It comes as something of a shock to many UK holidaymakers that French residents have to pay – normally on the spot – for a visit to their GP or for other medical, clinical, dental or hospital treatment. As a visitor you will be expected to do the same.
The French health service is excellent but organised and run in a completely different way to the British system. French residents pay at the point of delivery but the money is then partly reimbursed by the French health system and most of the remainder by a top-up paid-for private health insurance.
French residents expect to be able to make an appointment to see their GP within 24 hours and wait no longer than a fortnight to see a specialist. On occasions the French patient can often see a specialist in a matter of days. All medication is normally free of charge to French residents.
So if you are unfortunate enough to need to visit a doctor during your holiday then you can take some of the worry away by getting a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for you and your family. Applying for the European Health Insurance Card is free and it is valid for five years.
Taking the card on holiday with you to France will allow you and your family to access French healthcare at a reduced cost or sometimes free of charge. Maternity care, renal dialysis and managing the symptoms of pre-existing or chronic conditions that arise while abroad are all covered by the EHIC.
The EHIC is not an alternative to travel insurance as it does not cover private medical healthcare, nor the cost of things such as mountain rescue in ski resorts, nor repatriation to the UK.
For these reasons and others, it is important to have both an EHIC and a valid private travel insurance policy. Find out how to apply for an EHIC by clicking here.
The French health service is excellent but organised and run in a completely different way to the British system. French residents pay at the point of delivery but the money is then partly reimbursed by the French health system and most of the remainder by a top-up paid-for private health insurance.
French residents expect to be able to make an appointment to see their GP within 24 hours and wait no longer than a fortnight to see a specialist. On occasions the French patient can often see a specialist in a matter of days. All medication is normally free of charge to French residents.
So if you are unfortunate enough to need to visit a doctor during your holiday then you can take some of the worry away by getting a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for you and your family. Applying for the European Health Insurance Card is free and it is valid for five years.
Taking the card on holiday with you to France will allow you and your family to access French healthcare at a reduced cost or sometimes free of charge. Maternity care, renal dialysis and managing the symptoms of pre-existing or chronic conditions that arise while abroad are all covered by the EHIC.
The EHIC is not an alternative to travel insurance as it does not cover private medical healthcare, nor the cost of things such as mountain rescue in ski resorts, nor repatriation to the UK.
For these reasons and others, it is important to have both an EHIC and a valid private travel insurance policy. Find out how to apply for an EHIC by clicking here.
Why you should take a
health card on holiday
health card on holiday