How to get a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)

How to get a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)

Registration for a European Health Insurance Card for persons ordinarily residing in Malta and entitled under the national Social Security legislation.

The EHIC allows Maltese residents to access necessary medical treatment during temporary stays in European Economic Area (EEA) countries and Switzerland under the same conditions as residents of those countries.

International travel has become more frequent and affordable, but it is important to be aware of potential health risks when travelling abroad. The EHIC helps ensure access to healthcare services while temporarily staying in another Member State.

Follow this information to obtain this service:

Description

Persons issued with a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) will be eligible to free or reduced-cost medically necessary treatment during temporary stays in EEA countries and Switzerland.

The purpose of the EHIC is to facilitate access to healthcare during a temporary stay in another Member State and to support reimbursement of incurred medical costs.

The EHIC covers:

• Emergency medical treatment
• Maternity care (if the purpose of travel is not childbirth)
• Treatment of chronic or pre-existing conditions that become necessary during the stay

The EHIC does NOT cover:

• Planned treatment abroad (including treatment for the purpose of childbirth or second opinions)
• Repatriation costs to Malta
• Full healthcare costs in countries where partial payments apply
• Private healthcare services

Who is eligible for the Service?

• Persons ordinarily residing in Malta and covered by the national Social Security legislation
• EU full-time students residing in Malta for study purposes
• Holders of a valid Maltese Permanent Residence document
• EU citizens in a cross-border situation for whom Malta is the competent institution
• Persons covered under Maltese Social Security contributions

Note: Individuals contributing social security in another EEA country are issued an EHIC by that country.

EHIC for Newborns:

Babies born from June 2024 onwards will receive an EHIC automatically at the age of three (3) months.

Applying for an EHIC

The EHIC is issued free of charge. A separate application is required for each person, except for children under 16.

Applications must be submitted at least fifteen (15) working days before the intended travel date.

You can apply by:

• Applying online using your e-ID (where applicable)
• Downloading the application form, completing it, and sending it by post
• Collecting and submitting the form from the Entitlement Unit or Local Councils

Applications can be submitted to: Entitlement Unit, Ground Floor, Ex-Outpatients Block, St. Luke’s Hospital, G’Mangia Hill, Malta

Renewing an EHIC

EHIC cards are automatically renewed where applicable one (1) month before expiry, based on continued entitlement to public healthcare.

The renewed card will be sent to the registered residential address.

If your EHIC expired before March 2023, you must submit a new application.

If renewal is required due to a name change, a new application must be submitted with the old EHIC attached.

Replacing an EHIC

Lost or stolen EHIC cards are replaced only upon submission of:

• A new application form
• An affidavit or police report

What are the Citizen’s obligations?

Applicants must:

• Provide accurate information and required documentation
• Ensure application forms are correctly completed
• Inform the Entitlement Unit of any change in circumstances, including:
• Change of residence to another Member State
• Death
• Changes in Social Security coverage

The EHIC must be used only when medically necessary during temporary stays abroad.

What will the Department / Unit provide in return?

The Entitlement Unit will process EHIC applications within five (5) working days from receipt of a complete application.

Cards are processed on a first-come, first-served basis and sent by post or made available for collection.

Travelling to other EEA Member States

The EHIC allows access to necessary healthcare during temporary stays in EU Member States, EEA countries, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom (including Gibraltar).

It ensures treatment under the same conditions as residents of the country being visited, although local charges may still apply depending on the national system.

The EHIC is accepted in all EEA countries and Switzerland and is designed to simplify access to emergency healthcare and facilitate reimbursement procedures.

Additional information about treatment coverage

The EHIC covers medically necessary treatment during travel, including emergency care and chronic illness treatment.

Prior arrangements are required for:

• Renal dialysis
• Oxygen therapy

The EHIC does not cover planned medical treatment abroad.

How to use the EHIC

The EHIC must be carried together with a valid passport or ID card.

It must be presented when accessing state healthcare services abroad. Without it, full payment may be required with no guaranteed reimbursement.

Refund process

To request reimbursement:

• Keep all receipts, prescriptions, and medical documents
• Apply for reimbursement in the country of treatment, or
• Submit documentation to the Entitlement Unit upon return

The Unit will liaise with foreign authorities where necessary.

Do I still need private insurance?

The EHIC is not a replacement for private travel insurance.

It does not cover:

• Medical repatriation to Malta
• Private healthcare costs
• Full treatment costs in all countries

Private insurance is strongly recommended.