The European health insurance card, introduced in June 2004, provides proof of European citizens' entitlement to health insurance. Today, more than 172 million citizens has the card in their pocket. It is free and facilitates access for European citizens to have medical treatment when travelling in another Member State, whether for a weekend trip, holidays, education, a training course or for business purposes. Although individual Member States are responsible for the distribution of the EHIC and issue it in their national language, the card shares a common design. So it is easily recognisable for medical staff, even if they do not speak the same language.
08/07/2008 | REF : I-057449 | 03:35