Published October 14, 2025
Heading abroad in Europe while keeping your health coverage intact is still a common concern for expats. In 2025, the rules around the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC / CEAM) have some updates and reminders worth knowing. This article will walk you — step by step — through what the card covers, how to renew it, and how to stay protected while traveling or on temporary stays.
If you are an EU/EEA citizen or legally resident in an EU country, you can use the EHIC / CEAM when traveling in other member states. It allows you to receive medically necessary care under the same conditions as locals — not for long-term planned procedures.
But be careful: the card doesn't replace travel or private insurance — it doesn't cover private costs, repatriation, or non-urgent treatments.
Also, for UK cardholders, the EHIC must be checked, and in many cases replaced by the GHIC.
Validity & renewal: Check when your card expires and renew it in time.
Issuing time: In some countries, the card is mailed within 5 to 7 working days.
Provisional certificate: If you travel within 10 days and haven't gotten your new card yet, some states issue a provisional replacement (e.g. for three months).
Limited scope: EHIC only covers "medically necessary" treatment — definitions depend on each country's health system.
1. Check your current EHIC / CEAM: note the expiry. If it's nearing expiration, start a renewal via your national health portal (for example, 'mon compte ameli' in France). Learn more about European healthcare systems for expats.
2. Apply early — ideally weeks before any trip — to avoid gaps in coverage.
3. If you leave soon: request a provisional certificate if your country offers it. Before traveling, check the new EES border requirements.
4. Keep a digital backup: a scanned copy or photo on your phone helps in emergencies.
5. Buy a supplemental travel/private insurance to cover what EHIC does not: repatriation, private care, etc.
6. When you use it on site: present the card to the local provider, ask for a complete receipt. You may pay upfront or a portion, depending on local rules, then claim reimbursement under your home scheme. For longer stays, see our guide to getting around Europe.
Concrete example: Suppose you live in Germany but travel for a week to France. You show your German EHIC at a French hospital, get treated, pay any local balance, then bring receipts home to Germany for reimbursement under German rates.
No — generally EHIC covers only medically necessary treatment during a temporary stay. Planned or non-urgent procedures are typically excluded. You must check the host country's health rules.
You should renew it right away. If your country issues a provisional certificate (e.g. valid for 3 months), request that to cover you while waiting for the new card.
No — EHIC does not cover private care or repatriation. For those, supplemental travel or private insurance is essential.
For more practical insights on this topic, explore our related articles:
Conclusion: In short: the CEAM / EHIC remains a simple, trustworthy tool for getting essential care while traveling in Europe. But in 2025, it does require some foresight: check its validity, renew in time, and — importantly — don't rely on it for everything. Supplement it with travel or private insurance for full peace of mind. With that, you head off better equipped and more confident.
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Jules Guerini is a European expat guide sharing practical, tested advice for navigating life abroad. From admin to housing to healthcare, he focuses on simple strategies that actually work. Contact: info@expatadminhub.com
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