Check validity of insurance cards, Brits urged

British people planning to travel in Europe have been urged to check the validity of their European health insurance cards (EHICs), with the government warning that millions are set to expire over the coming months.

The Department of Health (DoH) revealed that 28 million Britons have an EHIC but three million cards currently in circulation expire between September 2008 and March next year.

Some 1.5 million EHICs will expire by the end of October, meaning that their owners will not be covered for basic medical care.

Recent research by the DoH revealed that many people are unaware of the need to renew their insurance card, with 52 per cent of the respondents to a survey saying they did not know that EHICs had an expiry date.

Paul Siddell, overseas healthcare programme manager at the DoH, said: "Many Brits are putting themselves at unnecessary risk by not checking their EHIC expiry date. If you're travelling in Europe it's vital that you carry an EHIC, as well as comprehensive travel insurance.

"If you find your EHIC is out of date, it is very easy to renew it online or over the phone and it will be delivered within ten days. Card holders can renew up to six months in advance of expiry so we are urging people to check their EHICs now."

The EHIC, which replaced the E111 form three years ago, entitles the holder to reduced-cost or free state-provided healthcare in most European countries, including France, Spain, Italy and Greece.

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