European Health Insurance Card

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is a document that grants access to necessary medical care during a temporary stay in any of the 27 European Union Member States, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.

 

The EHIC is a personal and individual card. Each beneficiary—whether the holder or a family member—traveling abroad must have their own card.

 

It is intended for Portuguese nationals residing in Portugal who are covered by a social security scheme, non-active individuals, pensioners and their family members, beneficiaries of public or private health subsystems, and users of the national health service who are not affiliated with Social Security or a health subsystem.

 

Medical care may be free in some countries. In others, fees and/or co-payments may apply, or full payment may be required (with reimbursement afterward), depending on the official health services and contracted health providers of the respective country.

 

If you are an active Social Security beneficiary and wish to request your EHIC, go to a RIAC Shop with your Citizen Card and authentication code, or with the Mobile Digital Key PIN and the associated mobile phone, or your Social Security Identification Number (NISS) and password.

 

For non-active Social Security beneficiaries or those from other subsystems (without contributions, pensions, or allowances, such as children), you must also present a declaration from the Health Center confirming active registration with the National Health Service or Regional Health Service.

 

Foreign citizens who are residents and non-active must present a copy of the Residence Certificate (EU) or a valid Residence Permit (third countries), as well as proof of active registration with the NHS.