Inside

European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)

Launched June 2004, the "Health Card" is for EU residents to use to access medical resources when travelling outside of their EU country of residence.

European citizens who are travelling within the European Economic Area, (i.e. the European Union, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein) and Switzerland, for private or professional reasons are entitled to a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which simplifies the procedure when receiving medical assistance during their stay in a member state.

The EHIC entitles the holder to the same treatment at the same cost as a national of that country. For example, if medical care is provided free of charge in the member state where treatment is required, the claimant will be entitled to free medical care on presentation of the card or an equivalent document.

Presentation of the EHIC guarantees reimbursement of the medical costs on the spot, or soon after returning home.

In the event of treatment being required present the card at the earliest opportunity. The card is only valid for state provided services, not private hospitals or treatments.

Comprehensive, general information from the EU in English: Click here

Note: Third-country nationals (from outside the EU/EEA) resident in the EU and holding an EHIC cannot use their EHIC in Norway, Liechtenstein or Switzerland. In Iceland, non EU/EEA nationals are only covered for emergency treatment. Holders of an EHIC in Denmark will only be eligible for free treatment in a public hospital in the event of:

a sudden illness
an unexpected aggravation of a chronic condition
an emergency
childbirth

The Card

The only personal information on the EHIC is the card holder's surname and first name, personal identification number and date of birth. The European health insurance card does not contain medical data. The card contains the same information in all countries where it is issued.

The duration of validity of the card varies from country to country - find out about this when making an application.

End of the E forms

The European Health Insurance Card replaces forms:

E111 and E111B used by tourists
E110 used by international road transporters
E128 used by students and people working in a Member State other than their own
E119 used by people registered as unemployed and seeking work in another Member State

Note: The forms E111 (and others) have not been valid since 31 December 2005.

The EHIC in Luxembourg

The European Health Insurance Card (Carte Européenne d'Assurance Maladie) allows all legal residents of Luxembourg to benefit from emergency medical treatment and care when temporarily abroad.

Note: this is not independent travel insurance.

Applying for an EHIC in Luxembourg

Anyone covered by the Luxembourg social security system is entitled to a CEAM/EHIC

The card is issued free of charge by the Luxembourg Social Security offices (Securité Sociale - Grand Duché de Luxembourg).

It is a plastic, non-electronic card
Each member of a family must have their own card, including children under sixteen
This card cannot be used in Luxembourg (unless the card is issued in another member state) and is not a method of payment

Claiming in Luxembourg with a card issued elsewhere

A card cannot be used within Luxembourg unless it has been issued elsewhere in the EU.

Doctors and dentists: To benefit from treatment it will be necessary to contact any general practitioner, specialist or dentist and present a valid EHIC. Fees are generally paid to the practitioner by the patient who will be reimbursed a percentage of the doctor's tariffs. Reimbursements are requested at one of the offices of the Caisse de maladie des Ouvriers, a list of these offices can be found here.

Note, a referral from a GP is not required to see a dentist or specialist doctor.

Prescriptions: Medication must be obtained from a pharmacy with a doctor's prescription. Reimbursement is dependent on the category of medicine and can be obtained from one of the offices of the Caisse de maladie des Ouvriers on presentation of the receipt, the doctor's prescription, the EHIC and proof of identity.

Hospital treatment: Hospital care is paid for by the person's sickness insurance scheme. Doctor's fees are paid separately by the patient. A daily fee must be paid by patients over 18 up to a maximum of 30 days per year.

Certain treatments such as dialysis and oxygen must be requested at one of the hospitals before arrival in Luxembourg.

For a list of hospitals: Click here (PDF)

Further Information

From the European Union website: Europa
For the Europa database of national information and contacts: Click here
See AngloINFO INFOrmation page on The E112 Form: Medical Treatment in Other EU Countries
Travelling in the EEA and Switzerland from the UK Department of Health
A country by country guide from the UK Department of Health