Entitlement to healthcare with an EHIC
You will only receive necessary medical care in the country where you are on holiday or staying temporarily. This applies only to countries where the EHIC is valid: EU, Liechtenstein, Norway, Iceland, United Kingdom and Switzerland. You'll get the healthcare according to the rules in that country.
On the website of the European Commission you can read what kind of medical care is refunded in each country. You will also find information on what you need to do to obtain a refund.
The Netherlands
In the Netherlands you are not only entitled to necessary medical care, but also to healthcare that is covered by Dutch basis health insurance.
Yes, you can also use the CAK EHIC in the Netherlands. You are entitled to all medical care included in the Dutch Health Insurance Law (Zvw) and Long-Term Care Act (Wlz), so not only necessary care. You can also travel to the Netherlands especially to undergo a medical treatment.
Tip
Bear in mind that to receive care under the Long-Term Care Act (Wlz) you need a care assessment decision. You can request such a decision from the Care Assessment Centre (Centrum indicatiestelling zorg - CIZ - only in Dutch). You can do this before you come to the Netherlands or during your (temporary) stay here.
More information
Read more on I want to go to the the Netherlands for medical treatment
On the website of Zilveren Kruis you'll find information on which healthcare is covered and what you need to do to get a refund.
- Information for retirees and beneficiaries (Zilverenkruis.nl/en)
- Information for family members of cross-border workers (Zilverenkruis.nl/en)
Healthcare in private clinics is generally not refunded. Such care is often not included in a country’s statutory insurance package. For example in Spain. Healthcare in a private clinic is not part of the healthcare insurance package there. In such a case you will receive an invoice that you will have to pay yourself. The same applies to medical care on a cruise ship. Those private healthcare providers (clinics or doctors) will not accept the EHIC as a means of paying for your healthcare. You can submit those costs to us. We will assess whether reimbursement is possible. For more information go to Claiming EHIC related healthcare costs
Personal contribution for healthcare abroad
In many countries you have to pay a personal contribution. You cannot pay this by using your EHIC. You can submit those costs to us. We will assess whether reimbursement is possible. Please note that you have to submit the invoice which states the total costs, not only the personal contribution. For more information go to Claiming EHIC related healthcare costs
Please note
For medical care in your country of residence, use the insurance card of your health insurance fund. You cannot use your EHIC. Costs incurred in your country of residence have to be submitted to your health insurer in your country of residence. Costs incurred in the Netherlands can be submitted to Zilveren Kruis.
You can submit those costs to us under certain conditions. For more information go to Claiming EHIC related healthcare costs
Are you travelling to another EU country for a medical treatment? Then you can not use your EHIC. You may be entitled to a reimbursement. This depends on your country of residence and the country where you will be treated.
Read more on I want to go abroad for medical treatment
Tip
Are you going to the Netherlands, especially for a medical treatment? In that case the rules are different. Read more on I want to go to the Netherlands for medical treatment