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Brexit deal means British travellers will still get free medical treatment in EU
British holidaymakers will continue to benefit from free emergency medical treatment within the EU from 1 January, it has been confirmed.
The Government says that EHICs – European Health Insurance Cards – will still be valid, which should come as a relief to those holidaymakers who would struggle to get medical insurance.
It should also reduce the likelihood of a significant rise in insurance premiums for travel to the EU, which might have been the case if there was no free available healthcare.
However, from 1 January EHICs will no longer be valid in Norway, Iceland, Lichtenstein or Switzerland.
The EHIC will be replaced by a new UK Global Health Insurance Card for UK travellers, but those that have already been issued will remain valid until their expiry date.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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