European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)

This entitles you to reduced cost, or sometimes free, medical treatment in any country in the European Economic Area or in Switzerland. The card can be applied for by phone (0870 606 2030), post using an application form available at the Post Office (EHIC Applications, PO Box 1115, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE99 1SW) or on-line  (www.ehic.org.uk/Internet/home.do) and takes up to 21 days to be issued.