Britons face paying extortionate travel insurance premiums - that will see adventurers risk major injury - if the European Health Insurance Card is axed post-Brexit, experts warn

  • EXCLUSIVE: Without the EHIC, insurance companies are expected to raise fees
  • Experts worry some travellers may find insurance too expensive and go without 
  • Yet, the EHIC may continue being valid if European citizens benefit from it 
  • Switzerland's EHIC access is part of 30 year negotiations; UK want a fast answer
  • The EHIC is at the end of a long list of thing that need sorting in Brexit talks

Britons will face extortionate travel insurance premiums if the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) fails to survive Brexit negotiations, experts warn.

Without the EHIC, which entitles Britons to free healthcare when travelling in the EU, insurance companies are expected to raise their fees, which experts worry may prompt people to go abroad without protection.

Martin Trybus, professor of european law and policy at the University of Birmingham, said: 'Now, such an insurance is often not necessary as UK citizens receive exactly the same treatment as a national of that Member State would.

'Insurance companies have factored that into their fees. 

'Some UK citizens will find that too expensive and take the risk.'

Britons  face extortionate travel insurance if the EHIC fails to survive Brexit negotiations

Britons face extortionate travel insurance if the EHIC fails to survive Brexit negotiations

WHAT IS THE EHIC? 

An EHIC gives its owner access to state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in any of the EU's 27 countries.

It is also valid in Switzerland and the European Economic Area nations of Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.

Benefits include GP visits and hospital stays, but do not extend to travelling abroad specifically for medical treatment.

The EHIC also does not cover emergency airlifts and is therefore not recommended as a replacement to travel insurance.  

Even with the EHIC, users may have to pay a small amount towards their treatment.

This payment may be redeemable once back home. 

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What happens if it goes?

If Britons loose access to EHICs, they will require more extensive travel insurance when in Europe.

Tamara Hervey, professor of EU law at the University of Sheffield, said: 'Without access to the EHIC or equivalent, every time any of us goes to the EU, we will need private health insurance.'

The cost of claims may mean that travel insurance premiums rise.  

Professor Trybus said: 'I think it can be expected that travel insurance would have to be higher if the EHIC would not longer be available for UK citizens.

'Now, such an insurance is often not necessary (except for being transported back to the UK) as UK citizens receive exactly the same treatment as a national of that Member State (say Spain) would. 

'Insurance companies have factored that into their fees. 

'Some UK citizens will find that too expensive and take the risk.'

How likely is it the EHIC will continue? 

Nobody is sure whether the EHIC will continue post-Brexit for Britons, however, some argue it could carry on being valid if other EU states are given some kind of incentive.

Damian Chalmers, professor of EU law at the National University of Singapore and the London School of Economics, said: 'Healthcare when abroad in Europe is not a citizenship right unless you are working or settled there.

'You don't get something for free, the other EU states will likely want something in return for the continuation of the EHIC; likely a welfare benefit, such as free healthcare for EU citizens working in the UK.

'If calculations reveal more EU citizens benefit from the card, then it will likely continue.'

Assuming the EHIC is lost, a different expert claims the UK could negotiate healthcare deals with the EU, but she adds these will unlikely match current arrangements.

Professor Hervey said: 'The EHIC entitles UK nationals to medical treatment when they travel to another EU country, as if they were nationals of that country. Once we leave the EU, we leave that system. 

'It is possible that the UK could negotiate a separate international agreement with the EU, which could include reciprocal healthcare entitlements. 

'But this would not be the same as the current arrangements. 

'We currently have an arrangement with Australia, for instance, but it doesn't cover the same treatment as Australians get, and it's not enforceable in the same way.' 

The confusion comes after Brexit Secretary David Davis said he thought the EHIC would 'probably' disappear for UK citizens while speaking at a Brexit Select Committee session earlier this year.

Yet, Mr Davis has since said that the EHIC's benefits should continue and if agreements cannot be made with the EU, the UK would provide such healthcare 'unilaterally'.

One expert argues the EHIC may carry on  throughout its European market if citizens benefit

One expert argues the EHIC may carry on throughout its European market if citizens benefit

DAVID DAVIS: BRITONS TRAVELLING IN EUROPE WILL CONTINUE TO GET FREE OR CUT-PRICED HEALTHCARE 

Britons travelling abroad will still be able to get free or cut-priced healthcare after Brexit, David Davis claimed last month. 

The Brexit Secretary said the EU-wide scheme of health insurance will continue after the UK leaves the bloc. 

Speaking on BBC's Andrew Marr show, Mr Davis said: 'We are looking to see if we can get a continuation of the EHIC scheme as it now exists.

'Of course, if we can't get one then we will provide one unilaterally, but that is what we are looking to.'

Yet, this contradicts when Mr Davis said he thought the EHIC would 'probably' disappear for UK citizens while speaking at a Brexit Select Committee session earlier this year.

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Will it be similar to Switzerland?

Despite Switzerland not being part of the EU, the EHIC allows European citizens access to state-provided healthcare at a reduced cost there and covers treatment until they return home.

The card also allows Swiss citizens similar healthcare when travelling in the EU.

Professor Trybus said: 'I estimate the Brexit negotiations will be close to Switzerland, which is part of the EHIC.

'But the British Government doesn't want to accept the free movements of persons so the EU may not accept their wish for healthcare.' 

Professor Chalmers added: 'Switzerland has hundreds of agreements with the EU that has taken 30 years. The UK Government want a quicker answer.' 

When will a decision be made? 

While experts are still up in the air about the likely future of the EHIC, some believe a decision is unlikely a priority in Brexit negotiations.

Professor Chalmers said: 'From the EU's perspective, the EHIC is at the end of a list of things that need sorting.

'The EHIC is not a priority in the negotiations when compared to financial services, [the] settled status of EU citizens, budget or market access for professionals, automobiles or pharmaceutical companies.  

'This may make [the EHIC] very easy to agree to or it might mean it gets lost along the way.'