L
Lightning
Applying for healthcare cover abroad (GHIC and EHIC)
Find out if you're eligible to apply for a new UK EHIC or UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC).
www.nhs.uk
Buy all your VW California Accessories at the Club Shop Visit Shop
The EHIC won’t cover you in any country unless you are UK State Pensioner or meet one of the other narrow specified criteria.An important section on that page is...
From 1 January 2021, GHICs and most UK EHICs will not cover you in Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland. If you’re visiting those countries, make sure you have travel insurance with health cover.
That is incorrect. The EHIC only remains valid for pensioners, except in Norway etc, if they already have one, or if they apply now they get a GHIC which offers the same cover as the old EHIC, with Norway etc no longer covered.I read that page very differently. Does it not say that existing EHICs remain valid (except for Norway etc) and that GHIC will be issued to new applicants? The difference for pensioners seems to be that they can still apply for EHIC?
That is incorrect. The EHIC only remains valid for pensioners, except in Norway etc, if they already have one, or if they apply now they get a GHIC which offers the same cover as the old EHIC, with Norway etc no longer covered.
If you are not a state pensioner and don’t meet any of the other criteria the EHIC does not cover you anywhere.
I don't see it stated anywhere that the continuation of existing EHICs is limited to pensioners.That is incorrect. The EHIC only remains valid for pensioners, except in Norway etc, if they already have one, or if they apply now they get a GHIC which offers the same cover as the old EHIC, with Norway etc no longer covered.
If you are not a state pensioner and don’t meet any of the other criteria the EHIC does not cover you anywhere.
I drew my conclusion from this section. Which states inly the people listed can get a new EJIC/GHIC after 1 Jan 2021. I interpreted this as meaning the EHIC remains valid for those groups. I am not so confident now, as the introduction above does state that EHICS remain valid. Does this mean it remains valid for everybody or only those groups entitled to apply after Jan 2021?Start at the top of the page...
A European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) gives you the right to access state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in the EU country.
The UK has reached an agreement on healthcare when visiting the EU.
You can continue to use an EHIC or get a provisional replacement certificate (PRC) if you need treatment and don't have a card.
If you apply for a card now, you'll get a new UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) instead of an EHIC. These pages and the application portal will still refer to EHIC until 4 January 2021.
You do not need to apply for a GHIC if you already have an EHIC. Your EHIC remains valid in the EU until it expires.
From 1 January 2021, GHICs and most UK EHICs will not cover you in Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland.
I don’t know if you noticed but this page has recently changed and it previously gave the distinct impression that it would only be valid for those who remained eligible to apply foe a new card. Prior to the change, that eligibility list was very limited but did included pensioners. That seems to have now changed, presumably due to the recent agreement reached with the EU.I drew my conclusion from this section. Which states inly the people listed can get a new EJIC/GHIC after 1 Jan 2021. I interpreted this as meaning the EHIC remains valid for those groups. I am not so confident now, as the introduction above does state that EHICS remain valid. Does this mean it remains valid for everybody or only those groups entitled to apply after Jan 2021?
Using a new UK EHIC from 1 January 2021
Some people may be able to get a new UK-issued EHIC which will remain valid after 1 January 2021.
You can apply if you're:
- an EU, Swiss, Norwegian, Icelandic or Liechtenstein citizen living in the UK by 31 December 2020
- a UK State Pensioner or receiving some other exportable benefits, and you have a registered S1 form or E121
- a frontier worker (someone who works in one state and lives in another) by 31 December 2020, for as long as you continue to be a frontier worker in the host state, and you’re eligible for an S1 form or E106
- a worker posted to work in another EU country, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland by your UK employer, where the country has agreed to let the posting continue
- an eligible family member or dependant of one of the above
- a UK student studying in the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland by 31 December 2020
I don’t think so, from this paragraph in the original link:I think that the Govt webpages referenced above indicate that continued application in Norway etc and renewal of existing EHICs applies to UK pensioners (and possibly some others) resident in the EU, not to UK pensioners in general.
Try again after Jan 4th. You should be eligible for a GHIC. It looks like only UK pensioners living in the EU will be able to get a new UK EHIC, and only this type of EHIC will still cover in Norway etc. Your GHIC will cover all of the EU but not Norway etc. It is not clear though.I have just applied, as a UK state pensioner, for a new EHIC. My current one expires in May 2021. My application via the NHS website was refused as ineligible.
i just saw this one which will catch a few people out too.Oh well that’s about as clear as mud..The other thing that bothers me is that you won’t be allowed to take any meat or milk based products into the EU. Normally we stock or fridge with lots of goods that we can’t buy in France or Spain. How many brits are going to be caught out with that one.
At the beginning of 2020 we were advised to put Customs dec forms on all the parcels that we sent within the EU..Mainly because nobody had any idea what was going on. I just warned customers about the ongoing situation, never had any problems..All countries have different rates in which customs duty and tax is paid and some are very strict like Norway (non EEC).i just saw this one which will catch a few people out too.
UK shoppers face Brexit duties on holiday and online purchases
UK shoppers may have parcels held at post office until fees paid as red tape introduced from 1 Januarywww.theguardian.com
Does that include Marmite? If not, not too bothered.Oh well that’s about as clear as mud..The other thing that bothers me is that you won’t be allowed to take any meat or milk based products into the EU. Normally we stock or fridge with lots of goods that we can’t buy in France or Spain. How many brits are going to be caught out with that one.
That's how I read it to.I read that page very differently. Does it not say that existing EHICs remain valid (except for Norway etc) and that GHIC will be issued to new applicants? The difference for pensioners seems to be that they can still apply for EHIC?
We got a new Card last year and it doesn’t run out till 2025 but still wouldn’t travel In Europe without medical insurance..That's how I read it to.
The VW California Club is the worlds largest resource for all owners and enthusiasts of VW California campervans.