The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is something that everyone in the EU is entitled to and which provides discounted or free healthcare when travelling overseas in the EU. It is a common misunderstanding that if you travel with an EHIC abroad then you do not need travel insurance. But unfortunately the EHIC is not a comprehensive health insurance ticket, and it certainly doesn’t cover associated costs such as emergency flights home like travel insurance does.

One of the main concerns is that, compared to the UK, many EU nations don’t have such an accessible healthcare system. Many treatments need to be subsidised, which can lead to hefty hospital bills. It is under these circumstances that your travel insurance covers the things that your EHIC won’t.

To use one common example, we have the French health service. If you don't buy travel insurance and really solely on your EHIC, the following problems would occur should you need to seek medical attention:

Prescription subsidy - It is a fact that drugs are getting more expensive and whilst some prescriptions will only be partially subsidised, others will not be subsidised at all. If you had travel insurance in this situation then the full cost of any prescription needed would be returned to you, either instantly or at a later date.

Doctors consultation - Quite a common occurrence, which might include everyday maladies such as stomach upsets. We in the UK are used to being able to see a GP free whenever we want, but in France if you don’t have travel insurance then you will be liable for 30% of the consultation fee. This can become a real burden should you need to call on the doctor out-of-hours, when the price would be quite high.

Hospital fees - Something else not included in EHIC cover is the surcharge that hospitals in France tag onto a patients bill for every day that they are an in-patient. Most medical conditions fortunately do not need the patient to stay for a long time, but some do, as in the case of broken limbs or when the patient must be monitored.

It is a simple fact that travel insurance would have covered all these eventualities. Not to mention all the things covered besides medical bills, and then only in the EU. An EHIC will not pay for another flight should you miss one due to illness, or pay for lost luggage, or cover you for personal accidents whilst overseas. Travel insurance is simply indispensable. The EHIC has its uses but should not be relied on solely.

Spain, Switzerland and Portugal are similar to France in that they would charge a patient who only had an EHIC large amounts for treatment received. It is unfortunately just the way the healthcare system works in places like this. By taking travel insurance with you, all these difficulties can be avoided.