HEALTH CARE IN ITALY - EEC
For holiday travellers to Italy or to other EEC countries, do not forget to apply for The EHIC which replaced the E111 form in January 2006. E111 forms are no longer valid. You should ensure that you have a EHIC before you travel. Even if you are just travelling to Europe you must also ensure that you have sufficient travel insurance cover as few EU countries pay the full cost of medical treatment, even under the European Union’s healthcare arrangements. The EHIC is available free of charge through the Department of Health website at: www.dh.gov.uk/travellers or www.ehic.org.uk or by telephoning 0845 606 2030. You can also obtain the EHIC by completing the Department of Health leaflet “Health Advice for Travellers” (HAFT). This is available through most UK Post Offices or by telephoning 08701 555 455. The EHIC is valid in the European Economic Area (see Note 1) and Switzerland. If you or any of your dependants are suddenly taken ill or have an accident during a visit to any of these countries, necessary medical treatment will be provided free or at reduced-cost - in most cases on production of a valid EHIC. Only state-provided treatment is covered, and you will be treated on the same terms as insured nationals of the country you are visiting. Private treatment is generally not covered, and state-provided treatment may not cover all of the things that you would expect to receive free of charge from the NHS. Some eligibility restrictions may apply due to your nationality. For detailed guidance, please check the section “Who is eligible for an EHIC?” in either the HAFT leaflet or on the DH website. Remember an EHIC does not cover you for all the medical costs that you can incur or for repatriation - it is not an alternative to travel insurance. You will still need appropriate insurance to ensure you are fully covered for all eventualities. Note 1: The European Economic Area is made up of all 25 members of the European Union plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.