Travel Insurance & European Health Insurance Card
The British Embassy has issued a warning that many youngsters are travelling to Spain and risking huge medical bills because they do not have sufficient travel insurance or they have not applied for and are not carrying their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).
They are warning that anybody travelling to Spain or Europe this summer have the proper cover in place, if not it is usually the families that end up picking up the pieces and paying these bills. Research from the Foreign and Commonwealth office shows that one in three 16-24 year olds will set off without insurance and the Embassy are hoping that this warning will urge any travellers to be fully prepared.
Many people mistakenly believe that the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) acts as a full insurance cover, when it actually provides access to the local state medical care within the European union and does not cover repatriation to your own country. One in seven believe that the British government will pick up the bill for any accident or treatment whilst abroad, in reality it is the patient, their family or friends that actually pick up this bill if the individual is not adequately insured.
Treatment for a sprained ankle in a private clinic in Spain can cost as much as 500€ and between 12.000€ – 15.000€ for a scheduled flight, stretcher and medical assistant back home. Serious injuries where a stay in hospital is necessary can result in a bill of thousands covering the costs of the daily tests, treatments and medicines.
The Consular Director for Spain, Will Middleton has warned:
“Over the summer British residents all over Spain open up their homes to young friends and family visiting from the UK. Accidents and emergencies do happen and it is often you the host who ends up having to cover the cost in the first instance if your visitor doesn’t have the adequate insurance”.
If you have friends or family travelling this summer please make sure that they have the correct insurance in place and that they are also carrying their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).
This is also applicable for the thousands of residents in Spain travelling to other countries this summer.
For information on how to apply for your European Health Insurance Card in Spain, contact us now