What is the European Health Insurance Card and how do I apply for it?
Access to healthcare with the European health insurance card
There are many reasons for moving around European territory: the tourist attractiveness of the countries, their university facilities and international exchange programs to study abroad, the thirst to discover a new culture, to learn another language , a taste for adventure, a temporary job… For example, almost 50,000 students were able to benefit from the Erasmus program in 2017, a figure that continues to increase every year, as does intra-European tourism.
This exceptional period that we are going through with COVID-19 and subsequently the decision to take containment measures, unfortunately reminds us of how essential it is to insure in the event of unforeseen circumstances, illness or accident when traveling to France. foreigner.
In June 2004, the European Union implemented the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) in order to simplify administrative procedures and ensure the coverage of medical care in Europe. The card provides access to health care during a stay abroad in a European country for all persons affiliated to a social security system in an EU country.
What is the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)?
Since January 1, 2016, anyone who works or resides in France on a stable and regular basis has the right to have their health costs covered by Social Security. Depending on the scheme to which the person is affiliated (general scheme, social scheme for the self-employed, agricultural social mutuality, special schemes, etc.), the reimbursement methods may be different.
The Vitale card certifies your affiliation and your rights to health insurance. It contains all the administrative information necessary to support the rights of the insured. From the age of 16, each person receives their personal Vitale card on which their photo appears. Note that it is also possible to request it for children over 12 years old.
In the event of temporary stays (travel, business trips, linguistic, cultural stays, etc.) in Europe, the European health insurance card takes over from the Vitale card to cover expenses and their reimbursement. Unlike the Carte Vitale, each member of a family must have one, including children.
This coordination agreement for access to the public health system applies to the 27 member countries of the European Union: Germany, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Croatia, Denmark, Spain, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary , Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovak Republic, Czech Republic, Romania, United Kingdom (at least until December 31, 2020, during the transition period) and the Sweden. It extends to the 4 member states of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) which are Norway (except for the Svalbard archipelago), Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland.
For nationals of a third country, that is to say not belonging to the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland, the EHIC cannot be used during temporary trips to Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein or Switzerland.
The validity period of the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) in France is 2 years. The deadlines vary according to the Country. If the duration does not cover your entire stay, it will be useful to anticipate the renewal of the European health insurance card two months before the expiration date (notified on the back of the card) on your Ameli account, section "my steps".
It is important to note that in the event of a prolonged stay abroad you risk losing your rights to French social security. The period of validity of your EHIC, like that of your children, cannot exceed the duration of your rights to health insurance.
A lost, stolen European insurance card what to do? Thanks to the Ameli account, you can report the loss or theft online and the new EHIC will be automatically ordered and renewed. You can also make your declaration by telephone by dialing +33 184 90 36 46 from abroad.
What is the European health insurance card used for?
How does Social Security work abroad? What does the European Health Insurance Card actually cover? Do the procedures for reimbursement of expenses take place under the same conditions for all member countries?
Here are the answers to these questions:
Thanks to the EHIC, access to the public health system will be guaranteed in the country in which you are staying. Unexpected or emergency care will be covered.
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