180 miljoen Europeanen profiteren deze zomer van Europese Zorgverzekeringskaart (en)

IP/09/1108

Brussels, 9 July 2009

180 million Europeans will benefit from the EU Health Insurance Card this summer

As the summer holiday season gets underway, the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) – now held by 180 million Europeans - is celebrating its fifth birthday. Citizens from 31 European countries can use the card to get the medical care they need if they fall ill or have an accident in one of the participating countries (the EU, Norway, Liechtenstein, Iceland and Switzerland). Around 35% of Europeans now hold an EHIC, which simplifies procedures and cuts red tape for necessary medical treatment during a temporary stay abroad.

"On a summer holiday, we all expect rest and relaxation, but for an unlucky few it can mean accident and emergency," said Commissioner for Employment and Social Affairs Vladimír Špidla. "The European Health Insurance Card brings peace of mind to millions of people travelling in the EU. With the card, they can enjoy their holidays without worrying about expensive treatment or complicated procedures should they fall ill or have an accident in another European country."

The EHIC covers all health care which is needed during a temporary stay in one of the 31 participating countries, be it for travel, work or studies. In case of illness or accident, the card entitles the holder to the same medical treatment - and on the same basis - as a local patient. It is as if they were insured in the country they are visiting. However, the EHIC can only be used in the framework of public health care provision and does not replace supplementary travel insurance.

The card was introduced progressively between June 2004 and December 2005 to replace the previous paper form called the “E111”, and is now held by 180 million citizens, or 35% of Europeans.

However, there are significant differences between countries: in Italy, Austria, the Czech Republic and Switzerland, almost the entire population has an EHIC, while in Bulgaria, Romania, Greece, Poland and Spain, less than 5% has one. This difference can be partly explained by the fact that in some countries, such as Italy, Austria and the Czech Republic, the EHIC has been integrated on the reverse side of the national sickness insurance card.

Although individual Member States are responsible for the distribution of the EHIC and issue it in their national language, the card shares a common design. So it is easily recognisable for medical staff, even if they do not speak the same language.

To further raise awareness of the card, the European Commission is running an information campaign, concentrating on countries where the use of the card is lowest. The campaign includes poster advertising, distribution of leaflets and participation at key events, such as medical and travel fairs. Tools are also available for national authorities to run their own campaigns.

(Column 4) from Eurostat, population statistics

(Column 5) This is the percentage of cards over the population;

(Column 6) This is the percentage of cards issued in 2008 over the total valid at the end of 2008

Further information

EHIC website

http://ehic.europa.eu

EHIC information campaign, including posters

http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?langId=en&catId=698

Video News Release on the EHIC

http://www.tvlink.org/vnr.cfm?vidID=295