E111 Card – European Health Insurance Card
The E111 Card has been replaced by the European Health Insurance Card (or EHIC). The EHIC allows anyone who is insured by or covered by a statutory social security scheme of the European Economic Area (EEA) countries and Switzerland to receive state-provided medical treatment within the country they are visiting free or at a reduced cost, if that treatment becomes necessary during their visit.
The EHIC is the replacement for the E111 Card which became invalid as of 1 January 2006.
Applying for the EHIC (in the UK)
You can apply for the EHIC at your local Post Office® – You can collect an application form and post it yourself or (for a £2 charge) you can use the Post Office® Check & Send service, where they will check the application form and post the form off for you. The application process time is usually within 21 days.
You can also by Telephone (automated application line) on 0845 606 2030. The application is usually processed within 10 days. There will be no charge for making your application in this way (apart from the local call rate).
The quickest way to receive your EHIC (previously the E111 Card), free of charge, is to apply on this website by clicking on the www.ehic.org.uk. There will be no charge for making your application in this way and you should receive your card(s) within 7 working days.
When making your application ensure you have the following to hand
Your NHS or National Insurance Number and the Surname/Family Name, Forenames and Date of Birth of each applicant.
If you are a non-EEA national you can only apply for your EHIC by post as you will be required to provide further documentation that supports your application. For information on applying, including how to obtain an application form, please visit NHS Choices at www.nhs.uk.
European Health Insurance Card – previously the E111
Travel insurance is not difficult to get hold of. Policies are sold in Post Offices, banks, building societies and travel agents. If you are planning on going skiing or taking part in high risk activities like diving or climbing then you are likely to have to pay a higher premium. Check the small print to make sure you would be covered before buying your policy.
For citizens who live within the EEA (European Economic Area) – you are entitled to a degree of free medical care if travelling within the EEA area (also Switzerland), if you have a valid EHIC (European Health Insurance Card). The EHIC replaced the now invalid E111 in January 2006.
The EEA is a free trade zone combining the countries of the European Union (EU) as well as Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein. The EEA was established on 1 January 1994 following an agreement between the member states of the then European Community and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) (which later became the European Union (EU))
If you do not have a valid EHIC you will have to pay for all medical treatment in full, which is expensive. Also, the EHIC does not cover dental charges
Even if you have an EHIC, it is advisable to get some form of other travel insurance. Remember that if you do make a claim to keep hold of all receipts and prescriptions.
The countries listed are all members of the EEA (and Switzerland) and your EHIC (previously E111) is valid includes: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom.
The best way to get hold of your EHIC is to apply for it online at www.ehic.org.uk. You will need a separate card for each member of the family. There is no charge and process is simple. The card will be sent out within a week.
The EHIC is only valid for five years, so remember to check your card before you travel. To find out more about renewals (which again is free and easy to do) head over to http://europeanhealthinsurancecardrenewal.com/ or www.ehic.org.uk.
The European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland
The European Economic Area (EEA) is a free trade zone between countries of the European Union (EU), Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein, and was established on 1 January 1994 following an agreement between the member states of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and the European Community, later the European Union (EU)
The countries listed are all members of the EEA (and Switzerland) and your EHIC (previously E111) is valid in each of these countries.
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
Why You Need Travel Protection and Should Certainly not Go Without It
Why you need travel insurance coverage?
Once preparing a vacation or business vacation, travel protection is usually one of the end issues you believe about, if at all, yet it is among the most crucial points to guarantee your trip is emphasize free.
You cautiously plan the vacation creating sure you get precisely what you desire and the finest deal, but what if points go astray? This is why you need travel protection. You in no way know what may possibly happen. At home you have a pretty great notion how items work, what risks you can consider and the place to get assist when you need it. But once you travel, it is relatively various. Especially if you are touring overseas but also when traveling in your own country. You do not realize what kind of surprising setbacks could impact you and the family while you are away.
Right here is what to defend yourself against if you are to possess a safe, satisfying and emphasize totally free trip.
1. Things do go missing, get lost or taken without consent.
2. One can have a hazard or become ill and necessitate medical attention.
3. Your travel arrangements can get cancelled or modified by the tour company
4. Bad weather can have an effect on your plans. Recent events all over the world, floods, storms, cyclones, earthquakes etc have impacted hundreds of people’s plans leading to additional travel costs, added lodging etc.
5. Travel companies do go out of business.
6. You may incur legal expenditures
7. Things can go wrong back house and you may need to return
8. Medical attention, dentistry remedy etc can cost a lot far more overseas compared to these folks do at home, in particular in the Combined States.
9. You may necessity foreign assist, with vocabulary or legal situations.
10. You may need to tweak your plans for a lot of distinct reasons.
11. The world is unstable with terrorist threats and actions, and countries and regions do get unsafe.
12. Rent equipment such as skis, snowboards, surfboards etc do get broken.
13. Luggage does get burned or get unsuccessful on flights.
14. Family disease etc. can prevent you going on vacation.
15. If you run your own enterprise and cannot achieve, who will run it for you?
16. And ultimately, the point no-one chooses to talk regarding, what takes place if you or member of the family is hurt or also dies?
Your travel insurance coverage should provide you with peace of mind which if everything goes astray, you possess the safety and help your necessity.
How to Survive an Airport Delay
If it looks like the delay is going to be nasty search your smartphone for other flights. Since every other delayed passenger will be calling the airlines, using your smartphone to locate and reserve an alternative flight will prevent being on hold for hours. Check airline website directly, as well as using search sites. The airline websites will often post updates directly on the home page.
When packing for the trip, slip a deck of cards and snacks in the carry-on luggage. It won’t take up much room, and will definitely help pass the time. If the cards are forgotten, play a few games with the kids that don’t require props. A few old favourites are Eye Spy With My Little Eye, 20 Questions, Charades, Who Am I?, The Sentence Game and many others.
If weather isn’t the cause of the delay, but there are a couple of hours to kill, take the kids out for a run. One adult can stay at the gate with a cell phone in case the flight is called. The other adult can take the kids for a jog around the terminal, making sure to have a cell phone on them as well. The kids will have the raw energy run out of them, and maybe they will even have a little nap!
Flight delays are the flea bite on the posterior of every vacation. That is, they are annoying and unpredictable, but can be squashed. Plan ahead, be creative, and definitely be patient. Nothing can be gained by becoming angry, least of all an earlier departure.