EHIC
An EHIC is a free of charge European Health Insurance Card. You use the EHIC if you become ill during your holiday or temporary stay in another country. The CAK EHIC is valid in the EU (including the Netherlands), Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, United Kingdom and Switzerland, but not in your country of residence.
Applying for an EHIC
Do you work in the Netherlands, but do you live abroad with your family? And are your family members co-insured through the CAK? Then you can apply for an EHIC for your family members via the online application form. You will receive the EHIC by post within 3 weeks.
Please note: You can only apply for an EHIC after the start date of the co-insurance.
Valid until
The EHIC is always valid until the end of the calendar year. The end date is on the card. In October you will automatically receive the EHIC for the following year.
Tip
Your own EHIC is supplied by your Dutch health insurer.
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 was the care medically 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 Health Insurance Law (Zvw) and Long-Term Care Act (Wlz), so not only necessary care. You can also travel to the Netherlands especially to undergo a medical treatment.
Tip
More information
Read more on I want to go to the the Netherlands for medical treatment
On the website of Zilveren Kruis you'll find information on which healthcare is covered and what you need 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 costs to us. We will assess whether reimbursement 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 by using your EHIC. You can submit those costs to us. We will assess whether reimbursement 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 to Claiming EHIC related healthcare costs
Please note
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 reimbursement. This depends on your country of residence and the country where you will be treated.
Read more on I 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 on I want to go to the Netherlands for medical treatment
General information
The card is not an alternative to travel insurance. The EHIC does not cover private healthcare or costs such as repatriation (the journey back home) or lost/stolen property. Furthermore, you cannot use the EHIC if you are travelling to another country for medical treatment. To do so, you must always ask permission from your own health insurance fund first.
On the European Commission website you can search by country where you can use your EHIC. You'll also see what kind of healthcare will be refunded.
Please note
The EHIC is not valid in your country of residence.
Did you lose your EHIC or was it stolen? Please contact us as soon as possible by phone or through the online contact form.