mike 202 Posted February 27, 2009 Share Posted February 27, 2009 I thought that the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) was valid for life but I have just found out from the Autosleepers Club that it is only valid for 5 years. If you look on the front of the card at item 9 bottom rt hand corner you will see the expiry date. The 24 hr phone number 0845 46 47 on the reverse will get a renewal phone number and you will also need your National Insurance number. Mine expires next year. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Kirby Posted February 28, 2009 Share Posted February 28, 2009 Thanks Mike. Made me check ours! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vernon B Posted February 28, 2009 Share Posted February 28, 2009 Yep that's the situation but fortunately the renewal process is very slick. A search on this forum should reveal a link where you can do it on line - sorry I don't have it to hand now. V Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J9withdogs Posted February 28, 2009 Share Posted February 28, 2009 Here's the link: https://www.ehic.org.uk/Internet/home.do Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ina Posted February 28, 2009 Share Posted February 28, 2009 Ours expired in January 2009 and I went to the website to renew it. Unfortunately you can only apply for your FIRST one on line, renewing has to be done either by phone, or snail-mail via an application form. Of course, if you go to: http://www.saynoto0870.com/ you can find out the landline number and thus avoid paying excessive charges for a so-called "local rate call". Ina. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J9withdogs Posted February 28, 2009 Share Posted February 28, 2009 Are you sure? I went to the above link and it allows you to enter your EHIC pin number for renewals if you click on the 'Apply Now' link. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ina Posted February 28, 2009 Share Posted February 28, 2009 Conflicting information methinks! If you look at the EHIC website on this link: http://www.ehic.org/apply.html then it clearly says: To renew your EHIC you can either contact the NHSBSA by telephone on 0845 606 2030 or complete an application form which is available from the Post Office®. Yet on the link posted earlier it does seem that you can apply online. haven't followed it through though, to see what happens, as we've already got ours now. When I tried to apply in January, there was also a message displayed saying that you couldn't apply online for a renewal, perhaps a temporary blip, but nevertheless confusing. Ina. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted March 1, 2009 Share Posted March 1, 2009 I can confirm that you can renew an EHIC on-line as I did it a few weeks ago. As Mike warns, an EHIC is valid for 5 years from its renewal date. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watsoa Posted March 1, 2009 Share Posted March 1, 2009 Can definitely be done online - I did mine yesterday.Thanks for the reminder MikeAlan W Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rees Posted March 4, 2009 Share Posted March 4, 2009 The site you need is www.dh.gov.uk/travellers and then click EHIC. There is provision for renewal on this site NOT on the site quoted above earlier, FREE OF CHARGE. You will need to quote you Nat Insurance or National Health number; and there is provsion for spouses and children to be included. I have just renewed my EHIC. Hope this helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J9withdogs Posted March 4, 2009 Share Posted March 4, 2009 There appear to be a lot of (unscrupulous) people charging for EHIC cards. My link to www.ehic.org.uk is the official free site. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rees Posted March 4, 2009 Share Posted March 4, 2009 The site given by J9WITHDOGS is valid and leads to the same screens as does my site! There is no need to pay for the renewal as this comes out of the NHS funds. Thanks J6WITHDOGS for pointing out the validity of your site. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob M Posted March 4, 2009 Share Posted March 4, 2009 Hi, Thanks to mike 202 for starting this thread. Went out to the van to check mine and it had out ran last year 2 days before we left for 3 months abroad. Just renewed online and told will arrive within week. bob M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuwsmith Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 Thanks MikeYour thread prompted me to check mine and sure enough it expired in January. I doubt i would have checked it before setting off for france in September so thanks. I don't really understand why they are only valid for 5 years but I suppose it keeps someone in a job... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hopesy Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 Thanks for that checked ours and it expires Nov 2010 perhaps you could remind me again closer to the time :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roger20 Posted March 5, 2009 Share Posted March 5, 2009 Thanks also to Mike 202 - mine ran out last month and I would not have realised. The benefits of using the forum! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike 202 Posted March 5, 2009 Author Share Posted March 5, 2009 I really appreciate the comments and thanks for the post that I started re EHIC. I have received a lot of help from members of the forum and it is good to know that I have given something back. Regards to all Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob M Posted March 6, 2009 Share Posted March 6, 2009 Hi, If you are a pensioner travelling through Spain also carry proof that you are in receipt of a pension the date of birth on card appears irrelevant. I have never needed to use the card so have no experience of it but have just been reading the www.costa-news.com (Friday 6th) and at the bottom of 1st page under the heading more--- click on' Healthcard ultimation' It starts as below and goes on in detail but you will have to read it yourself as I do not know how to paste. The European Commission has given Spain an ultimatum to grant EU pensioners the right to free medication while on holiday in Spain The - - - - - bob M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia Posted March 6, 2009 Share Posted March 6, 2009 Thanks for that tip Bob - I must read that as unexpectedly I hope to go in June. How do you get proof about the pension if it is paid weekly into the bank? Finally, I was one of the first to have the new health card but mine is valid until January 2011 - just checked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuwsmith Posted March 6, 2009 Share Posted March 6, 2009 Slightly off topic but sort of relevant.My local bobbies are urging everyone with a "photo" licence to check the expiry date. Apparently many people are driving around with expired licences which could presumably cause insurance problems etc in the event of an accident or police check. Like the EHIC card I was aware at the time I had to have a photo type (old style one stolen in Spain!) that it only lasted 10 years but had since forgotten and time sure does fly when you are enjoying yourself.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 Just bringing this old post up as a reminder to all. Just looked at our card and it runs out in a fortnight which is same date as we go to France. Just renewed online at https://www.ehic.org.uk/Internet/home.do Please do not follow any other thread as we were nearly caught out when they said the fee was non refundable???? There is no charge and we nearly gave a lot of information away. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vindiboy Posted April 2, 2011 Share Posted April 2, 2011 I have just renewed mine by phone, no problem, also I was able to renew my wifes as hers had expired the same date as mine,actually we were in Portugal for a month with out a valid card as both cards expired end January, I had a fall in Spain a couple of years ago and dislocated my shoulder, the Hospital was not interested in the E 111, they just took my Passport number. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manwiththepsychoGPS Posted April 2, 2011 Share Posted April 2, 2011 Thanks for the info Mike. Just checked ours and they expired last October. Two trips with an out of date card! Colin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lennyhb Posted April 5, 2011 Share Posted April 5, 2011 Make sure you check both cards, ours were taken out at the same time, mine expired 6 months before the wife's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
passionwagon Posted April 5, 2011 Share Posted April 5, 2011 8-) The photo out of date does not invalidate your licence or insurance. ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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