Can you have both UK EHIC and GHIC?

Yorkie006

Hi,
was having a discussion with colleague at work about holiday plans and insurance and this question came up...

Can you have both UK EHIC and GHIC cards?
If you can only have one, which one is better (for EU citizens living in UK) to have?
The colleague (+ family) have EHIC but is wondering if they should get GHIC.
Will applying for GHIC cancel the existing EHIC?

Thanks,

Caz3121

https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/healthcare-abroad/apply-for-a-free-uk-global-health-insurance-card-ghic/

"The UK GHIC has replaced the existing European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). If you have an existing EHIC you can continue to use it until the expiry date on the card. Once it expires, you'll need to apply for a UK GHIC to replace it."

Looks like the GHIC covers some additional countries

Yorkie006

Thanks, but that doesn't really apply in this situation. UK citizens can only apply for GHIC now, but EU citizens still have the option of getting new UK EHIC card.

The website doesn't explain if you can have both EHIC and GHIC - a lot of people, including the colleague in question, qualify for both. During the online application it gives you option to pick which to apply for (but nowhere does it say if you can have both at the same time). I.e., if you have valid EHIC, can you also apply for GHIC (for example because you're planning on going to a country not covered by EHIC)? And if you can, will the GHIC application cancel the valid EHIC?
It seems very confusing...

daveyjp

You can have both.

sheramber

Yorkie006 said:

Thanks, but that doesn't really apply in this situation. UK citizens can only apply for GHIC now, but EU citizens still have the option of getting new UK EHIC card.

The website doesn't explain if you can have both EHIC and GHIC - a lot of people, including the colleague in question, qualify for both. During the online application it gives you option to pick which to apply for (but nowhere does it say if you can have both at the same time). I.e., if you have valid EHIC, can you also apply for GHIC (for example because you're planning on going to a country not covered by EHIC)? And if you can, will the GHIC application cancel the valid EHIC?
It seems very confusing...

Does it matter if it cancels the EHIC as the GHIC covers them

Sus59

daveyjp said:

You can have both.

Interesting, do you have a source of this information please?

From someone else with dual EU/UK entitlement.

sheramber

Contact NHS overseas healthcare services


https://faq-ohs.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/contact-us/

Yorkie006

sheramber said:

.

Does it matter if it cancels the EHIC as the GHIC covers them

I asked, apparently the reason they want to keep the EHIC cards is because that is established and well known. GHIC is still new and not every doctor/hospital is familiar with it.
The colleague is from a small town that gets virtually no tourists so staff at the local hospital may not know what GHIC is/how it works. They know EHIC though as that's been around for a long time. As they have young children they'd prefer to have valid EHIC cards in case they need to get treatment quickly while visiting relatives.