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Reader Question: As a retiree who recently received an S1, can I apply for an Ehic travel health card?

As a retiree with a foreign (EU or UK) state pension and the S1 form, your healthcare in France is covered by the country paying your pension and issuing the S1 form. The same country is

responsible for issuing your travel health card for visits to other parts of the EU or the UK.

These cards all allow carriers access to necessary state healthcare at the same rate as for a citizen or resident of that country. This either makes the care free or much reduced. 

In the case of EU countries, you should apply to these countries for their version of the European health insurance card (Ehic).

UK state pensioners obtain either a new UK Ehic, or the UK’s new alternative card called a ‘Ghic’, depending on their residency status. 

Residents of France who do not have S1s (eg. workers) instead apply for France’s version of the Ehic, a carte européene d’assurance maladie (Ceam). 

People who have been living in France prior to January 1, 2021, and who have a registered S1 form, are eligible for a new UK Ehic. This is because they come in scope of the EU-UK withdrawal

agreement and the card reflects their rights under this agreement

Those who moved to France after January1, 2021, who have a registered S1 form, are eligible for a Ghic

Note that those who moved to France prior to January 2021 can still receive an Ehic, even if not receiving their S1 until recently, as these rights are covered by the Withdrawal Agreement

between the UK and the EU. 

Britons coming more recently and not covered by the WA should apply for a Ghic.

The main difference between the British cards is which countries you are covered in. 

An Ehic covers holders in all EU countries as well as EEA states (Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein), and Switzerland. 

A Ghic formerly did not cover Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein (EEA, but not EU), but the UK has now made agreements with these countries. With regard to Switzerland, the UK government

states that Ghics are valid there for UK/EU/Swiss citizens.

The UK has also sought to extend agreements to other areas, which now include Montenegro, Australia, Jersey, Guernsey, the Isle of Man, St Helena, Tristan and Ascension.