2026-10-21
Image: Momiji.Takinogawa / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
In short
- The EHIC covers state healthcare during a temporary stay, not private clinics, repatriation or cancellation.
- Sports, mountain rescue and pre-existing conditions may have separate terms.
- Save the assistance hotline and your policy number offline.
What the EHIC gives you
The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) gives you medically necessary state healthcare in the EU, EEA and Switzerland on the same terms as local insured people. It does not cover private care, repatriation, mountain rescue or trip cancellation. In Hungary, NEAK provides the details on how to get one.
What to check in a private policy
- Medical-cost and repatriation limits and a 24-hour assistance line.
- Sports and activities: skiing, diving, high-altitude hiking – exclusions and surcharges.
- Pre-existing conditions, age limits and cancellation terms (what counts as a valid reason and when you must buy).
- Luggage, delay, liability and excess. With card insurance check whether you had to pay for the trip with the card and what the limit is.
If something goes wrong
112 is the single emergency number across the EU. In serious cases call your insurer’s assistance line first, because covering costs often needs prior approval. Keep every bill and medical certificate.
Checklist
- EHIC valid, private cover bought?
- Sports, conditions and limits checked?
- Hotline and policy number saved offline?
Reviewed: 2026-10-21.
