Do you need travel insurance with a GHIC/EHIC card?

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Do you still need travel insurance if you have a GHIC or EHIC card? If you’re travelling to Europe from the UK, there’s a good chance that you already have a GHIC card (or maybe an older EHIC) tucked away in a drawer. Many families assume that having one of these cards means travel insurance* is optional, or at least less important. It’s a very common question, and one that comes up a lot when trying to keep holiday costs down. So, let’s dive into whether you’ll need travel insurance for your family getaway in Europe, or whether your GHIC/EHIC card will suffice.

What is a GHIC or EHIC card?

A GHIC, which stands for UK Global Health Insurance Card, replaced the EHIC for most UK residents after Brexit – both cards do broadly the same thing – but they’re not a replacement for travel insurance*. The cards allow you to access state-provided healthcare in certain countries, mainly across Europe, on the same basis as a local resident. That might sound reassuring, and it is useful, but it’s also where a lot of confusion starts.

What does a GHIC or EHIC card actually cover?

A GHIC or EHIC card gives access to public healthcare that is medically necessary during your stay. This could include treatment for illness, accidents or managing an existing medical condition that cannot wait until you return home. However, it only applies to state healthcare and it doesn’t guarantee free treatment. In many countries, locals still pay towards appointments, hospital stays or prescriptions – and you would be expected to do the same. In some cases, you may need to pay upfront and claim a partial refund later. Crucially, it doesn’t cover private healthcare, which is often what tourists are directed towards – particularly in resorts or outside of major cities.

What a GHIC or EHIC card does not cover

This is the part that really matters. A GHIC or EHIC card is not a travel insurance* replacement, and it doesn’t cover many of the costs that can turn a holiday problem into a very expensive one. The card wouldn’t cover costs for getting you home if you’re seriously ill or injured. Repatriation, including medical flights or escorts, is one of the biggest potential costs when travelling, even within Europe. It also doesn’t cover mountain rescue, air ambulances or specialist transport.

The GHIC/EHIC cards are also only linked to medical issues – travel insurance* covers you in so many other ways. You’re not covered for cancelled holidays, cutting a trip short, lost or stolen luggage, travel delays or personal liability. If your child gets ill and you need to abandon your holiday early, those accommodation and travel costs would be yours to absorb.

What happens if my child gets sick abroad?

This is one of the biggest concerns for families. If your child becomes unwell while travelling in Europe, a GHIC or EHIC card can help you access public healthcare, but it doesn’t offer any practical support beyond that. Travel insurance* policies usually include an emergency assistance team who can help arrange treatment, liaise with doctors, organise transport and advise on next steps. When you’re in an unfamiliar country, possibly dealing with a language barrier and a poorly child, that support can be invaluable. If specialist treatment or an early return to the UK was needed, those costs would be covered by a comprehensive family travel insurance policy – but they wouldn’t be covered by a GHIC or EHIC card.

What about skiing and activities?

As I mentioned above, a GHIC or EHIC card doesn’t cover mountain rescue, ski patrol or specialist evacuation from slopes. These costs can be extremely high, and they’re one of the most common reasons people face large bills while travelling over the winter months in Europe. If you’re skiing, snowboarding or taking part in adventure activities, travel insurance with the correct add-on is essential, regardless of whether you have a GHIC or EHIC card. Most basic travel insurance plans don’t include these extra higher risk activities so it’s really important to choose your policy based on your itinerary and the type of holiday you’ll be booking. You may need a winter sports travel insurance* policy. Similarly for holidays over the summer months, if you also enjoy water sports, make sure you pick a policy that covers that too – it’s another thing that doesn’t typically come as standard.

What about pregnancy and GHIC/EHIC cards?

A GHIC or EHIC card may cover medically necessary treatment related to pregnancy through the public healthcare system, but it doesn’t cover routine maternity care. It also doesn’t cover the costs of returning home early if you’re advised not to travel or complications arise. Travel insurance often provides additional protection for pregnancy-related complications (subject to gestation limits and policy wording) and it’s important that you have an appropriate travel insurance* policy if you’re travelling whilst pregnant.

What happens if I’m on a cruise in Europe?

Cruises are one of the biggest grey areas when it comes to GHIC or EHIC cards, and this is where many travellers assume that they’re covered when they’re not. A GHIC or EHIC card generally doesn’t cover medical treatment on board a cruise ship. Cruise ship medical centres are considered private healthcare facilities, even when the ship is sailing within Europe or docked at a European port. This means your GHIC or EHIC card wouldn’t apply, and you would usually be expected to pay for treatment upfront.

If you need treatment while the ship is docked, and you’re taken to a public hospital on land, your GHIC or EHIC card may help you to access state healthcare in that country. However, this isn’t guaranteed and it depends on the situation, the port and whether treatment is deemed medically necessary at that time. Cruises also carry additional risks that a GHIC or EHIC card doesn’t cover at all. These include emergency evacuation from the ship, repatriation from a non-UK port, missed ports due to illness, or needing to leave the ship early and arrange flights home. These costs can be very high – particularly when you’re travelling as a family.

This is why cruise-specific travel insurance* is absolutely essential – you’ll need a specific policy to cover that style of holiday. Cruise travel insurance is designed to cover onboard medical treatment, evacuation, itinerary changes and the unique logistics of cruising. In short, if you’re cruising in Europe, a GHIC or EHIC card on its own isn’t enough – it’s still worth carrying them but it should sit alongside a travel insurance policy that explicitly covers cruise travel.

How can I save money on family travel insurance?

Consider an annual multi-trip policy* if your family travels more than once a year, as this is often cheaper than buying separate single-trip policies.
Use a price comparison website such as Confused.com* to compare multiple insurers in one place and quickly see how prices and cover differ.
Only choose cover limits you actually need, particularly for baggage and valuables, rather than automatically opting for the highest levels.
Increase the excess if you could afford to cover a small claim yourself, as this can significantly reduce the premium.
Add extras such as winter sports* or cruise cover* only when required, not as standard.
Declare medical conditions accurately to avoid invalidating cover, but compare prices as premiums can vary widely.
Avoid buying insurance through airline or accommodation checkouts, as these policies are often poor value.

Can you travel with just a GHIC or EHIC card?

You can travel in Europe with just a GHIC/EHIC card but it’s definitely risky. While many trips pass without incident, travel insurance* is designed to protect you from rare but expensive situations – these are exactly the scenarios that a GHIC or EHIC card doesn’t cover. If cost is a concern, use a comparison website* help you to find cover that fits your plans and budget. Don’t forget to organise your travel insurance the moment the trip is booked – you’ll want to be covered for any issues in advance of the trip as well as during the holiday itself.

A GHIC or EHIC card should be seen as a useful backup rather than your main protection. It can help reduce some medical costs, but it leaves significant gaps – particularly around repatriation, private care, cancellation and practical support. A GHIC/EHIC card is worth having, and it should always be packed when travelling in Europe, but it doesn’t replace travel insurance. If it all feels a bit overwhelming, Confused.com* provide a speedy way to compare lots of policies in one go to help you get your cover in place quickly and easily. You can organise your travel insurance* in minutes whilst ensuring you’ve got the best policy for your family at the most affordable price. Happy holidays!

*This article contains affiliate links to Confused.com. This means we might be paid a commission if you click on the link and buy a product through the Confused.com website – but it won’t affect the price you pay.