EHIC Updates
 

From Gov.UK

9 November 2020Updated 2 sections: ‘Healthcare if you’re using an S1 form in Spain and ‘Healthcare if you’re studying in Spain’. Students and people with a registered S1 in Spain can now apply for a new UK European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) that will remain valid from 1 January 2021.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/healthca...ediate#history

Re: EHIC Updates
 

Just done ours, it is a simple form and takes a couple of minutes . In the the reply email it said :
"From 1 January 2021, you will continue to access healthcare in your country of residence using your S1 entitlement"
Pete

Re: EHIC Updates
 

Thank you for putting this on here. I too have completed it and received the e-mail.

Rosemary

Re: EHIC Updates
 

Much better than the previous system of ordering by phone to Newcastle. You had to spell out every word using phonetic alphabet for your Spanish address. For initial S1 application, it's still by phone only.

Re: EHIC Updates
 

Thanks for that update and link submitted mine and got confirmation email. Very straightforward.

Re: EHIC Updates
 

We are UK state pensioners and have permanent Spanish residency so OK as far as being under the provisions of the Withdrawal Agreement. In March 2020 we applied for and received new EHIC cards which expire on 12th March 2025. On the reverse it states we can "Check www.gov.uk for more information on using EHIC now the UK has left the EU". You say "Students and people with a registered S1 in Spain can now apply for a new UK European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) that will remain valid from 1 January 2021". Will our cards be valid after December 2020 or do I have to try to get new EHIC cards? Sorry if it appears a silly question but sometimes we have trouble understanding things. Thank you for any info you can give me.

Re: EHIC Updates
 

I really do not know the answer all I would say is if I had a card that said valid until 12/3/2025 I would continue to use it unless the entire system is cancelled which I assume it has not been.

Re: EHIC Updates
 

I applied for a European EHIC when I got my S1 Registered which I received with date until 2024. It appeared identical to my previous EHIC which I had been issued as normal UK Resident. I too was unsure re this latest announcement so I took the belt and braces attitude of better being safe and asking for the new one issued under withdrawal agreement rules than not and finding out later I should have done. Its easy to do following the link and Costs nothing so nothing to lose getting it. It will be interesting to see if it differs in anyway to the one I have.

Re: EHIC Updates
 

Just a point is the wording on the link does state "You need to get a new UK-issued EHIC that’s valid for travel from 1 January 2021" so that to me does seem to imply that the old EHIC issued to S1 holders will not be valid after 1 January?

Re: EHIC Updates
 

Although I have an EHIC which has a date a few years ahead,I applied as it was so very easy on-line.Almost immediately was given a reference number for the new card & confirmed it would be sent to the given address.Excellent service.

Re: EHIC Updates
 

So another UK cock up? And more plastic.....

Re: EHIC Updates
 

As Joppa said,so much better than having to phone Newcastle.I´m sure that like me many people have to listen carefully on any of the Govn.call centres due to differences in accents.I can understand clearly Glaswegian but Brum or Geordie has me concentrating!So I am glad to get my new card this way,will have 2 cards too so can say"take your pick" if asked.

Re: EHIC Updates
 

Old EHIC's need replacing even though they have an expiry date beyond 31 Dec 2020. The new ones have a reference to the withdrawal agreement, apparently. We found this out because we rang UK as the online link came back showing that our S1 had not been ratified between Spain and UK. This was an error as we registered our S1 in 2012. When I managed to get to speak to a human being, I asked the specific question about applying for new EHIC's even though our current ones were in date; the answer was yes, you do need new ones.

Re: EHIC Updates
 

Absolutely correct, plain English and I don't understand how it can be read any differently.

Also with Jan 1st being the pivotal moment for what other reason do the doubters imagine a new EHIC card might be making its debut on that date?

Re: EHIC Updates
 

Has anyone actually received the new EHIC yet?