How long are e111 valid for

The government website says that the GHIC is not an alternative to travel insurance. It advises that you should also buy travel insurance which includes health cover as the GHIC - like the EHIC - does not cover any private medical healthcare such as mountain rescue in ski resorts or being flown back to the UK.

The easiest was to get one is by using the GHIC online application form. You should apply about two weeks before your EHIC expires, as the new card usually arrives within 10 days, according to the government website. UK students who are planning to study in an EU country won't be able to use the online application. They'll have to send their application by post , together with a letter from their UK university, in order to apply for a GHIC that's time limited to the length of their course.

You will also have to apply by post if you are not a British or Irish citizen, and must attach your visa or residence permit. EU nationals as well as citizens of Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland who were living in the UK before the end of , will be able to continue using the NHS for their healthcare while resident here.

An estimated 3. UK state pensioners who were in the EU before the end of , UK students who had started a course in an EU country before then and so-called "frontier workers" people who work in one state and live in another will all also be able to apply for a new UK-issued EHIC card. The same agreement guarantees the rights of UK nationals who were resident in the EU before the end of Read the Money and Pensions Advice Service guidance for buying travel insurance for people with pre-existing medical conditions.

For example, if you need dialysis or oxygen treatment. Speak to your doctor in the UK for advice before you travel. You cannot take some products prescribed for health conditions with you into the EU. These include special food required for medical reasons containing meat or dairy. There are some exemptions.

Read more about taking animal products, food or plants with you into the EU on the Your Europe website. UK prescriptions can be used in Ireland and Spain. You cannot use a UK prescription elsewhere in the EU.

Read more about travelling with controlled medicines. You may need a prescription from a local doctor. Make sure your prescription is from a state-approved doctor in the EU and Switzerland. Read the NHS guide to going abroad for medical treatment.

Updated to reflect the rules on taking food prescribed for medical reasons to EEA countries and Switzerland.

Updated 'Travelling with a health condition' section: added guidance on checking you can get your medicine abroad and changes to getting prescriptions in the EU. Added link to Foreign Office travel insurance guidance in the travel insurance section.

Increased visibility of calls to actions. How much time you need on your passport depends on the country you're visiting. Check the entry requirements for the country you want to travel to. You may need to show paperwork such as your passport or visa. You will not receive a re-fund for this or for private healthcare. You may be able to get a refund if you had to pay because you did not have your EHIC card with you or the healthcare providers charged you by mistake.

Further information is available on the HSE website. This Certificate gives you the same entitlement as the Card, but for a shorter period. You can apply online for this Certificate, in-person or by post to your Local Health Office.

You can only receive a Temporary Replacement Certificate for yourself. You should consider it. Your EHIC just covers medical costs. Travel insurance can cover you for cancellation and lost or stolen luggage and extras like winter sports cover.

Renewing a European Health Insurance Card is also free. If you have changed address or your name, you will need to contact your Local Health Office. You should apply well in advance of the date you plan to travel. Apply to renew your European Health Insurance Card online. Go to the HSE website for more information.

If you have a question about this topic you can contact the Citizens Information Phone Service on 07 Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm.

You can also contact your local Citizens Information Centre or Request a call back from an information officer. What is the European Health Insurance Card?