Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what healthcare rights are available to UK residents holidaying in European countries after the end of the transition period.

The Trade and Cooperation Agreement with the European Union includes reciprocal healthcare arrangements. These include necessary healthcare provisions under which the United Kingdom Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) is issued. UK-issued European Health Insurance Cards (EHIC) also continue to be valid until their expiry.

Those eligible under the Withdrawal Agreement (WA) are also entitled to a Citizens’ Rights EHIC for use in EU states, the European Economic Area (EEA)/European Free Trade Association (EFTA) states (Liechtenstein, Norway, Iceland) and Switzerland. For those who are not covered by the WA, we have agreed a bilateral reciprocal arrangement with Norway which means UK nationals are covered for necessary healthcare whilst on a temporary stay in Norway. The UK is also seeking to conclude new, comprehensive agreements on social security coordination, including reciprocal healthcare, with the EEA/EFTA States and with Switzerland.

The Government advises that anyone travelling overseas, whether to the EU or elsewhere in the world, should take out comprehensive travel insurance.