The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is often treated like a safety net for travelling in Europe. It’s useful – but it’s also widely misunderstood.
EHIC can help eligible travellers access state-provided healthcare in participating countries under local rules. But it does not replace travel insurance, and it does not remove the operational complexity insurers and assistance partners deal with every day.
This article explains what EHIC typically covers, the key gaps, and why coordinated medical assistance across Europe remains essential.
What EHIC typically covers
EHIC is intended for medically necessary treatment during a temporary stay, usually within the public healthcare system. It may help with:
- Emergency treatment in public hospitals
- Treatment that can’t reasonably wait until you return home
- Some care for pre-existing conditions if it becomes necessary during the trip (subject to local rules)
The gaps: what EHIC usually doesn’t cover
EHIC is helpful, but limited. The most common gaps are:
1) Private healthcare
EHIC generally doesn’t apply to private hospitals/clinics. In some markets, travellers can enter private pathways without realising – leading to unexpected bills.
2) Repatriation and travel logistics
EHIC typically doesn’t cover medical repatriation, escorts, or extra travel and accommodation costs. In serious cases, this is often the largest exposure.
3) Co-payments and upfront fees
Even in public systems, travellers may face co-payments, prescription charges, or ambulance fees. Terms vary country by country.
4) Variations across countries
EHIC is not one standard “European system”. Rules, provider access and billing practices can differ significantly between countries – creating delays and confusion.
EHIC vs travel insurance: the practical difference
A simple way to frame it:
- EHIC helps you access the public healthcare lane (where eligible).
- Travel insurance can cover the full cost and logistics of care – including private options, repatriation, and additional expenses.
That difference matters to both travellers and partners – especially when a case escalates.
Why assistance still matters (even when EHIC applies)
EHIC can reduce some medical costs, but it rarely removes complexity. Assistance coordination adds value through:
- Correct routing to appropriate providers and pathways
- Hospital liaison and admin support to reduce delays
- Multilingual communication and consistent case updates
- Documentation and billing coordination for clearer cost visibility
- Escalation planning, including repatriation when required
For insurers and mobility partners, this directly impacts customer satisfaction, cost control and case cycle time.
Practical checklist for travellers
- Carry your EHIC (and keep a photo of it)
- Expect potential co-payments
- If possible, confirm you’re in a public facility if you want EHIC to apply
- Keep receipts and medical paperwork
- Contact your insurer/assistance line before non-urgent treatment – especially if private care is suggested
What this means for insurers and partners
EHIC is a helpful tool, but it does not eliminate the main risks in cross-border medical cases: routing, billing uncertainty, and repatriation exposure. A coordinated European assistance model helps turn those risks into a managed process.
Where Travel Support Europe fits in
Travel Support Europe provides 24/7 medical and roadside assistance across Europe, supporting insurance and mobility partners with coordinated, multilingual case handling – designed to reduce friction and improve outcomes.
