Rochdale residents travelling warned E111 forms no longer valid from 2006

Date published: 10/11/2005

Rochdale residents planning to celebrate the New Year abroad this year are being urged to get their applications in early for the new medical card intended to give them access to 'hassle-free' treatment across Europe.

With record numbers of Britons expected to travel over the Christmas period, Liberal Democrat MEP Chris Davies is warning that E111 forms are no longer valid in the European Union after 1 January 2006.

The European Parliament approved plans last year to introduce a credit card style pass that give EU citizens access to all forms of health care when travelling in Europe.

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) replaces the old style E111 forms that only provided travellers access to emergency treatment when on the continent.  The new EU rules extend the type of medical treatment that can be given and means that cardholders can go straight to any local doctor if they fall ill without first registering with local authorities.

All UK citizens can apply for the new health card by picking up an EHIC form at their local Post Office, but Chris Davies warns that applications are taking up to 21 days to process.  He wants holidaymakers to leave plenty of time.

The scope of treatment has been extended so that all EU citizens will be entitled to 'medically necessary' care as opposed to the previous narrower limitation of emergency care.  This is expected to make it easier for chronically ill people, for example those with diabetes or in need or dialysis, to holiday abroad.