Applying for a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
If you fall ill during a visit to another European country, you can still obtain essential medical care in many countries with an EHIC. This stands for European Health Insurance Card. You can apply to your health insurer or the CAK to obtain an EHIC free of charge. This depends on your situation.
Last updated on 23 July 2024
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With the EHIC, you are not insured for:
- planned care (if you choose to have treatment outside the Netherlands);
- care in private clinics outside the Netherlands;
- medical treatment on a cruise ship;
- the return journey home (repatriation).
Where is the EHIC valid?
The EHIC is valid in:
- the Member States of the European Union (EU);
- Iceland;
- Liechtenstein;
- Norway;
- Switzerland;
- United Kingdom.
The EHIC is not valid in your country of residence. The EHIC is only valid outside your country of residence.
How does the EHIC work?
If you receive urgent medical care outside the Netherlands, for example if you break your leg, the foreign healthcare provider will bill your health insurer for the costs. These may be the hospital costs, for example. This means you do not have to pay on the spot as your health insurer will reimburse the costs. This is subject to the conditions of the country where you receive medical care. For example, you may have to pay an excess (part contribution) for your treatment.