EHIC Spain extension confusion

[Markd]

Indeed a multitude of bilateral agreements to negotiate - and if we get poorly on the way we can just keep driving

 

[Trotter]

If the UK and Spain do reach an agreement then Insurance would not be necessary for Spain. As for the other EU member states, then that depends on individual agreements - or otherwise - between us and them.

‘Spose in France we could swap a couple of mackerel, for a night in hospital.

 

[Markd]

Not sure who to believe now!
NHS says EHIC is valid for rest of stay if in EU (and other partners?) if already there on 31.12.20

Applying for healthcare cover abroad (GHIC and EHIC)

Find out if you're eligible to apply for a new UK EHIC or UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC).

www.nhs.uk

 

[John H]

Not sure who to believe now!
NHS says EHIC is valid for rest of stay if in EU (and other partners?) if already there on 31.12.20

Applying for healthcare cover abroad (GHIC and EHIC)

Find out if you're eligible to apply for a new UK EHIC or UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC).

www.nhs.uk

The Original Post was in error. The situation is quite clear. If you are in the EU prior to 3st December then EHIC will be honoured for the length of your stay; if you arrive after 31st December then only certain people will be entitled to EHIC cover.

 

[Markd]

That's the point - OP referred to UK government website which is still saying that most places won't take it next year but NHS site says ok if start journey before 31.12.

Academic for me as we're not going either way

Hopefully we'll get absolute clarity and a single message fairly soon.

 

[Markd]

At the risk of repeating myself the UK Gov't website I provided a link to says EHIC is no good next year but the NHS says it is.
I accept that there is a link to a March 2020 UK government that says travel before 31.12
So perhaps 2 out of 3 will do.
As usual government is providing different information depending on where you look

 

[John H]

At the risk of repeating myself the UK Gov't website I provided a link to says EHIC is no good next year but the NHS says it is.
I accept that there is a link to a March 2020 UK government that says travel before 31.12
So perhaps 2 out of 3 will do.
As usual government is providing different information depending on where you look

For goodness sake, why don't you try reading the government website - which says exactly what I said it said. Even the OP has admitted that he made a mistake. There is nothing to be confused about!

This is the latest government advice - it is the link that the OP posted. It has not been changed. There is no government or NHS website that says that EHIC will not be valid if you are here prior to December 31st. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/healthcare-for-uk-nationals-visiting-spain

 

[Markd]

I have acknowledged the the 'early travel' to Spain web page.

However there are two current web pages - one is about travel to the whole of Europe in 2021 and to be fair it does say that at the top and the other tells us that if we travel to Spain before then EHIC is good for the journey.

My point is that both pages are current and that could cause confusion.
It's a pity that the post 21 page doesn't mention early travel as an exceptions or provide a link to it or maybe it doesn't because Spain is the only country that has agreed to it?

Turning to the wider point of travel to the other two dozen EU-EHIC countries - what are the rules about them?

 

[Trotter]

Ah! The joys of the B word. Be careful of what you wish for.

 

[John H]

I have acknowledged the the 'early travel' to Spain web page.

However there are two current web pages - one is about travel to the whole of Europe in 2021 and to be fair it does say that at the top and the other tells us that if we travel to Spain before then EHIC is good for the journey.

My point is that both pages are current and that could cause confusion.
It's a pity that the post 21 page doesn't mention early travel as an exceptions or provide a link to it or maybe it doesn't because Spain is the only country that has agreed to it?

Turning to the wider point of travel to the other two dozen EU-EHIC countries - what are the rules about them?

There is no difference! The "post 21 page" that you refer to is a cut and paste from the SAME government document that says, earlier in the document, that for those arriving before December 31st EHIC will be honoured in full!

This is the full document - please read it before you think about replying https://www.gov.uk/guidance/healthcare-for-uk-nationals-visiting-spain#:~:text=An EHIC covers state healthcare,or at a reduced cost.&text=You may need to pay,do not have an EHIC .

If you think there is a different government website that contradicts this very clear message then please provide a link. Otherwise, I think we can all safely assume that it does not exist.