The European Health Insurance Card is not insurance: what it covers (and what it does not) on exchange
It is free, but it does not pay for private healthcare, a flight home or a stolen phone. And if you are going to Türkiye, Serbia or North Macedonia, it does not apply.
By Domenico Di Siena · Published
✓ Every figure verified in its original source
The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is the first health task on almost any exchange checklist. It is also the most misunderstood.
What it covers
According to the European Commission, the card entitles you to medically necessary care in the public healthcare system of the country you are staying in, during a temporary stay, under the same conditions and at the same cost as people insured there. It is valid in the 27 EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
“At the same cost” means that if locals pay a share, so do you. The card is free, but treatment is not always free.
What it does not cover
- Private healthcare.
- Repatriation, such as a flight home if you fall ill.
- Lost or stolen belongings.
- Trips made in order to receive treatment.
The Commission itself says the card is not an alternative to travel insurance. Universities such as the University of Amsterdam recommend additional private insurance for what the card does not pay.
It is not valid in every Erasmus+ country either: Türkiye, Serbia and North Macedonia are not on the list. There you need full health insurance.
Before you leave
The card is issued by the health insurance body of your own country. Apply in good time and check that its expiry date covers your return.
Why it matters
Many students leave thinking the card covers everything. It covers necessary care in the public system, which matters, but repatriation, accidents and liability are separate, and many universities require them.
Sources
Every figure in this article comes from these sources. The date is when we last checked them.
- European CommissionEuropean Health Insurance Card
- Universiteit van AmsterdamHealth insurance for EU students