We would like to remind you that The UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) lets you get necessary state healthcare in the European Economic Area (EEA), and some other countries, on the same basis as a resident of that country.

This may be free or it may require a payment equivalent to that which a local resident would pay.

The UK GHIC has replaced the existing European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). If you have an existing EHIC you can continue to use it until the expiry date on the card. Once it expires, you'll need to apply for a UK GHIC to replace it.

You can apply for a new card up to 9 months before your current card expires.

A UK GHIC (or UK EHIC) does not replace travel and medical insurance or cover services like:

• being flown back to the UK (medical repatriation)

• treatment in a private medical facility

If you need to apply for a GHIC card please see the link below. 

If you hover over the start of the link you’ll see that you need to hold down the ctrl button on your keyboard and click with your mouse button at the same time in order to open the link.

Get healthcare cover for travelling abroad - NHSBSA

For further information or if you are unable to use the link above please copy and past the web address below into your browser.

https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/healthcare-abroad/apply-for-a-free-uk-global-health-insurance-card-ghic

Looking Ahead to late 2025 and 2026:

Entry/Exit System (EES) – Expected from 12 October 2025

(Please note: the implementation date is yet to be confirmed)

Who is affected?
All non-EU passport holders, including UK citizens.

What will happen at the border?
Upon entry to one of the 29 Schengen countries, travellers will be required to:

• Present their passport

• Provide fingerprints and have a photograph taken

• Answer standard border control questions

This new digital system will gradually replace passport stamping. Biometric data will be valid for three years.

For children:

• All children will have a photograph taken

• Children aged 12 and over will also be required to provide fingerprints

Exiting the Schengen Area will involve a simplified check, although procedures may vary by location.
Travellers already in the Schengen Area when the EES is launched will be able to leave without issue.

What to Expect

• A phased six-month rollout, with some variation in traveller experience depending on the point of entry

• Possible queues and delays during initial implementation

• No cost associated with EES

• No change to existing travel rules (90 days in any 180-day period for short stays)

UK Departures: Ferry Ports & LeShuttle

At Dover, Folkestone, and St Pancras, EES checks will be conducted on UK soil.

• All passengers, including coach travellers, will be required to disembark for processing

• Accessible facilities will be available to support all passengers

Other Notes

• Gibraltar will apply EES checks at its external border

• Airport transit passengers will not be affected unless entering the Schengen Area (i.e., going landside)

Looking Ahead: ETIAS (Expected 2026)

• ETIAS is a separate online travel authorisation system, anticipated to launch in late 2026

• It will require an advance application and a fee of approximately €20 per person

• ETIAS is not yet live – please disregard any offers to apply at this time

We will continue to monitor developments and share confirmed updates as they become available. We also recommend keeping an eye on Gov.uk and the Travel Aware website for the most up-to-date guidance from early September.

If you have any questions or require further assistance, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.