A Guide to EHIC/GHIC for European Travellers with Medical Needs

If you rely on medical oxygen, the idea of travelling in Europe might feel complicated. Fortunately, both the EHIC and GHIC cards offer a valuable safety net—but they’re not a magic wand. This guide explains how they work, what they cover for oxygen users, the recent updates you need to know, and how to integrate them into your travel planning. With proper preparation you can travel more confidently and focus less on logistics and more on enjoying your time away.

Introduction

When you’re using medical oxygen and thinking about travelling in Europe, the last thing you want is an unexpected hiccup with healthcare coverage. The good news: if you’re eligible for a EHIC or GHIC card you have access to state-provided healthcare in many European countries (including the UK) on the same terms as locals.
But—and this is important—there are limits, caveats, and details that matter to anyone using medical oxygen.
In this guide we’ll walk you through the rules (including recent updates), highlight what it means for oxygen users, and show you how to plan smart so your travel is safer and more enjoyable. Internal links to relevant OxygenWorldwide pages will help you apply these tips to your oxygen setup.

What are EHIC and GHIC—What’s the difference?

The EHIC is the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and the GHIC is the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). Both give you access to medically necessary state healthcare in certain countries when travelling temporarily.
Here’s the nutshell version:

• If you hold a valid EHIC (issued before the UK left the EU) you can still use it until it expires.
• If you’re eligible for a GHIC (and many UK residents are) you should apply for it because it has largely replaced the EHIC for UK-residents.
• Neither card replaces travel insurance. They cover state-provided healthcare under public systems, not private clinics, repatriation, or many other costs.

Recent update to highlight

In April 2025 the UK guidance for applying for healthcare cover in the EEA was updated (form process, who should use the form, etc).
Also, roughly two million UK EHIC/GHIC cards are set to expire in 2025, potentially creating gaps in coverage if not renewed.
If you’re using oxygen services abroad, this is a detail you cannot ignore.

Where they work—and where they don’t

If you’re travelling with medical oxygen, knowing where your card works is critical.

• The EHIC/GHIC covers state-provided healthcare in the 27 EU countries plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland in many cases.
• Example: In the UK government’s foreign travel advice for Spain, it explicitly states “A GHIC or EHIC is not an alternative to travel insurance”.
• Be aware: Coverage is for medically necessary treatment under the host country’s public system; it does not guarantee everything for someone using oxygen (e.g., private oxygen equipment hire, repatriation).
• If you’re resident in the destination country (for example living in Portugal long-term) you may not be eligible to use a UK-issued EHIC/GHIC.

What it means for travellers using medical oxygen

If you’re using oxygen (cylinders, liquid, or portable concentrator) here’s why this matters—and what to watch.

Why it matters

• Oxygen users may have higher needs for medical care while abroad, so the fallback of state-provided care is an extra layer of security.
• In case of unexpected hospital admission or exacerbation of breathing issues, your EHIC/GHIC can cover state treatment costs under the local system.

What to watch

• Your oxygen supply, equipment hire, and any “non-standard” medical services may not be covered by the EHIC/GHIC. So you’ll still need specialist arrangements for oxygen delivery and equipment.
• Always carry your prescription, doctor’s letter, and any documentation of your oxygen setup.
• Use a provider like OxygenWorldwide to arrange oxygen delivery, local supplier coordination, and backup support. (See our Enquiries page)
• Confirm with your travel insurance that oxygen therapy and any medical evacuation are covered. The EHIC/GHIC will not handle those extras.

Step-by-step checklist for oxygen travellers using EHIC/GHIC

Here’s a practical checklist you can follow:

1. Check your card – Does it expire in 2025 or soon? Renew if it does.
2. Bring your oxygen documentation – Prescription, flow rate, equipment details, note from doctor.
3. Confirm your destination eligibility – Is the public healthcare system part of the EHIC/GHIC scheme? Are you eligible as a temporary visitor, not a resident?
4. Arrange oxygen supply ahead of arrival – Use your provider to coordinate local delivery.
5. Purchase comprehensive travel insurance that includes oxygen therapy, equipment failure, and evacuation.
6. On arrival – Carry pointer contact info for your oxygen supplier and local hospital; keep your card with you at all times.
7. If treatment is needed – Present your EHIC/GHIC first, inform your oxygen provider and insurer, and follow local public system protocols.

Latest tips and considerations

• Renewal urgency: With many cards expiring in 2025, renewal should be one of the first items on your travel-preparation list.
• Not a stand-alone cover: Re-emphasising—card does not cover repatriation, private clinics or evacuation. If you require oxygen therapy abroad, these extras are vital.
• Residency caveats: If you move abroad or become resident in another EU country, your EHIC/GHIC usage may change.
• Equipment arrangements: The card covers “state-provided healthcare” but your oxygen setup is typically private logistics—so rely on a specialist like OxygenWorldwide to sort equipment and delivery.
• Language and local systems: You may face language or system differences when presenting the card in a different country; printing a tri-lingual summary of your condition and showing your equipment documents helps.

How OxygenWorldwide helps you integrate EHIC/GHIC into your oxygen travel plan

At OxygenWorldwide we specialise in oxygen travel logistics. Here’s how we help oxygen users work with EHIC/GHIC and travel abroad:

• We review your oxygen-equipment plan and destination and check if your healthcare cover aligns with EHIC/GHIC rules.
• We handle supplier liaison—so you don’t need to manage local oxygen hire, delivery, or storage.
• We provide multilingual support (English, Spanish, French, German, Dutch) so you’re not on your own in another country.
• We manage backups and emergencies (in countries such as Spain, Portugal and parts of France) so you can travel with peace of mind. See our Pourquoi OxygenWorldwide page for full details.
  You might still need private insurance, but with the EHIC/GHIC card as a foundation and our services for oxygen, your trip becomes far smoother.

FAQs

Q1: Can I travel with oxygen in Europe using only an EHIC or GHIC?
A: Unfortunately, no. The card can cover state-provided healthcare if you need treatment, but it doesn’t replace arranging your own oxygen equipment, delivery or insurance.
Q2: My EHIC is expiring this year. What should I do?
A: Apply for a GHIC if eligible (free via NHS) and keep your old EHIC valid until its expiry date. Check NHS website for the latest renewal process.
Q3: Does the EHIC/GHIC cover private oxygen hire or excess oxygen costs abroad?
A: No. The card covers state-provided healthcare, not private equipment hire. That portion remains your responsibility.
Q4: I live long-term abroad in Europe. Can I still use a UK GHIC or EHIC?
A: It depends on whether you’re considered a temporary visitor or a resident. If you’re a long-term resident, you may need local health coverage instead.