You packed the sunscreen. You packed the sunglasses. Maybe even your travel insurance. And of course, your passport – though some people still forget that too. But there’s one thing even more people forget: the European Health Insurance Card – the most important thing you forgot to pack.
If you live in an EU or EEA country and are travelling in Europe, there’s one thing you shouldn’t leave home without: the little blue card that gives you access to public healthcare on the same terms as locals. It’s free, easy to order, and can turn a painful experience into something far less painful – for both your body and your wallet.
As with many things I write, this all started with an observation. I’m about to go on a trip and was reminded of the HELFO card—as we call it in Norway. I spent a few minutes looking for it before realizing it was pointless. I already knew it had expired a long time ago. And that got me thinking: How many others forget this card? More importantly, how many who remember it forget its expiration date?
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Related: Comparing Nordic Healthcare Systems: Similarities and Differences
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What is the European Health Insurance Card?
The card is a joint initiative between 32 European countries and gives you access to necessary medical care at public hospitals and clinics while visiting another EU/EEA country or Switzerland. You’ll receive the same rights and pay the same fees as residents.
It does not cover planned treatments, private clinics, or medical repatriation, but it works as a kind of health passport across Europe.
And it works. We know. We’ve tested it. Not on purpose – but still.
A foot here, a rib there – real-life experience
I fly paragliders; like many others, I sometimes travel abroad to fly in spectacular landscapes. Even more importantly, we go by train in more stable weather conditions than we often have in Norway. In parts of Europe, you can fly every day, while in Norway, good conditions may be days, weeks, or even months apart. When you fly often, you improve. You become a better pilot.
It’s hard to explain how deeply this sport gets under your skin. But I’ve tried – in the article Why Paragliding Sucks (Why Paragliding Sucks – and Why I Can’t Stop), which I originally wrote for the street magazine Virkelig in Tromso, back in 2006.
Among us paragliding pilots, there’s an unspoken truth we carry with us: When hundreds of pilots fly thousands of trips every year, the “zero-accident vision” is, honestly, just that – a vision. Because even if we strive for precision, it’s still an extreme sport.
On one trip to Greece, a friend broke his foot during a landing. According to him, the hospital treatment was already perfect. But it wasn’t until we went back to the guesthouse and picked up his HELFO card that things shifted. The process became smoother, communication improved, and everyone involved knew the situation: fewer questions, less paperwork, and more treatment. Things moved fast. And the bill? We never saw one.
This little anecdote is a good reminder that the card isn’t just “nice to have.” It makes a real difference in how you’re treated and what you pay.
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Related: Is it Safe to Travel Abroad?
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Who can get it?
Everyone who lives in an EU/EEA country or Switzerland and is covered by their national social security system has the right to receive the European Health Insurance Card. It must be ordered in advance and delivered physically to your address – a photo on your phone isn’t valid.
- In Norway, you apply through no.
- In other countries, use this official EU portal.
The card is usually valid for up to three years, but the expiration date may vary from country to country. Check the expiration date before your next trip.
Remember to bring it with you, just like your bank card.
The European Health Insurance Card – the most important thing you forgot to pack, article continues below image.
What does it cover?
The card gives you access to “medically necessary treatment” while staying in another member state – in other words, care that allows you to continue your journey as planned. You get the same treatment and pay the same copayment as residents.
Some examples:
- Emergency clinic after a fall
- Hospitalization for acute illness
- Treatment for chronic conditions that worsen during travel
It does not cover:
- Planned operations abroad
- Private healthcare
- Medical repatriation
So yes, you still need travel insurance. However, the EHIC is the first card you should show if something happens.
EHIC vs. travel insurance – what’s the difference?
The EHIC gives you access to public healthcare while travelling in Europe. Travel insurance covers your luggage, cancellations, theft, and transport home. One is a health policy, and the other is financial security.
Use your EHIC first, and save your insurance for what it’s designed to cover.
The European Health Insurance Card is small, silent, and free. It won’t remind you when you forget it. But the hospital will. And then it might be too late.
Double-check that it’s in your wallet before you leave. That tiny card might make a huge difference when things don’t go according to plan.
The European Health Insurance Card – the most important thing you forgot to pack, article continues below image.
How does it work in your country?
Norway has a solid healthcare system. Whether you’re a citizen, a temporary resident, or a tourist, you’ll usually get help when you need it, under relatively equal conditions. Many are surprised by how accessible and affordable the system is, even for foreigners.
But that’s far from the norm. In many countries, both inside and outside Europe, accessing healthcare without proper documentation can be complicated. Especially if you’re not a local. In some countries, you’re expected to pay the full amount on the spot. That means everything, from doctor’s visits to X-rays and emergency care. And that adds up quickly.
That’s why the European Health Insurance Card exists. It applies in 32 countries and proves you are entitled to medical care, just like locals. The Nordic countries also have agreements, but the EHIC is still recommended for simplicity and documentation.
Have you ever used your EHIC?
Share your experience in the comments. Was it helpful? Were you met with understanding, or did you run into problems? Whether your card saved the day or discovered it had expired too late, your story might help others remember this small but mighty card the next time they travel.
P.S. Want to know more about how the Norwegian healthcare system works? Check out this Expat Guide to the Norwegian Healthcare System – Daily Scandinavian.
If you’re into practical perspectives, reflections, and playful takes on society, technology, work, psychology, and everything we don’t learn at school, check out my blog, hohoy.no. I write about life choices, leadership, everyday irony, and alternative ways of learning, always with an open mind and hoping that it sparks something in you, too.
Raymond Sebergsen is a self-taught multidisciplinary problem solver with over 30 years of experience in IT, sales, product and service development, and management. His career began in local radio and TV, where he discovered the joy of communicating, creating, and doing things his way. This approach still characterizes his work: curious, practical, and driven to understand and improve. He will share his experiences and essential knowledge with Daily Scandinavian readers.
Feature image (top) © HELFO/Morten Rakke