EHIC query ...

[MacManiac]

My wife will be travelling back and forth to the UK in the coming months and we realised her EHIC was out of date. We had heard that you could apply at the Citizens’ Office and that Nicosia aimed to send them within four weeks. So today off we went and were told that Cyprus no longer provide EHICs. It was not clear whether this was for EU citizens or just Britons. We were told to apply to the UK. Is this a consequence of Brexit or just a peculiarity?

[MacManiac]

Thank you for that, Lloyd. Does that mean Cypriots cannot apply for an EHIC in their own country? It all seems very strange as I always believed that EHICs had to be issued from your country of residence.

[ApusApus]

Not as far as I am aware! Cypriots & UK nationals who reside in Cyprus and have a Cypriot Medical Card can apply for a Cyprus issued EHIC using this form https://www.moh.gov.cy/moh/moh.nsf/All/ ... 20EHIC.pdf & it can be processed through one of the Citizen Advice Centres.


Shane

[josef k]

I had a UK EHIC card issued earlier this year from the UK, based on the fact that I had been previously been issued a S1 form (having reached 65) so I could get my CY medical card. My non-EU wife was issued one as well. She was previously issued a SI as well, even though she is under pension age, as she was married to me (who is over) and now appears on my CY medical card.
The instructions say I can use the EHIC card throughout the EU, other than my country of nationality (UK) and country of residence (CY).

Yes Hudswell, Cyprus does claim the cost of all medical care for UK citizens from the UK. It's based on per-occasion charging.

[merchant_banker]

EHIC has a facebook page and you can ask questions there.

[MacManiac]

Not as far as I am aware! Cypriots & UK nationals who reside in Cyprus and have a Cypriot Medical Card can apply for a Cyprus issued EHIC using this form https://www.moh.gov.cy/moh/moh.nsf/All/ ... 20EHIC.pdf & it can be processed through one of the Citizen Advice Centres.


Shane

Yes, I found that online PDF and - as we satisfy the criteria - assumed that Cyprus would issue the EHIC but the Citizens’ Office “They say no”.

[grb]

I had a similar experience earlier this year, just before I was due to travel. The Citizens Service said it had to be issued by the UK. I managed to speak to someone in the UK, and arranged for new cards to be sent here, and was also given a number to ring, should I need to use the service whilst I was away, and before my new cards had arrived here.

[ApusApus]

Yes, I found that online PDF and - as we satisfy the criteria - assumed that Cyprus would issue the EHIC but the Citizens’ Office “They say no”.

Will be interested to see how this pans out as my Cyprus issued EHIC is due for renewal next January!


Shane

[ApusApus]

Guess I'll find out in January as my Cyprus Medical Card is due for renewal then as well!


Shane

[trevnhil]

I didn't think there was a link from the EHIC to a Cyprus Medical card.

[ApusApus]

Have a look at the Instructions on page 2 of the link I provided above!


Shane

[darrow]

So did I..I am confused now..so do I understand this correctly...as a UK expat Resident in Cyprus.. I am entitled to a UK EHIC card? The NHS is a residency based system so I am not entitled to NHS care there....and because I am under UK state retirement age I am not entitled to reciprocal "state" care here....I was always under the impression that as a Cyprus Resident I was not entitled to a EHIC card issued by the UK...all I can imagine is that if you are a UK expat having reached state retirement age you are entitled to reciprocal care in Cyprus, Cyprus claims the cost of that care back from the UK? Therefore it would make sense for the EHIC tro be issued from the UK....if that makes sense. Or are the Cypriot authorities being a bit naughty....and preempting BREXIT...

I have lived here over 9 years, have a Cyprus medical card and mine was issued by the UK. I applied online. I think mine is due for renewal next year. I was told here that I could not apply here and to apply to U.K. I had no problems.

[WHL]

Can answer that Shane, my previous one was issued in Cyprus but now it HAS to be issued from the UK.

Was glad to get mine renewed for 5 years before Brexit comes into effect and messes things up.

Hi HIC, just wondering will your five year card, still be live when the UK exits from Europe.

[Lofos-Jan]

In summary, if you are a UK national below retirement age and are a holder of a Cypriot Medical Card you will be issued with your EHIC card here in Cyprus. If you are a retiree in receipt of a state pension, your country of nationality must issue the EHIC. As Lloyd said, this system came into effect a couple of years back as those for retirees were originally also issued here.

Below retirement age Cypriots along with any other nationalities living here who don't qualify for a medical card are not entitled to an EHIC card and must get medical insurance to travel abroad. It's only because everyone is entitled to free NHS healthcare in the UK that they also get an EHIC card automatically. Many other European citizens don't get them if they don't qualify for the free local health service.

Jeanne

[Lofos-Jan]

That makes sense....the only caveat I would put on that is the EHIC does not replace travel insurance...! Even within the EU...it provides a basic level of care..it does not cover a lot of stuff including repatriation.

Yes, sensible advice.

Jeanne