If you’ve done the sensible thing and organised your EHIC cover before heading off on your European holiday this year, then you’ve also probably done a bit of research into the healthcare system in the country which you’re planning to visit. European healthcare systems vary hugely both in quality and what treatment you can expect to get under the EHIC system. Very few state healthcare systems are completely free as the NHS is here, and most countries have either a compulsory insurance scheme or ask you to pay a contribution when you see the GP or go to hospital. Those differences can make comparing the different healthcare systems difficult, but statistics such as the number of doctors and how much governments spend on healthcare can give a broad indication of which countries perform well.

Netherlands

The Euro Health Consumer Index is the best-known organisation for ranking Europe’s different systems, and for 2014 (the latest year for which figures have been compiled), The Netherlands came top, scoring highly on patient outcomes, information given to patients, range of services provided and waiting times for treatment. The Netherlands operates a system of compulsory insurance, and if you are seeking treatment under EHIC, all emergency treatment will be covered. If you need to see a GP, you need to ensure you see one who is under contract to the main Zilveren Kruis insurance company. You might also be expected to make patient contributions towards certain types of treatment, so establish this up front. The good news is that standards are extremely high, and most Dutch GPs, nurses and pharmacists will speak excellent English.

Switzerland

Even though Switzerland is not part of the EU, you can still make use of your EHIC cover here because it is part of the wider European Economic Area (EEA). Swiss healthcare is a mix of private and state, so it is very important to ensure that doctors know you wish to be treated as a state patient. Switzerland is the best performing country in Europe in terms of waiting times, and patient outcomes are also very high. Swiss people pay towards certain aspects of their healthcare such as a contribution towards prescription medicine, so under EHIC you will too.

Norway

Norway is ranked third in the healthcare league tables, and although only ranked 22nd for waiting times, their work on preventative measures and patient outcomes boosts them way up the list. Norwegian patients also have access to a wide range of different treatments, but healthcare is not free. Under EHIC, you can expect to pay around £17 for a GP appointment, and you won’t be able to claim this back.

And the Worst…

Unsurprisingly, it’s the Eastern European nations which languish at the bottom of the league tables, with Romania, Poland and Lithuania all ranking lowly. Healthcare in these countries can be very patchy, with great hospitals in cities and poor provision in rural areas. EHIC may not be sufficient to get you good healthcare in an emergency in these countries.