More than 1.2 million UK Global Health Insurance Cards (GHICs) are due to expire in 2026, with nearly 800,000 expiring during the peak summer holiday months of July to September, according to Freedom of Information data obtained by travel insurance comparison site PayingTooMuch. The alert raises concerns that large numbers of British travellers could be caught out as the holiday season reaches its peak.
The NHS states that a GHIC allows holders to access necessary state healthcare in the European Economic Area (EEA) and some other countries on the same basis as a local resident. This may be free or require a payment equivalent to what a resident would pay. The card is free and lasts up to five years. The NHS advises applying through its official website and warns against unofficial sites that may charge a fee.
The FOI data highlights a significant rise in expiring cards this summer, with more than 290,000 GHICs due to expire in August alone, coinciding with the busiest period for overseas travel. Hannah Mayfield, founder of What Is Wealth, warns that thousands of travellers could unknowingly head abroad with expired cards. 'If you fall ill or face a medical emergency, discovering too late that your GHIC is no longer valid only adds stress at the worst possible moment,' she said.
Mayfield also notes that the highest GHIC/EHIC claim last year exceeded £340,000, while the second highest topped £226,000. She emphasises that a GHIC is not a replacement for travel insurance, as it does not cover private treatment, flight cancellations, lost bags, or emergency repatriation. Travel insurance is essential to provide protection in areas the GHIC does not cover.
Experts recommend travellers check their GHIC and travel insurance at the same time they book their trip, and renew early if the card expires within six months of travel. The UK GHIC has replaced the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and can be applied for free via the NHS website.
