Planning ahead

It's not always easy to get treatment abroad, so you should always make sure you have planned ahead. You should always ensure you have adequate private health insurance.

If you're going to a European Economic Area (EEA) country or Switzerland, you should also make sure you've got a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) as well as private health insurance. The card entitles you to reduced cost, sometimes free, medical treatment in most European countries. The 'EHIC: free or reduced cost treatment' section of the site has more information, including:

where it is valid
what it covers
who is eligible
how to apply.
The EHIC: free or reduced cost treatment Talk to your GP, practice nurse or travel health clinic about immunisations at least two months before travelling. You can also find out more by visiting the NHS immunisation website and the National Travel Health Network and Centre website