What is the Blue European health insurance card?

The Blue European health insurance card is a document for anyone who travels, works, or lives in any of the 27 member states of the European Union (EU) and EEA countries (Norway, Liechtenstein, Iceland) - Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

The health insurance card ensures you can access medical treatment when traveling outside your home country.

If you need medical treatment while visiting another EU country, the EHIC will make it possible for you only to be charged the same amount that a citizen of that country would pay for the same treatment. This means that there might be out-of-pocket payments too .

What does it cover?

According to LifeinDenmark , the card covers a range of medical treatments, including:

• Consultations with doctors
• Emergency medical treatment
• Maternity care
• Treatment for pre-existing conditions that need monitoring

The EHIC will cover emergency medical treatment, including ambulance services, but it’s important to note that emergency services vary between countries. In some countries, you may need to call a specific emergency number, while in others, you may need to go directly to the hospital to be treated.

What doesn’t it cover

According to LifeinDenmark , The Blue European health insurance card doesn’t cover:

• Private medical care
• Mountain rescue
• Repatriation to your home country

The EHIC does not cover private healthcare - so if you choose to receive treatment from a private hospital or clinic, you need to pay for it yourself.

Read more about what the Blue European health insurance card does and doesn’t cover at LifeinDenmark

Furthermore, it’s important to remember that the EHIC is not a substitute for travel insurance.

While the EHIC provides access to state-provided healthcare in the EU, it does not cover all medical costs or emergency medical repatriation.

It is therefore recommended that you also take out comprehensive travel insurance to cover any additional costs that the EHIC may not cover.

With Lunar Plus and Unlimited, travel and luggage insurance are included - so you can travel worry-free. Read more here .

How long is the card valid?

The EHIC is valid for up to five years - depending on the country of issue. In Denmark, the EHIC is valid for up to 5 years . Therefore, it’s important to check the expiration date of your EHIC before you travel - and apply for a new one in time.

Who can get the European health insurance card?

If you’re a citizen of an EEA or EU country - from Switzerland or the United Kingdom - you are eligible for the EHIC . Stateless people or family members of EU citizens may also be eligible .

How to apply for the EHIC

Applying for the Blue Health Insurance Card is a straightforward and simple process, and the application can be completed online.

You can order the blue European health insurance card in Denmark at borger.dk. Apply here . You will need a MitID to log in to apply.

The card is issued free of charge and will arrive in your mailbox within a few weeks.

How to use the EHIC

When you receive your EHIC, carry it while traveling in another EU/EEA country. If you need medical treatment during your stay, you’ll need to present the card to the healthcare provider, who will check the validity of your card.

Health insurance in Denmark

If you travel or visit Denmark short-term, a valid blue European Health Insurance Card gives you access to essential doctor and hospital treatment and medicine during your stay. However, if you are a resident of Denmark, you will be covered by the comprehensive social security system in Denmark using your yellow health card.

Get a Danish bank account and NemKonto to receive public benefits

Lunar is a Danish, award-winning digital bank. If you become a user, you can open a free Danish bank account that includes a digital card as well as an easy-to-use banking app.

You can also open your NemKonto with Lunar so you can receive payments from the Danish authorities and welfare system – such as maternity and paternity benefits, as well as child allowance benefits.

With MitID, the sign-up process is easy and 100% digital. And if you’re approved, we can offer you an account within days instead of months.

Last updated August 16, 2023. We’ve collected general information. Please note, that there may be specific circumstances that you need to be aware of.