ValTay0607

Now that the UK Govt. in its own "wisdom" has imposed, not only quarantine on returnees from Spain but also advising on non-essential travel to Spain, if I travel to Spain against the advice will my EHIC card be valid should I need to use it. I know travel insurance companies won't cover ANYTHING, unless the insurance was bought BEFORE MARCH '20. Whilst I personally agree with the quarantine for travellers directly from heavily infected areas, ie India, USA, Brazil, etc.the imposition of travel restrictions to places such as Spain, which I'm informed by a friend who went out there a week ago , is dealing with the situation far far better than the UK and people in Spain seem to care more, unlike the Brits in the UK. Absolute chaos in the UK. I am hoping to travel soon so that I can register for residency but do not want to chance problems with medical issues IF they arise.If the EHIC card is not affected by the travel advice then I will take the chance. Any thoughts forum members?

inbarcelona

Your EHIC card will be ok.....

But are you aware that when you register for residency you have to provide proof of full health cover, with no co-payments or exceptions at the Extranjeros office.

The EHIC will not suffice for that.

missile

EHIC may not cover costs for treatment of Covid 19, but in an emergency you will certainly be given treatment.

Some insurers are giving cover and if you are concerned you might like to investigate? For example, see Jet2 website https://travel.jet2insurance.com/covid

inbarcelona

Just to clarify...your EHIC card will be ok for holidays...but not for residency.

And after the end of the year, the EHIC card will be no more....except for people who were pensioners before that date

bobd22

I would imagine surely cost of treatment for covid would be covered given that it would be essential treatment? Also as you say it would be emergency treatment to prevent spread to others. What wouldn't be covered would of course be cost of accommodation to self isolate or any travel back to UK.

snikpoh

Why do you say the EHIC will not work next year - link please

Why do you mention pensioners and not ALL S1 holders?

bobd22

Yes all S1 Holders have retained healthcare rights under the withdrawal agreement not just pensioners. The ehic for others after 31 Dec is probably gone after full Brexit unless seperate arrangements negotiated. Here's info for those of us protected by withdrawal agreement
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-spain#healthcare

Joppa

EHIC for medical cover for short holidays will end on 31st December, unless UK negotiates a new deal with EU (it's one of the items on UK agenda). Those who have S1 will be able to use UK-issued EHIC for holidays and short trips elsewhere in EEA and Switzerland from 2021 (90-in-180 days).

inbarcelona

Sorry....My message wasn´t clear....
If you qualify for the S1 form before the end of the year you will be ok.

The EHIC card won´t be valid anymore as far as we know at this stage.

missile

[QUOTE=bobd22;12891568] You might be right. I really don't know which is why I qualified my comment: EHIC may not cover costs for treatment of Covid 19.

I would suggest OP arranges comprehensive travel insurance.
https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/hea...nsurance-card/ : The EHIC is not an alternative to travel insurance.
https://ehicdirect.org.uk/covid19-and-ehic/ : It won’t cover treatment where the sole purpose of travel was to “shop around"

inbarcelona

https://www.gov.uk/visit-europe-1-january-2021

Says here your EHIC card will be valid intil the end of this year

inbarcelona

Bob.....I thought you had to be a pensioner to get an S1 form.......or am I mistaken.

Notdunroamin

For travellers the EHIC disappears completely on Dec 31st, the clue is in the name EUROPEAN Health Insurance Card so if you take away the EUROPEAN nothing is left.

Use of the term 'pensioner' is slightly misleading, for those resident in Spain and entitled to an S1 (in receipt of a UK State pension or other qualifying exportable benefit) before Dec 31st. their EHICs remain valid for travel to other EU countries.

It's suggested that existing EHICs may need replacing with one in some sort of different format indicating that the holder is a beneficiary of the Withdrawal Agreement and will be dubed EHIC-E

inbarcelona

Does anyone know, if you are a beneficiary of the Withdrawal Agreement..but do not qualify for the state pension until 2024....whether or not you will be entitled to the S1 form in 2024?

The British Embassy in Madrid suggests that you are...but then I have seen somewhere else that you are not.....all a bit of a mess at the moment.

Notdunroamin

Yes you will.

Not quite sure about the EHIC-E though.