The 90,000 Euro Mistake: Why So Many Expats Are Gambling with Their Health Abroad
If you live in Spain or elsewhere in Europe and are travelling abroad, there’s a good chance you’ve tucked your EHIC or GHIC card into your wallet and assumed you’re covered should the worst happen. But according to a new survey by Staysure Expat, nearly 15% of English-speaking expats wrongly believe those cards give them full medical cover when travelling to the UK or across Europe.
What do the EHIC and GHIC Cover?
If you live in Spain or elsewhere in Europe and are travelling abroad, there’s a good chance you’ve tucked your EHIC or GHIC card into your wallet and aIn reality, the European and Global Health Insurance Cards offer limited protection.
They cover access to emergency state-provided healthcare, and nothing more. That means no private medical treatment, no repatriation if you need to be flown home, and no extras such as mountain rescue or private ambulance services.
The True Cost of a Medical Emergency
Even expats who return temporarily to the UK can face problems. The NHS may not cover some treatments. Without valid travel insurance, a sudden illness or accident could lead to thousands in medical bills — or leave you stranded overseas without a way home. The financial impact can be devastating. Repatriation alone can bey very costly.
Last year, Staysure Expat paid out over 90,000 Euros on just one repatriation. Also, don’t forget the costs of lost luggage, cancelled flights, or other travel disruptions.
EHIC and GHIC Are No Substitute for Travel Insurance
“It’s worrying how many people assume their EHIC or GHIC will cover everything,” says Simon McCullock, Chief Growth Officer at Staysure.
He explained:
“These cards are useful for accessing emergency state healthcare, but they’re no substitute for travel insurance. Without full cover, you could face both financial and emotional distress if something goes wrong.
We are seeing a growing trend of older travellers with pre-existing conditions travelling further and more often, leading to an increase in the frequency of these distressing stories. It’s important to understand the limitations of a GHIC card.
Proper travel insurance can also provide protection in case of holiday cancellation, lost baggage and other risks to give all-round peace of mind.”
The Hidden Risks for Expats in Spain
Even expats who return temporarily to the UK can face problems. The NHS The issue goes even further for those living in Spain. Many expats don’t realise that when taking out insurance, it’s their responsibility to declare circumstances without prompt — for example, medical conditions when buying travel insurance. In the UK, insurers are required to ask health questions explicitly, but in Spain, that onus shifts to the customer. Failing to disclose a condition could invalidate a claim or severely limit your cover.
“When it comes to travel insurance, living in Spain, the onus is on the customer to be upfront about their health,”
Simon adds. “At Staysure, we offer full medical screening, ensuring that at the point of need we can provide the cover that’s required — so you’ll have the peace of mind that you need.”
Peace of Mind for Expats
Staysure Expat, part of the award-winning Staysure Group with over 20 years of experience providing specialist insurance for British travellers and expats, offers tailored policies designed to meet the unique needs of those living abroad. Whether you’re popping back home for a family visit or exploring new destinations in Europe, comprehensive travel insurance could be the smartest investment you make this year.
Find out more at www.staysure.com/expat
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