Nearly two million EHIC and GHIC health cards issued in the UK are due to expire in 2025, prompting travel insurance providers to warn of potential financial exposure for travellers who rely solely on these cards for medical protection abroad.
Data obtained by travel insurer Holidaysafe from the NHS Business Services Authority showed that 1.96 million health cards, including EHICs, GHICs and UK EHICs under the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement, are set to lapse this year. The expiry wave coincides with a busy summer travel season, raising concerns that some travellers may unknowingly be left without adequate healthcare access or financial protection while overseas.
Although EHIC and GHIC cards provide access to emergency or medically necessary treatment in public healthcare systems across EU countries, they do not cover private care, repatriation costs or more complex scenarios such as cruise-related illness or mountain rescues. These are typically covered under standard travel insurance policies, which remain a key risk transfer tool for individuals travelling abroad.
Amber Moon, brand manager at Holidaysafe, noted that many travellers are unaware their cards are close to expiry.
“You could end up facing a bill of hundreds or even thousands of pounds for treatment that would otherwise have been covered,” she said.
Moon added that card renewal is free via the official NHS website, but emphasised that health cards should not be viewed as a replacement for travel insurance.
Insurance professionals are also drawing attention to the rising costs associated with medical treatment abroad, which can quickly escalate without adequate cover. NHS data shows that the UK has paid more than £813 million under reciprocal healthcare agreements since 2016 to cover treatment for UK travellers in Europe. In 2019 alone, just before the COVID-19 pandemic, the figure reached £127.3 million.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, or FCDO, has also advised travellers to maintain valid health cards but stressed that GHICs and EHICs “won’t cover everything,” and that reviewing travel insurance policies remains essential.
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) and other industry groups have consistently urged consumers to understand the limits of GHIC/EHIC coverage and to review the terms of their travel insurance policies, particularly for those with pre-existing medical conditions, those planning adventure holidays, or travel to destinations outside of the European Union.
As the number of valid health cards has fallen by 3.4 million since 2020, insurers are reminding travellers to not only renew expired cards but also ensure that their travel insurance offers adequate protection for medical care, cancellations, repatriation, and other unexpected costs.
