European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)

Simple, online application form for both new and replacement EHIC cards
Worry-free application process
Application checked and verified
You pay only for our check and verification service

Privacy Policy

This privacy policy sets out how nhs-direct.org.uk uses and protects any information that you give nhs-direct.org.uk when you use this website.

nhs-direct.org.uk is committed to ensuring that your privacy is protected. Should we ask you to provide certain information by which you can be identified when using this website, then you can be assured that it will only be used in accordance with this privacy statement.

nhs-direct.org.uk may change this policy from time to time by updating this page. You should check this page from time to time to ensure that you are happy with any changes. This policy is effective from 18th January 2012.

What we collect

We may collect the following information:

name
contact information including email address, postal address and phone number
national insurance or nhs number
date of birth

What we do with the information we gather

We require this information to meet your needs and fulfill your order

Security

We are committed to ensuring that your information is secure. In order to prevent unauthorised access or disclosure, we have put in place suitable physical, electronic and managerial procedures to safeguard and secure the information we collect online. Your payment details are collected via our secure server, and at no time does any other organisation (including ours) have access to your payment details.

How we use cookies

A cookie is a small file which asks permission to be placed on your computer's hard drive. Once you agree, the file is added and the cookie helps analyse web traffic or lets you know when you visit a particular site. Cookies allow web applications to respond to you as an individual. The web application can tailor its operations to your needs, likes and dislikes by gathering and remembering information about your preferences.

We use traffic log cookies to identify which pages are being used. This helps us analyse data about webpage traffic and improve our website in order to tailor it to customer needs. We only use this information for statistical analysis purposes and then the data is removed from the system.

Overall, cookies help us provide you with a better website by enabling us to monitor which pages you find useful and which you do not. A cookie in no way gives us access to your computer or any information about you, other than the data you choose to share with us.

You can choose to accept or decline cookies. Most web browsers automatically accept cookies, but you can usually modify your browser setting to decline cookies if you prefer. This may prevent you from taking full advantage of the website.

Links to other websites

Our website may contain links to other websites of interest. However, once you have used these links to leave our site, you should note that we do not have any control over that other website. Therefore, we cannot be responsible for the protection and privacy of any information which you provide whilst visiting such sites and such sites are not governed by this privacy statement. You should exercise caution and look at the privacy statement applicable to the website in question.

Controlling your personal information

We will not sell, distribute or lease your personal information to third parties unless we are required by law to do so. You may, at any time, request that any of your data that we have collected as a result of you placing an order with us be removed from our systems. To do this, simply send an email to service@nhs-direct.org.uk stating your first and last names and one other piece of personally identifiable information from the list above and instructing us to remove all personally identifiable data from our systems. Your data will be removed within 24 hours.

Applying for EHIC - your options:

Important instructions for your application:

EHIC facts & essential information:

1. Online at this website - will give you the added peace of mind that your application has been thoroughly checked before submission. Approximately one third of applications received by us contain one or more errors. Cost: £14.99 (standard processing), £19.99 (express processing - we guarantee to check & send your application within 6 hours of receipt or we will refund the extra £5).
N.B. You should allow up to 2 weeks for your card(s) to arrive. Opting for express processing means that we will prioritise processing your application, however, the actual delivery time is dependent upon the NHS and Royal Mail's delivery service. In either case, the EHIC is free - you are paying for us to check your application, contact you where appropriate, and submit your application for processing.
2. Online at the NHSBSA website - www.ehic.org.uk. There is no application review service, and no service fee (the EHIC is free of charge). N.B. the NHSBSA website is not open 24/7 (it's generally inaccessible for several hours overnight). You should allow up to 2 weeks for your card(s) to arrive.
3. At the Post Office - it used to be possible to pay a fee at your local post office for them to check and send your application, but this service has now been withdrawn.
4. By telephone - call 0845 606 2030 to use the NHSBSA Automated Telephone Service. No application review service, but no cost (except for the cost of the call itself). You should allow up to 2 weeks for your card(s) to arrive.

New Applications:

For each applicant to be included on the form, you will need:

1. Full name
2. Date of birth (main applicant MUST be over 16)
3. Address including postcode (you only enter this once - for main applicant)
4. EITHER National Insurance (NI) number (in the format AA123456B), OR your 10 digit NHS number, for main applicant and partner. For children aged under 18 included on the same form, you may enter the NI or NHS number of the main applicant.
5. If you already have your EHIC and are applying, for example, for your infant child, you must enter your own details as main applicant - the form cannot be processed with anyone under 16 entered as main applicant.

Renewal Applications:

For EHIC renewals, in addition to above, you will need your EHIC PIN. This is printed on your current card, and starts with the letters UK, followed by either 7 or 8 digits.

Lost or Stolen Cards:

Please call NHSBSA direct on 0845 606 2030. Your card(s) will be replaced free of charge.

All UK residents are entitled to an European Health Insurance Card, and should carry their card with them whenever they visit any country covered by the scheme.

The card is personal to each individual, so even infants need a card in their own name.

EHICs are issued free via the NHSBSA and you may apply direct without incurring any verification service fee.

The reciprocal healthcare arrangement covered by the scheme does NOT entitle you to free or low cost treatment where you are travelling abroad specifically for such treatment. It is designed to provide healthcare where it is deemed medically necessary. This can, however, include situations where you have a pre-existing condition and the need for medical attention arises whilst abroad.

It is absolutely essential that you take out appropriate travel insurance - EHIC is NOT a substitute. You will find that many travel insurance companies now insist that you also have an EHIC when travelling to any of the countries covered by the scheme - or at least will give you better terms if you have a valid EHIC.

EHICs issued in the UK to UK residents are valid for 5 years only. After this time, you will need to apply to renew your card.

APPLY ONLINE

IMPORTANT: For the avoidance of doubt, please note that this website is not connected to, or affiliated with, the NHSBSA, Department of Health, or any Government office. This is an independent, third-party website, offering an EHIC application review and verification service, for which a fee is payable. The fee is PER FORM and up to 2 adults and up to 4 of their dependent children aged under 18 may be included on a single application form. You do not have to have your application reviewed prior to submission, and, if you decide that the service we offer is not appropriate to your needs, you may apply direct to the NHSBSA without incurring any charge.