European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is the free of charge, personal and non-transferable document, which proves the right to receive the health benefits that are necessary, from a medical point of view, during a temporary stay in the territory of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, the United Kingdom, Switzerland or any of the countries belonging to the European Union, taking into account the nature of the benefits and the duration of the planned stay, in accordance with the legislation of the country of stay, regardless of whether the purpose of the stay is tourism, a professional activity or studies.

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