The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is a personal and non-transferable document that is free of charge, and which certifies the holder's entitlement to receive any medically necessary health care benefits during a temporary stay in the territory of the European Economic Area, United Kingdom or Switzerland, taking into account the type of the benefits and the duration of the stay, in accordance with the legislation of the relevant country, regardless of whether the purpose of the stay is a holiday, a professional activity or for studying.

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is not valid when the purpose of the trip is to receive medical treatment, in which case it is necessary for the National Social Security Institute (INSS), or the Social Marine Institute (ISM), to issue the corresponding form after receiving a favourable report from the Health Service.  Neither will the document be valid if  you change your residence  to the territory of a different member State.

In certain cases, you will have to pay a fixed amount or percentage of healthcare expenses, in line with the conditions applicable to residents in the State to which you are travelling. These amounts are not reimbursable.

For more information please visit: https://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=1021&langId=es