What you need to do it

If you log in, you will be directed to Your Social Security. In the “Healthcare” section, click on “Request a European health insurance card” and indicate the address you want the card sent to.

If you do not log in, you must complete the information requested by the programme and have your current address included in the Social Security database, as it must match your real address. 

Please note

Countries where the EHIC is valid: Germany, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Croatia, Denmark, Slovakia, Slovenia, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, United Kingdom, Czech Republic, Romania, Sweden and Switzerland.

The EHIC is not valid when the purpose of the trip is to receive medical treatment. In this case,the National Social Security Institute (INSS) or the Social Marine Institute (ISM) must issue the corresponding form once they have received a favourable report from the Health Service.

In some cases, you will have to pay a set amount or percentage of the expenses arising from the healthcare, under the same conditions as insured persons in the State you travel to. These sums are not recoverable.

For more information, go to the websitehttp://ec.europa.eu/social.

The EHIC is valid from the date on which it is received until its expiration date. Use of the EHIC during the validity period is dependent on the holder continuing to meet the requirements that resulted in the certificate being issued. Otherwise, expenses incurred may be recovered as undue benefits, in accordance with the provisions of article 76 of Regulation (EC) 883/04.

Some insured persons are unable to obtain the EHIC via this Internet service, such as:

• Persons who draw unemployment benefit and their beneficiaries.
• Insured persons who have the right to receive medical assistance as residents in Spain, or those who are no longer entitled to unemployment benefits.
• Beneficiaries of non-EU nationality with NIE, and
• Persons insured who must submit specific documentation to export their entitlement to healthcare.

In these cases, the applicants should make an appointment in any CAISS  of the INSS, or at the Provincial or Local Offices of the ISM, in the case of persons covered by the Special Regime for Seafarers

Next steps

The EHIC will be sent in a period of no more than 10 days:

• To the address indicated, if you have logged in.
• To the address included in the Social Security database, if you have not logged in.