When travelling to a country in the European Union (EU) you should receive inpatient treatment in a public hospital. You must therefore obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) prior to travel by completing an application form via www.ehic.ie/. This allows European citizens to benefit from the health agreements between countries in the EU. If you are admitted to a public hospital, you should present your EHIC to the hospital; if you are unable to do so, you must co-operate with the medical assistance department in order to obtain one.
If your EHIC is presented to the treating doctor or hospital when receiving medical treatment within the European Union and Switzerland and the medical costs are reduced, the policy excess applicable under section 6 (Medical and other expenses) will be waived.
However, the EHIC isn’t a substitute for travel insurance. It doesn't cover you for:
- the costs of rescue and repatriation (an air ambulance from Spain back to the Republic of Ireland costs €10,000 or more)
- lost or stolen property such as passports, baggage or precious items
- losses from trip cancellation, curtailment and interruption
- extra travel and accommodation costs due to illness
- any medical treatment needed outside of the EU
Updated