Festive Travellers Must Get Their Cards

4.53.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 25th Nov 2005

Make sure your medical forms are up to date!

South East residents planning to celebrate the New Year abroad this year are being urged to get their applications in early for the new medical card intended to give them access to 'hassle-free' treatment across Europe.

With record numbers of Britons expected to travel over the Christmas period, Liberal Democrat MEP Sharon Bowles is warning that E111 forms are no longer valid in the European Union after 1 January 2006.

The European Parliament approved plans last year to introduce a credit card style pass that give EU citizens access to all forms of health care when travelling in Europe.

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) replaces the old style E111 forms that only provided travellers access to emergency treatment when on the continent. The new EU rules extend the type of medical treatment that can be given and means that cardholders can go straight to any local doctor if they fall ill without first registering with local authorities.

All UK citizens can apply for the new health card by picking up an EHIC form at their local Post Office, but Sharon Bowles warns that applications are taking up to 21 days to process. She wants holidaymakers to leave plenty of time.

Sharon Bowles has welcomed the introduction of the card and says it will give greater confidence and security to travellers.

She said: "This is a good example of the EU at its best, extending services, getting rid of red tape, and making it easier for travellers to get treatment easily if they fall ill anywhere in Europe."

The scope of treatment has been extended so that all EU citizens will be entitled to 'medically necessary' care as opposed to the previous narrower limitation of emergency care. This is expected to make it easier for chronically ill people, for example those with diabetes or in need or dialysis, to holiday abroad.

ENDS