With the end of the Brexit transition period quickly approaching, many Brits are still waiting to see what exactly life after Brexit will look like beyond 31st December 2020. This applies to British expats living in Spain, and is also a concern for those who are planning a holiday in an EU country such as Spain in 2021, with one of the most common questions regarding the EHIC card in Spain after Brexit.
As many will already be aware, the EHIC is a personalised card that gives the holder the right to receive medical care during their stay in any EU country, as well as in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. But will the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) will still be valid after Brexit?
Can I use my EHIC in Spain after Brexit?
If you are planning on travelling to Spain after 2020, or even if you live in Spain, then the bad news is that the current EHIC will no longer be valid for the majority of UK citizens.
The UK government website clearly states that after 31st December 2020, anyone travelling to an EU country, including Spain, must purchase their own travel insurance with healthcare cover before the trip.
When it comes to travel insurance for Spain, this a form of health coverage that provides protection for any medical emergency that may occur during your trip to Spain. Additionally, if a visa is required, having travel insurance is a mandatory requirement. Upon arrival at a Spanish port of entry, you may be asked to present proof of your health insurance coverage.
It's important to note that your Spanish travel insurance must cover the entire Schengen Area. As Spain is a member of the Schengen zone, the same health insurance requirements apply to travellers as those for the common Schengen Area Travel Insurance. Nevertheless, it is important to consult your individual travel insurance policy for exact details, as coverage may be different.
Will there be exceptions where the EHIC will still be valid after Brexit?
There are a couple of particular cases where the EHIC will remain valid. UK state pensioners who have moved to Spain before the end of 2020 will be able to use the EHIC beyond 2020, after Brexit fully comes into effect. However, if you are included in thi category, you must apply for a new EHIC as your current one won't be valid.
If you a UK S1 holder living in Spain then you can now apply for your new EHIC via the NHS website. Keep in mind that in order to apply for your new European Health Insurance card, you need to have registered your S1 form with the INSS (Spanish social security office). The British Embassy in Spain states that they are aware that many British pensioners living in Spain have not been able to do this because of the coronavirus lockdown measures, as well as a severe lack of appointments. If this applies to you, the British Embassay have stated on their Facebook page that "your EHIC entitlements still continue and you will still be able to apply for your new EHIC once you have managed to register with the INSS, even if that is after 31st December 2020".
In a similar light, the card will also be valid for British students who started a university course in the EU before the end of 2020 and they will be able to use the EHIC until their course finishes.
The final exception applies to 'frontier workers'. These are people who work in one state and live in another, and they will also still be able to use their EHIC for health cover in Spain after the transition period.
Healthcare for expats in Spain after Brexit
If you're a British expat living in Spain and are concerned about healthcare after Brexit, then check out our healthcare guide for Brits in Spain post-Brexit, with information on how you can access the Spanish health service.
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