How long does ehic card take to arrive

By post : Print out an application form and post it to your local health office along with any documents required. Online: Apply through the HSE website if you have a medical card or drug payment scheme card and you live in Ireland.

You are a frontier worker cross-border worker living in the EEA and working in Ireland. You are a family member of a posted worker or of someone working in Ireland and you are not covered in your own right by the EEA country you live in.

Where can I use it? What does it cover? Bring any receipts you have. The HSE will send an E form to the health authorities in the other state to find out: If you used a public health service How much of a refund is due When the HSE receive the completed E form from the other state, the HSE can see if a refund is due or not.

Should I get private travel insurance too? How much does a European Health Insurance Card cost? If you are living in Ireland If you are an Irish citizen, Irish pensioner or an EU citizen living in Ireland you can apply for an EHIC: In person at your local health office By post Online - if you have a medical card or drug payment scheme card and you live in Ireland Your card will be posted out to you within approximately 10 working days.

Send the completed form to your Local Health Office. You should send your application well in advance of your trip. Read more from Reality Check. Image source, DHSC. Image source, Alamy. You can no longer apply for a new EHIC. What is a GHIC? How easy is it to get a GHIC? Image source, Getty Images.

What about the EU citizens living in the UK? You may need to pay a percentage towards this treatment, even though you might get it free from the NHS if you were at home. Not necessarily — some state healthcare in the EU has to be paid for by its own citizens, so whilst you would be eligible for similar treatment to locals, you might have to pay for certain treatments even if you have a GHIC. Essentially, if a local citizen receives free medical treatment then you will as well, but if they pay for their treatment, so will you.

According to the government website Gov. You can join the travel conversation on the Rest Less Community forum or leave a comment below. You can read more on how we make money here. View previous comments. Thanks, your comment has been saved. We will review it shortly, check back soon. However, you are advised to apply at least two weeks before you plan to travel to ensure your card arrives on time. In certain countries you may be expected to pay your medical bill and then to claim a refund afterwards.

If this is the case, make sure you retain all receipts and paperwork. You may be asked to pay a percentage towards the cost of treatment, known as patient co-payment. This will give you the same cover as a GHIC until you return home. Travel insurance will also protect you financially against a number of other things that could potentially go wrong while you are away, such as:. Some insurers may give you a discount if you have a GHIC while others may insist you hold one to take cover out.

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