Travelling to Europe Without Your GHIC or EHIC? This Is How a PRC Can Save the Day

Having access to medical services is a crucial step when travelling abroad. UK citizens have several options for healthcare cards while visiting foreign countries, especially if they are headed to the Schengen Area.

Usually, Brits rely on their Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) and European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to access medical services during their trips to the zone.

However, if you find yourself without one of these documents, which can happen due to losing or forgetting them back home, a Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC) could come in handy. The document is easy to obtain, ensures access to a wide range of services, and is a reliable solution if medical complications occur.

In this article, SchengenVisaInfo will dive deeper into what this document is, its coverage, how to obtain one, and how the PRC can make your life easier in case of health emergencies while travelling to the Schengen Area.

But First: What Are GHIC & EHIC?
The Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) is a document that allows UK residents to receive medical assistance when travelling to the European Economic Area (EEA) as if they are residents of those countries.

You can also use your card in Montenegro, Australia, Jersey, Guernsey, the Isle of Man, St Helena, Tristan and Ascension Island.

Your GHIC can also be used in Switzerland if you are a British national, a Swiss national from the UK, an EU citizen, a refugee, or a family member of any of these categories.

What Does GHIC Cover?
GHIC covers the necessary healthcare that any country typically offers at their public hospitals and other state-owned medical facilities. These services include the following:

• Emergency medical treatments in cases of accidents or sudden illnesses.
• Medical consultations for necessary healthcare services
• Prescriptions of medications.
• Maternity care and other services related to pregnancy but not giving birth.
• Treatment for existing conditions such as diabetes. 

How to Apply for GHIC? 
If you are a UK resident, you are eligible to apply for GHIC. According to the rules published by the UK’s National Health Service (NHS), you are also allowed to apply for your spouse, civil partner, and children when filing your application. 

To apply for GHIC, you must provide your details, such as full name, address, birthdate and year, and the National Insurance number. 

A health and care number is also required to complete your GHIC application if you are from Northern Ireland. 

Your GHIC is valid for up to five years, and you can apply for a new card up to nine months before your current card expires. 

The application for GHIC can be approved or denied within 24 hours. Once approved, you can receive your new card within 15 working days, which will be sent to you by post. 

What Does EHIC Offer? 
The UK European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is a similar document to the GHIC and offers the same services; all state-provided healthcare can be accessed with this card. 

The card is applicable for medical services in the EEA countries and Switzerland, and it used to have a validity period of up to five years. 

Since the UK left the European Union, known as Brexit, Brits are no longer allowed to apply for EHIC. Only those who have a valid EHIC can continue to use it, and once it expires, they must replace it with a GHIC. 

So, What Is a Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC)? 
The Provisional Replacement Certificate or PRC is a document that Brits can obtain while being abroad, which substitutes the GHIC and EIHC. 

The Certificate can be obtained most commonly in cases when you do not have your GHIC or EIHC, or you are in the process of obtaining any of them. You are allowed to use this service to apply for the PRC for yourself and for someone else. 

However, you are not allowed to apply for a PRC if you have started receiving medical treatment in Iceland, Norway, or Liechtenstein before 2024 and if you live in any of these countries, including here in the European Union countries. 

In terms of services offered, you are able to access all of the medical care that GHIC and EHIC cover, but you are not allowed to apply for PRC in advance. It is possible to apply for PRC even if you do not have an EHIC or GHIC as long as you meet certain criteria. 

The application process is very simple; you can apply for a PRC online via the NHS Overseas Healthcare Services or by phone, contacting the same authority. 

Some of the questions that are most often asked during the application process include the following: 

• Email address. 
• National Insurance number and OHS reference number, if you have one. 
• The name of the medical facility from which you have received or are receiving treatment. 
• The email address of this medical centre. 

If I Have Any of These Insurance Cards, Why Do I Still Need Travel Insurance? 
GHIC, EHIC, and PRC indeed provide coverage for medical services, but they are not a substitute for travel insurance. 

While these documents offer coverage for health treatments, they do not cover any emergency that can occur during your travel. You should pay out of pocket for those expenses, which can be quite expensive. 

UK residents do not need to follow the requirements that typically apply to travellers from other countries to the EU, but travel insurance remains highly recommended. By purchasing travel insurance, you protect your trip to the EU from sudden expenses, including lost luggage and delayed flights. 

Source: https://schengen.news/travelling-to-europe-without-your-ghic-or-ehic-this-is-how-a-prc-can-save-the-day/