How to apply for an EHIC?
To apply for an EHIC, you go to the health insurance institution or social security body in your country of residence. Most countries let you apply online, and many also accept an app, a phone request, post, or an in-person visit. The card is free.
A warning that fits AnchorLess's whole reason for existing: you should never pay a third party for this. The EU explicitly flags that some rogue websites charge a fee to "order" your card. The card costs nothing, so ignore those sites and go straight to your national body.
Below are the two worked examples. The pattern is the same elsewhere in the EU.
Applying in Portugal
In Portugal you apply for the European card through Segurança Social, and the simplest route is online.
Online through Segurança Social Direta
Log in to Segurança Social Direta with your NISS and Chave Móvel Digital or password, open the "Doença" menu, and choose "Obter Cartão Europeu de Seguro de Doença." The card is sent to your registered address within five to seven working days.
If you are travelling within 10 days
If you have to travel before the card arrives, request a Certificado Provisório de Substituição (CPS). It is issued as a PDF you can print, it carries the same rights as the card, and it is valid for three months.
In person or by post
You can also apply at a Segurança Social desk or a Loja or Espaço Cidadão by completing the application form (Modelo GIT 53). The request receipt itself is not accepted by health providers abroad, so apply with time to spare.
Applying in France
In France you request the CEAM, and the recommended route is your online account.
Online through your compte ameli
Log in to your compte ameli, open "Mes démarches," and order the card. It usually arrives in about ten to fifteen days, and the official advice is to request it at least 20 days before departure. If you are late, a provisional replacement certificate (valid three months) is downloadable straight away.
By phone or at a CPAM counter
You can also order it by phone (3646), through the ameli app, or at a CPAM counter. Self-employed workers and people in the agricultural (MSA) or public-service schemes apply through their own fund.
Applying in Spain
In Spain you request the TSE through Seguridad Social, and the card is free. The official services portal is blunt about it: the INSS never charges for the card and does not issue it through outside websites, so use only the official Social Security channels.
Online through the Seguridad Social e-office
Apply through the Seguridad Social Sede Electrónica or the "Tu Seguridad Social" portal, using a digital certificate or Cl@ve, an SMS code sent to a phone registered with Social Security, or a simple form with no electronic ID. The card is posted to your registered address within about five days, and is never handed over in person.
In person at a CAISS, and the provisional certificate
First-time applicants without online credentials go to a CAISS, a Social Security information centre. If the card cannot be issued in time or your trip is imminent, request the Certificado Provisional Sustitutorio (CPS), valid for up to 90 days, which you download and print straight away.
Applying in Italy
In Italy you usually do not apply at all. The TEAM is printed on the back of your Tessera Sanitaria, the national health card, and the Agenzia delle Entrate issues it automatically to everyone enrolled in the public health service (SSN). As it nears expiry, a new card is sent to you.
If you have just enrolled or the card is missing
If you have just registered with the SSN, or the back of your card does not show the TEAM, go to your local ASL, the health district's general-practice desk, with your ID, codice fiscale and regional health card.
New residents register at the district with their codice fiscale, residence permit or Questura receipt, and proof of address. The card is then posted, usually within about 30 days.
If you need it sooner, or it is lost
If you must travel before it arrives, your ASL can issue a provisional substitute certificate that carries the same rights. If the card is lost, stolen or damaged, request a duplicate through the Agenzia delle Entrate website, an Agenzia delle Entrate office, or your ASL.
Applying elsewhere in the EU
In other countries the principle holds: find your national health insurer or social security office, and apply online, in person, or through whatever digital service the country runs. In Germany, Austria, and a few others, you may not need to "apply" at all, because the card is already on the back of your national health card. Wherever you are, request it at least two to three weeks before travelling, and ask for a provisional certificate if your trip is sooner.
EU Countries
| Country of insurance |
What it is called locally |
How to get it |
| Austria |
Europäische Krankenversicherungskarte / EKVK, usually on the back of the e-card |
Usually already printed on the back of the Austrian e-card. If the back shows stars or no EHIC data, contact your Austrian health insurer for entitlement or a provisional certificate. |
| Belgium |
CEAM in French, EZVK in Dutch, EKVK in German |
Request it from your mutualité/mutualiteit/health fund. Some mutualities let you order it online. Belgian sources say the EHIC can be valid for up to two years. |
| Bulgaria |
ЕЗОК, European Health Insurance Card |
Apply through the National Health Insurance Fund/NHIF route. EU/official sources point to NHIF; Bulgaria has also moved toward online applications through the national e-government route, with postal delivery options reported from 2025. |
| Croatia |
EKZO, Europska kartica zdravstvenog osiguranja |
Apply online through the Croatian Health Insurance Fund / HZZO / CHIF portal or at a CHIF regional office. |
| Cyprus |
Ευρωπαϊκή Κάρτα Ασφάλισης Ασθενείας |
Apply at a Citizen Service Centre or Cyprus Post Citizens Centre. Beneficiaries are GeSY/GHS beneficiaries. |
| Czech Republic |
Evropský průkaz zdravotního pojištění |
EHIC is generally issued automatically to Czech insured people as part of the health insurance card. For loss or replacement, contact your public health insurer. |
| Denmark |
Blue European Health Insurance Card, det blå EU-sygesikringskort |
Order it online via borger.dk / Life in Denmark. It is free and usually arrives within 2–3 weeks. |
| Estonia |
Euroopa ravikindlustuskaart |
Order it from the Estonian Health Insurance Fund / Tervisekassa. It is delivered within about 10 days; you need valid Estonian health insurance for at least another three months. |
| Finland |
Eurooppalainen sairaanhoitokortti |
Apply through Kela, usually via OmaKela, by phone, or by form SV193e. |
| France |
CEAM, Carte Européenne d’Assurance Maladie |
Apply through Compte ameli, the Ameli app, by phone, or through the relevant scheme such as MSA. Request it at least 20 days before travel; if urgent, download a provisional replacement certificate. |
| Germany |
Europäische Krankenversicherungskarte / EHIC |
For statutory insurance, the EHIC is normally on the back of the German electronic health insurance card. If not, contact your Krankenkasse. Private insurance is a separate situation and may not issue an EHIC. |
| Greece |
ΕΚΑΑ, Ευρωπαϊκή Κάρτα Ασφάλισης Ασθένειας |
Apply through the Greek public system, typically via gov.gr / e-EFKA. The Greek government service says the card is free and can issue or print a temporary card directly. |
| Hungary |
Európai Egészségbiztosítási Kártya |
Apply through the Hungarian health insurance administration, NEAK/government office route. When using the card in Hungary, providers must be NEAK-contracted. |
| Ireland |
EHIC |
Apply or renew through the HSE online EHIC service, or by post/email using the application form. HSE notes it is for holidays, short stays up to 3 months, and some students under 23 for the academic year. |
| Italy |
TEAM, Tessera Europea di Assicurazione Malattia |
Usually printed on the reverse of the Italian Tessera Sanitaria. If you do not have it or need replacement, deal with the health card / SSN route through the relevant Italian systems. |
| Latvia |
EVAK, Eiropas veselības apdrošināšanas karte |
Apply through Latvia’s National Health Service / NVD. The NVD page provides the EHIC application route and reimbursement information. |
| Lithuania |
Europos sveikatos draudimo kortelė, often ESDK |
Apply through the Territorial Health Insurance Fund / THIF. Lithuania also offers collection and delivery options, including parcel terminals in some cases. |
| Luxembourg |
CEAM / European section of the social security card |
You must be affiliated with Luxembourg social security/health insurance. The social security card has a national side and a European side; replacement or provisional certificate routes go through CNS/CCSS/MyGuichet depending on the case. |
| Malta |
EHIC |
Apply online through servizz.gov.mt, via the MT Health Entitlement mobile app, or by the Entitlement Unit route. Malta recommends applying at least 15 working days before departure. |
| Netherlands |
EHIC; sometimes “European healthcare card” |
Request it from your Dutch health insurer, or from CAK if you are in a CAK-insured cross-border/S1-type situation. In many cases it is on the back of the Dutch insurance card or available digitally through the insurer. |
| Poland |
EKUZ, Europejska Karta Ubezpieczenia Zdrowotnego |
Apply through NFZ, including online routes such as IKP/mojeIKP/ePUAP, or at NFZ offices depending on your case. NFZ stresses that each traveller needs their own card. |
| Portugal |
CESD, Cartão Europeu de Seguro de Doença |
Apply through Segurança Social routes. The Portuguese government says the card is free, usually sent to the holder’s address within around 7 working days, and generally valid for 3 years. |
| Romania |
Cardul European de Asigurări Sociale de Sănătate |
If insured, submit an application to your local health insurance house. EU information says approved cards are issued within 7 working days. |
| Slovakia |
Európsky preukaz zdravotného poistenia |
Get it through your Slovak public health insurer or local branch. Slovak public guidance says each country’s insurer is responsible for production and distribution. |
| Slovenia |
Evropska kartica zdravstvenega zavarovanja, often EKZZ |
Apply through ZZZS, online, at regional offices, or by SMS/mobile route. For urgent travel, request a provisional replacement certificate. |
| Spain |
TSE, Tarjeta Sanitaria Europea |
Apply or renew through Seguridad Social, including the Social Security e-Office or “Tu Seguridad Social.” Spain also offers a provisional certificate, CPS, when card issue is not possible or travel is imminent. Delivery is usually to the registered address. |
| Sweden |
EU-kort, Europeiska sjukförsäkringskortet |
Order through Försäkringskassan online, by phone, or at an office. It is free, valid for three years, and can take up to 10 working days. |
Non-EU Countries but participating countries
| Country |
Local/common term |
How to get it |
| Iceland |
European Health Insurance Card / Evrópska sjúkratryggingakortið |
Apply online through Iceland Health / Sjúkratryggingar Íslands. Delivery can take 10–14 business days. |
| Liechtenstein |
European Health Insurance Card |
Apply through the competent Liechtenstein health insurance institution. The EU country-contact page lists Liechtenstein under non-EU participating countries. |
| Norway |
Europeisk helsetrygdkort |
Apply digitally through Helsenorge with BankID, or call Guidance Helsenorge. Norway has stricter non-EU-national rules than EU Member States. |
| Switzerland |
Carte européenne d’assurance maladie / Europäische Krankenversicherungskarte / Tessera europea di assicurazione malattia |
Usually issued by your Swiss health insurer and often appears on the back of your insurance card. Contact your insurer if you need a separate card or replacement. |
| United Kingdom |
GHIC for most people; UK EHIC for some Withdrawal Agreement cases |
Apply through the NHS. Existing EHICs remain valid until expiry; most UK residents now apply for a UK GHIC. UK GHIC and UK EHIC are free and last up to 5 years. |