Authority responsible for the information
Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration
National Social Security Institute
Last update: 25-03-2026
Healthcare during a stay in another EU Member State and the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
Content
Rights and obligations
Rights
As an EU citizen, if you need to receive healthcare during a temporary stay in another EU Member State on holiday or for work or study, you are entitled to receive healthcare which cannot wait until you return to your country.
You have the same healthcare rights as citizens covered by insurance in that country, but you are also bound by the same obligations.
Obligations
In some cases, you will have to meet a fixed amount, or percentage, of the costs of the healthcare. This will be on equal terms to citizens with insurance cover in the Member State to which you have travelled.
These amounts are non-refundable.
The European Health Insurance Card
The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is a personal and non-transferable document. It accredits your right to receive whatever healthcare assistance may prove necessary during a temporary stay in the territory of the European Economic Area or Switzerland, taking account of the nature of the healthcare services and your planned length of stay, in accordance with the laws of the host country. It makes no difference whether the purpose of your visit is tourism, working activity, or study.
Cases in which an EHIC is not valid
- When the purpose of your journey is to receive medical treatment, it is necessary for the National Social Security Institute (INSS) or the Maritime Social Institute (ISM) to issue the appropriate form, subject to a favourable report from the health service; ( you can find out more about this possibility here);
- If you move your place of residence to the territory of another Member State.
How to apply for an EHIC
The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) can be applied for through the Social Security Electronic Office in European Health Insurance Card and Provisional Replacement Certificate.
The card is sent to the applicant’s home address in a period not exceeding five days. Delivery by hand is never possible.
Provisional replacement certificate
If it is not possible to issue an EHIC, or your journey is imminent, you can apply for a Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC) in lieu of an EHIC.
Relevant links
Information for each Autonomous Community
Legal and/or technical references
