for travel
- Emergency care, including hospitalisation following an accident
- Travel specifically to receive medical treatment (planned medical tourism)
- Private clinics — the EHIC only works in publicly contracted facilities
- Repatriation to your home country if you fall seriously ill abroad
- The patient share (the 20-30% France charges on top of the social security reimbursement)
- Long-term care after you become a resident — you must register with the local health system
For these gaps, a separate travel insurance policy is recommended on top of the EHIC/GHIC, especially for trips outside the EU.
Who is eligible?
EU, EEA and Swiss residents
You can hold an EHIC if you are insured by, or covered by, the public social security system of an EU member state, the EEA (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway) or Switzerland. Each member of your family needs their own card — there is no family card. Children under 16 are added through their parent's institution but receive a separate physical or digital card.
Non-EU nationals legally residing in an EU country and covered by its public health system can typically apply for an EHIC, but the card is not accepted in Denmark, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland for non-EU holders.
The UK GHIC since Brexit
After Brexit, UK residents are no longer entitled to the EHIC. They use the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) instead, introduced in January 2021. The GHIC works like the old EHIC for visits to EU member states, including France — same coverage, same conditions. If you are relocating rather than just visiting, see our dedicated guide to moving to France from the UK.
Two important UK-specific points:
- →UK citizens covered by the Withdrawal Agreement (resident in an EU country before 31 December 2020) keep access to a continued EHIC under their host-country social security.
- →UK retirees who hold an S1 form (state pension recipients) get an EHIC issued by their host country, not by the UK.
The GHIC does not cover Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway except for a small subset of UK nationals (e.g. those with prior coverage rights). For these countries, separate travel insurance is essential.
EHIC, GHIC or Carte Vitale: which one do you need?
The card you need depends on one thing: whether you are visiting France or living in it. The EHIC and GHIC cover temporary stays; once you become a resident, the Carte Vitale takes over.
| Card | Who holds it | What it covers in France | When to use it |
|---|---|---|---|
| EHIC | EU, EEA and Swiss residents | State healthcare on the same terms as a local, minus the patient share | Short visits and holidays in France |
| GHIC | UK residents (post-Brexit) | Same as the EHIC for visits to EU states, including France | Short visits to France from the UK |
| Carte Vitale | Registered French residents | Full access to the French public health system (PUMa) | Once you live in France for more than 3 months |
Indicative summary — always check official requirements for your situation.
How to apply
The EHIC and GHIC are always free. Avoid third-party websites charging an "administrative fee" — they're at best middlemen, at worst scams. Apply directly via your country's social security website.
| Where you're insured | Apply via | Typical delivery |
|---|---|---|
| France | Your Ameli account on ameli.fr — digital CEAM available immediately | 10–15 days |
| United Kingdom | The GHIC application at nhs.uk | Up to 15 working days |
| Other EU/EEA | Your national portal — find yours via the European Commission directory | Varies by country |
Cards typically remain valid for 2 to 5 years, depending on the issuing country. You can renew up to six months before expiry. France issues digital cards via the Ameli mobile app since 2023 — the QR code shown in-app is officially recognised by health professionals across the EU.
If you move to France permanently
Once you settle in France for more than three months and become a stable resident, your foreign EHIC/GHIC stops being the right tool. You need to register with the French social security system through PUMa (Protection Universelle Maladie) and apply for a Carte Vitale. Once registered, France issues your own EHIC for trips elsewhere in Europe. Our healthcare in France hub walks through PUMa, the mutuelle top-up and finding a GP.
Trying to use a UK GHIC or US insurance for routine French care once you live here is a frequent error. The GHIC is only for short visits, not for ongoing residence. Settle the paperwork early — the application process can take 3 to 6 months.
For pensioners moving from the UK or another EU country, the S1 form is the better route: your home country pays for your French healthcare, and you don't need GHIC at all. See our retiring in France guide for the full process.
Frequently asked questions
Does the GHIC work in France? Read more Close
Yes. The UK GHIC works in France exactly like the old EHIC: it gives you state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay on the same terms as a French resident, minus the patient share (the 20-30% France charges on top of the public reimbursement). It does not cover private clinics or repatriation.
Is the EHIC or GHIC free? Read more Close
Yes — both cards are always free. Apply directly through your national social security service (ameli.fr in France, nhs.uk for the UK GHIC). Any website asking you to pay an "administrative fee" is a third-party middleman or a scam.
Can I use my EHIC or GHIC if I live in France permanently? Read more Close
No. The EHIC and GHIC only cover temporary stays. Once you reside in France for more than three months, you must register with PUMa and apply for a Carte Vitale for your routine care. France then issues your own EHIC for trips elsewhere in Europe.
What does the EHIC not cover in France? Read more Close
The EHIC does not cover planned medical treatment (medical tourism), private clinics, repatriation, the patient share you owe on top of the public reimbursement, or long-term care after you become a resident. A separate travel insurance policy is recommended to fill these gaps.
How long does an EHIC or GHIC take to arrive? Read more Close
Typically 10 to 15 days for the physical card. In France, the digital version (CEAM) is available immediately in your Ameli account, and since 2023 the QR code in the Ameli app is recognised by health professionals across the EU.