Nearly 1.3million UK Global Health Insurance Cards (GHICs) are set to expire this year – and holidaymakers who haven’t checked theirs in a while could be in for an unwelcome bill should they require emergency healthcare while abroad.
The figures, obtained by Compare the Market from the NHS, have prompted a fresh reminder for travellers to check their card before jetting off.
In total, 1,299,484 UK GHICs will expire in 2026.
These cards are a lifeline for UK residents needing necessary state healthcare abroad – though they are not a substitute for travel insurance.
Indeed, the NHS processed 5,035,075 applications in 2025 alone.
There are currently 23,347,894 GHICs in circulation in the UK and abroad, including 23,324,451 in the UK.
Thousands of UK GHICs are also held by people living overseas. Spain has the highest number, at 11,437, followed by France with 6,247 and Cyprus with 1,272.
The NHS data also reveals how frequently GHICs are being used by travellers to access healthcare abroad.
There were 73,204 instances of GHIC use recorded in 2025, following 111,870 in 2024 and 108,528 in 2023.
Across the three years, Spain recorded 137,263 instances of GHIC use, making it by far the most common destination for use under the scheme. It was followed by Poland, with 59,173 instances recorded, France with 15,497 and Germany with 15,410.
Tim Knighton, travel insurance expert at Compare the Market, said: ‘With nearly 1.3million GHICs due to expire this year, anyone travelling to Europe should check their card well before they set off.
‘It’s an easy thing to overlook, particularly if you haven’t needed to use your GHIC on previous trips.
‘The rise in applications for Provisional Replacement Certificates (PRCs) also highlights that people could find themselves needing access to healthcare unexpectedly while abroad, so checking you have a valid GHIC before travelling is an important part of preparing for your trip.
‘A GHIC can be very useful if you need medically necessary state healthcare while abroad, but it’s important to remember that it isn’t a substitute for travel insurance.
‘There are costs and circumstances that a GHIC may not cover, so having appropriate travel insurance can provide additional protection if something goes wrong.
‘Before travelling, check the expiry date on your GHIC and make sure you understand what healthcare you can access at your destination. It’s also worth arranging travel insurance as soon as you book your trip and comparing policies carefully to make sure the level of medical and other cover suits your needs.’
While GHIC applications fell by 20 per cent between 2023 and 2025, demand for PRCs moved in the opposite direction.
PRC applications rose steadily over the same period, increasing by 31 per cent from 29,475 in 2023 to 38,610 in 2025.
PRCs can provide temporary proof of entitlement to necessary healthcare when someone is unable to present a valid GHIC.
The contrasting trends highlight the continued importance of access to state healthcare while overseas, even as fewer people apply for GHICs.
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