New European health insurance card

Proposals for the UK-wide introduction of the new European health insurance card are being published today.

The new health insurance card will replace the current 'E-forms' such as the E111. The cards will allow European citizens to prove their entitlement to free or reduced cost emergency medical treatment when visiting other countries.

A consultation document published today outlines plans to introduce the card to the United Kingdom by December 2005. It is proposed that the card will:

• Replace the existing E-forms but retain the same entitlements
• Hold no electronic or clinical data, but will show name, date of birth and a personal identification number
• Be free of charge and valid for up to five years

People will be able to apply for the new card by telephone, internet, and email.

Health Minister John Hutton said:

"The Government is committed to introducing the new European health card by the end of next year and ensuring that it will be easier to apply for and easier to use."

UK citizens can continue to use E111 forms when they travel to any EU member states until December 2005.