Let’s start by saying YOU ALWAYS NEED SPECIALIST TRAVEL INSURANCE, we can’t stress that enough. Alongside buying travel insurance for your trip you can also use the below card…
Since 2004 the blue EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) or E111 card has been essential when travelling in EU countries (including Poland) as a UK national for free or discounted medical care. With the UK having exited the EU at the end of 2020 the EHIC is being replaced by a new card, a GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card).
A GHIC is available FREE (don’t get stung by some dodgy website charging you for filling out a form). They are available to all UK nationals living in the UK and entitle you to the same level of state run hospital care and GP access as local citizens in the EU country you are visiting. Care is either provided for free or if you need to pay, you pay the same rate as locals. Get a GHIC if you are going to be travelling within Europe, they can be extremely useful. Travelling in Poland, you will be able to access free care with this card.
If you have an old EHIC card then it is still valid until it expires as per the date on your card. You do not need to apply for a GHIC until your EHIC card expires. When you do apply for a new GHIC card make sure to use official sites only to apply, you can do this through the NHS website, applying for these cards is free of charge, do not pay! If you’re asked to pay then you’re on the wrong site to apply, this is a common scam online.
Remember, always get travel insurance for your ski trip or any trip for that matter as well!!! Whilst free medical care may be provided when showing a GHIC, you can still end up with a big bill in foreign hospitals, which insurance would cover. You’ve been warned!