Is your GHIC card about to expire — and how do you renew it before your next trip abroad?

What does a GHIC actually do for you?

A GHIC entitles you to state-provided healthcare in the European Union at the same cost as a local resident — in many countries, that means free or heavily subsidised treatment if you fall ill or have an accident on holiday. It covers things like a trip to A&E, treatment for a existing condition that flares up, and ongoing care for conditions such as diabetes or kidney dialysis. It does not cover being flown home, private hospitals, or lost luggage — that is what travel insurance is for, and you should always have both.

How do you know if your GHIC is about to expire?

Check the expiry date printed on the front of the card, in the same format as a bank card (MM/YY). If you cannot find the card, or never had one, you can apply from scratch on the NHS website in the same way. It is worth checking now even if your next trip is months away — you are allowed to renew up to nine months before the current card expires, so there is no downside to sorting it early.

How do you renew it without paying a penny?

Go directly to nhs.uk/ghic and apply through the official NHS service. You will need your name, date of birth, address and, ideally, your NHS number (found on prescriptions, letters from your GP, or the NHS App). The genuine application is free and takes around five minutes.

• Only use the official NHS website — search for “GHIC” and look for the nhs.uk domain
• Never enter card payment details on a GHIC application — it should not ask for any
• If a site asks for a fee of £20 or more, it is not the official service — close it and go to nhs.uk instead

Why do copycat websites keep catching people out?

Because “GHIC” and “EHIC” are common search terms, several commercial websites pay to appear near the top of search results and mimic the look of an official government page. They process your genuine application, then charge a processing fee — often £20 to £39 — for a service that costs nothing through the NHS. These sites are not illegal, because they usually disclose the fee somewhere in the small print, but they rely on people not realising a free alternative exists. If you are ever unsure whether a site is official, look for the black “GOV.UK” bar or the blue NHS branding, and check the address bar reads nhs.uk exactly.

How long will renewal actually take this summer?

Once your application is approved, cards are typically posted within 15 working days, but the NHS Business Services Authority has warned that during the busiest months — April to June, running into the summer holiday season — it can take up to six weeks for the card to land on your doormat. If you are travelling in the next month and your GHIC has already expired, do not wait for the new card to arrive: apply as soon as possible, and pack proof of your application alongside comprehensive travel insurance, since insurance is what actually protects you financially if something goes wrong.

What is the difference between a GHIC and the old EHIC?

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) was the pre-Brexit version. Existing EHICs remain valid until their printed expiry date, so you do not need to swap one for a GHIC early — just let it run out naturally, then apply for a GHIC to replace it. Around 927,000 EHICs are also due to expire in 2026, so if you are still carrying one, it is worth a quick check of the date before you book anything.

Does having a GHIC mean you can skip travel insurance?

No — and this is the mistake that costs people the most money. A GHIC only covers state healthcare in the country you are visiting, on the same terms as a local resident. It will not pay for a flight home if you need medical repatriation, private treatment, or care in countries outside the EU, including much of the rest of Europe such as Switzerland (which has separate arrangements) or further afield. If you have a pre-existing medical condition, always declare it fully to your insurer — undeclared conditions are one of the most common reasons travel insurance claims are refused.