Welsh holidaymakers urged to check GHIC card before travelling to avoid hefty bills
As the five-year anniversary of the UK’s Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) approaches, leading travel insurance provider Staysure is urging Welsh holidaymakers to check their cards are still valid — with many due to expire this year.
The GHIC, which replaced the EHIC in 2020 after Brexit, gives British travellers access to free or discounted state healthcare in the European Economic Area (EEA) and some countries beyond Europe, including Montenegro, Australia, and the Channel Islands. The card is free, lasts up to five years, and each family member needs their own to benefit from reduced medical costs in state-run hospitals, GPs, and emergency care.
But while the GHIC offers some protection, it’s not a replacement for travel insurance — and relying solely on it could leave you out of pocket. To help travellers avoid costly mistakes, an expert at Staysure has highlighted five key areas where the GHIC falls short:
- No cover for repatriation costs
If you need to be flown back to the UK due to illness or injury, the GHIC won’t cover the cost. Repatriation often requires a private flight with medical staff, which can be eye-wateringly expensive. Staysure data shows* an air ambulance from Spain costs around £53,393, while repatriation from India can exceed £177,929 — a huge financial hit if you’re uninsured.
- No protection for mountain rescue or serious ski injuries
If you’re skiing or snowboarding, the GHIC won’t cover mountain rescue or helicopter evacuation. It also won’t cover private healthcare, as it only grants access to state-run facilities, which may be limited depending on the location. A hospital stay in Norway can cost up to £1,133 per day** — before you’ve even had treatment. A specialist winter sports insurance policy is essential for this kind of trip.
- Healthcare isn’t always free — and you may need to pay upfront
While some countries like France allow you to reclaim medical costs through the GHIC, others, such as Montenegro, require upfront payments for treatments that would be free on the NHS***. Without travel insurance, you could be left to cover the costs yourself.
- ‘Emergency care’ isn’t guaranteed everywhere
What qualifies as an emergency can vary by country. If local doctors don’t consider your condition urgent, they’re within their rights to refuse GHIC-covered treatment. In these cases, you’d need to pay or rely on your travel insurance.
- No cover for lost luggage, cancellations, or travel delays
The GHIC only covers some medical care — it won’t help if your flight is cancelled, your luggage is lost, or your passport is stolen. Without travel insurance, you could be left footing the bill for replacements and additional travel costs.
Simon McCulloch, Chief Commercial Officer at Staysure, adds:
“While the GHIC is helpful for accessing emergency medical care abroad, it’s not enough on its own. Travel insurance remains essential to cover repatriation, cancellations, lost items, and other unexpected issues. For real peace of mind, make sure you’ve got both your GHIC and a comprehensive travel insurance policy before you travel.”
