Quick EHIC Question

nicenswift

Hi,
My familys EHIC cards expired at the end of October.
If we are not planing on next going abroad till 2021 is there any reason to renew as I have been informed that they will be useless after 1.1.2021 (Brexit)
Many thanks for your time.

Hasbeen

Quick Answer:

What will happen after 2020?

If you are travelling after 2020, the EHIC will no longer be valid for most UK citizens.

The government website says you should buy travel insurance with healthcare cover before you go on holiday.

It warns that it is "particularly important" to get travel insurance with the right cover if you have a pre-existing medical condition.

UK state pensioners living in the EU before the end of 2020 will be able to use their EHIC beyond 2020.

The EHIC will also be valid for the UK students who start a course in the EU before the end of 2020 until their course finishes and for so-called 'frontier workers' - people who work in one state and live in another.

TELLIT01

If you aren't travelling abroad there is no value to having an EHIC card anyway.  If agreement is made for reciprocal medical care just order one before you travel next time.

jonesMUFCforever

Can I just add from now on make sure you have adequate travel insurance for your holidays (taken out at time of booking) and don't rely on ''We'll take a chance its only Europe''.

nicenswift

Many thanks for the great replies.
Although I do not plan to travel for the rest of 2020 I do intend to travel to the likes of Lanzarote (if allowed)  in 2021.
Is it still worth renewing or will they be useless when we get to 2021 ?

Angain many thanks

eDicky

If, and it's a big 'if', reciprocal EHIC arrangements are included in an agreement that may be concluded before the end of the EU withdrawal transition period (another big 'if'), just apply for new EHICs before travel, as already suggested.

TELLIT01

nicenswift said:

Many thanks for the great replies.
Although I do not plan to travel for the rest of 2020 I do intend to travel to the likes of Lanzarote (if allowed)  in 2021.
Is it still worth renewing or will they be useless when we get to 2021 ?

Angain many thanks

EHIC coverage doesn't need to be continuous so there is no reason to renew it at present.  Given the proximity to the end of validity, and the current travel restrictions the Government may not be issuing them anyway.

Silvertabby

Whatever happens with the EHIC, you'll still need private travel insurance.  EHIC only covers basic emergency treatment - it doesn't cover, for example, a medical support flight back to the UK.  As many have found to their cost.  

richardw

No harm in getting one.

SallySunshine

I’ve just checked mine and it has expired in September, no trouble renewing but this time had to register with password etc  also gave me chance to renew husbands as well.
should receive new card within 10 days.
I had gone on to the Gov. site but that was just for a new one and seemed more for students travelling.

Neil49

I renewed mine earlier this year and it expires at the end of December 2020.

If you apply for a new one now it will only last for a few weeks at which time it will be useless.