On June 23rd the UK will go to the polls on the key question about whether the country should remain a member of the EU or leave. You can’t switch on the TV or radio without hearing a politician or celebrity explaining their point of view on the matter, and giving reasons why we would be better or worse off after the vote. It’s a confusing picture and it’s easy to think that a lot of the arguments about the London financial markets or immigration aren’t relevant to our daily lives. If however you are one of the thousands of UK residents who seek medical attention every year in Spain, France, Germany or the rest of the EU using your EHIC cover, the results of the referendum could be very relevant indeed.

What is EHIC?

EHIC – the European Health Insurance Card – is the name of the scheme which allows UK citizens to access state healthcare provision in other EU countries. It replaced the old E111 form in 2006. EHIC has to be applied for online, and is free of charge. Any UK citizen can apply for one, and parents can apply on behalf of their children. The EHIC system means that the holder is treated in the state healthcare system on the same basis as a resident of the country concerned. It doesn’t mean free healthcare throughout Europe, but will mean that the patient won’t run up the huge bills associated with private healthcare.

Difference between EU and EEA

EHIC is generally thought of as an EU card, but also includes countries which are part of the wider European Economic Area (EEA) but aren’t in the EU. This includes Norway, Switzerland and Iceland. The Brexit campaigners’ position is that if the UK votes to leave the EU, it will continue as a member on the EU on the same deal as Norway or Iceland. That would mean that EHIC cover would continue unchanged. There are no guarantees that the EEA would accept the UK as a member automatically, and during any period of negotiation, agreements like EHIC could well be on hold.

Complete Brexit

If the UK does decide to break away from the EU, EEA and other organisations, there is nothing stopping the UK government negotiating reciprocal health deals with individual European countries. There are already agreements of this type in place with some of the former Soviet countries such as Russia and European countries not in the EU such as Serbia and Bosnia. It goes without saying that these agreements are not drafted overnight, and there may be a period of time where travellers have no option but to take out comprehensive medical insurance.

Vote to Remain

Should the UK decide to stay as part of the EU, the system will continue as it operates as present. Full details about what is included in state healthcare in the various EEA countries is available on the NHS website, and this is regularly updated as provision changes over time.