European vs Global (UK) health insurance cards

A key difference between British and other non-EU visitors to France is that under the Withdrawal Agreement (WA), UK visitors can continue to benefit from visitor’s medical insurance protection across Europe under the European Health Insurance Card (Ehic) system.

UK visitors with existing Ehics may continue to use them until they expire. People applying for a new card will obtain a similar card called a Ghic (Global Health Insurance Card). The latter provides the same type of coverage as the Ehic. Both are issued for a validity period of five years and are free.

WA beneficiaries living in France with S1s for their healthcare (pensioners and certain UK disability benefit claimants), have UK Ehics for use during travel out of France to other EU countries. Where they apply for a new card these are still called Ehics (not Ghics) and are marked with the letters CRA, referring to the ‘Citizen’s Rights Agreement’, part of the WA treaty.

Ehic/Ghic protection provides coverage for medically-necessary care requirements that arise during a trip. This includes treatment for pre-existing and chronic conditions, such as kidney dialysis treatments. British visitors with a valid Ghic card are entitled to the same level of care as a French national.

Elective and non-urgent medical interventions which might reasonably be delayed until the visitor returns home are not covered. Note that this includes most dental care procedures unless deemed urgent and arising during the trip. Ehics/Ghics do not cover repatriation costs or expenses incurred in the event of death.

A few French insurance companies offer a form of top-up to visitors to help with the non-state insured part of care, though this is unusual and may be limited to those on temporary long-stay visas. Other options for out-of-pocket healthcare costs include a general travel insurance policy including a suitable healthcare element, or a comprehensive healthcare policy for the trip’s duration. These could be obtained from a UK insurer or a French one serving international clients.

Visitors from other non-EU countries must rely on private health insurance policies for all of their health costs. Note that while most standard travel insurance policies include a health element, this may be limited to emergency situations and repatriation, as opposed to more standard care.

To apply for a Ghic see here.

While a Ghic protects UK visitors in the case of immediate medical needs, people travelling from the UK are encouraged by the UK government to buy additional travel insurance to cover unforeseen expenses such as mountain rescue and repatriation. This is also recommended in the highly unlikely case of extensive border control.

While we have not heard of British visitors being asked for this, non-EU visitors to France may in theory be asked to show certain documents on entry as proof that they will not overstay their 90-day visa-free visit. The Schengen Borders Code lists for this a return ticket, proof of accommodation, and proof of sufficient finances to support living expenses for the duration of the trip: once the EES gets under way, it is expected that some of the automatic terminals that visitors will use at borders will ask questions about these.

In addition, full medical insurance including repatriation costs is referred to as being required by third-country nationals visiting France on the French visas website. Having said this, a French government website says the Ehic/Ghic is the key requirement for people visiting from the UK.