Entitlement to healthcare with an EHIC
You can use the EHIC in:
- the Netherlands - for all medical care included in the Dutch basic care package
- other EU/EER-countries, Switzerland and the UK - only necessary medical care (care that cannot wait)
Please note: in your country of residence you use the healthcare card of you local health insurer.
In the Netherlands you are not only insured for necessary medical care, but for all care from the basic insurance. Read more at Can I use an EHIC in the Netherlands?
EU/EEA, Switzerland and United Kingdom
In these countries, you can only use the EHIC for medically necessary care. That's care (doctor's visit or medication) that can't wait until you get home. For example, if you break a leg.
On the website of the European Commission you can read which medical care you will be reimbursed with your EHIC per country. You can also read what you need to do for this.
Is your EHIC not accepted, but wasthe caremedically necessary? Then read how and where you can submit the costs afterwards.
Yes, you can also use the CAK EHIC in the Netherlands. You are insured for all medical care included in the Dutch basic care package, so not only necessary care. You can also travel to the Netherlands especially to undergo a medical treatment.
Tip
Are you in need of temporary longterm care during your stay in the Netherlands? Please contact the Zilveren Kruis, groep Buitenlands recht for the possibilities.
More information
Read more onI want to go to the the Netherlands formedical treatment
On the website of Zilveren Kruis you'll find information on which healthcare is covered and what youneed to do to get a refund.
- Information for retirees and beneficiaries(Zilverenkruis.nl/en)
- Information for family members of cross-border workers(Zilverenkruis.nl/en)
Healthcare in private clinics is generally not refunded. Such care is often not included in a country’s statutory insurance package. For example in Spain. Healthcare in a private clinic is not part of the healthcare insurance package there. In such a case you will receive an invoice that you will have to pay yourself. The same applies to medical care on a cruise ship. Those private healthcare providers (clinics or doctors) will not accept the EHIC as a means of paying for your healthcare.You can submit those coststo us. We willassess whether reimbursem*nt is possible. For more information go to Claiming EHIC related healthcare costs
Personal contribution for healthcare abroad
In many countries you have to pay a personal contribution. You cannot pay this byusing your EHIC.You can submit those coststo us.We willassess whether reimbursem*nt is possible. Please note that you have to submit the invoice which states the total costs, not only the personal contribution.For more information go toClaiming EHIC related healthcare costs
Please note
For medical care in your country of residence, use the insurance card of your health insurance fund. You cannot use your EHIC. Costs incurred in your country of residence have to be submitted to your health insurer in your country of residence. Costs incurred in the Netherlands can be submitted to Zilveren Kruis.
You can submit those costs to us under certain conditions. For more information go to Claiming EHIC related healthcare costs
Are you travelling to another EU country for a medical treatment? Then you can not use your EHIC.You may be entitled to a reimbursem*nt. This depends on your country of residence and the country where you will be treated.
Read more onI want to go abroad for medical treatment
Tip
Are you going to the Netherlands, especially for a medical treatment? In that case the rules are different. Read more onI want to go to the Netherlands for medical treatment