{"id":528591,"date":"2026-04-13T14:08:15","date_gmt":"2026-04-13T14:08:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/528591\/"},"modified":"2026-04-13T14:08:15","modified_gmt":"2026-04-13T14:08:15","slug":"new-alert-as-important-nhs-document-to-expire-for-millions-how-to-stop-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/528591\/","title":{"rendered":"New alert as important NHS document to expire for millions – how to stop it"},"content":{"rendered":"

Nearly 800,000 are due to run out during peak summer holiday months<\/p>\n

Charlotte Smith Senior Lifestyle Content Editor<\/p>\n

13:34, 12 Apr 2026<\/p>\n

\"An<\/p>\n

You can apply for card on the official NHS website(Image: Getty)<\/p>\n

A warning has been issued by financial experts, as a crucial document is set to expire for millions of people across the UK this year, raising fears that vast numbers of British holidaymakers could be caught off guard right at the height of the holiday season.<\/p>\n

More than 1.2 million UK Global Health Insurance Cards (GHICs) are due to expire in 2026. Nearly 800,000 are expected to run out during the peak summer holiday months of July to September, according to new Freedom of Information data accessed by PayingTooMuch<\/a>, a travel insurance comparison site.<\/p>\n

The NHS<\/a> states that a GHIC allows you to access necessary state healthcare in the European Economic Area (EEA) and in certain other countries on the same basis as a resident of those countries. This may be free of charge, or it may require a payment equivalent to that which a local resident would pay.<\/p>\n

On the NHS website, it states: “A UK GHIC is free and lasts for up to five years. Apply for your new card through the NHS website. Avoid unofficial websites \u2013 they may charge you a fee to apply. The UK GHIC is not a replacement for travel insurance. We advise you to have private travel and medical insurance for the duration of your trip.”<\/p>\n

The FOI submitted to NHS Business Services Authority also highlights a considerable surge in expiring cards this summer. The data reveals that more than 290,000 GHICs are due to lapse in August alone, coinciding with the busiest period for overseas travel. In response, a financial expert cautions that thousands of holidaymakers could unknowingly travel abroad with expired GHICs this summer, reports the Mirror<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"An<\/p>\n

The UK GHIC has replaced the existing European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)<\/p>\n

While this is a minor detail frequently overlooked during holiday preparations, it’s one that could result in serious ramifications. Hannah Mayfield<\/a> (DipFA), founder of What Is Wealth, says the significant number of 2026 expiries could leave many individuals unprepared.<\/p>\n

She said: “If you fall ill or face a medical emergency, discovering too late that your GHIC is no longer valid only adds stress at the worst possible moment.<\/p>\n

“With such a high number of GHICs expiring this year, particularly during the busy summer holiday period, it’s vital that travellers check their card well in advance. It is an easy detail to overlook, but one that could leave you seriously exposed once you are already overseas.”<\/p>\n

Mayfield cautions that the dangers don’t end at travelling with an expired card. The FOI data also reveals how costly medical treatment abroad can become, even when state support is accessible. The highest GHIC\/EHIC claim last year exceeded \u00a3340,000, while the second highest topped \u00a3226,000.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

More than 1.2 million are due to expire in 2026 (stock image)(Image: Getty)<\/p>\n

“That is the part many travellers may not fully realise,” explains Mayfield. “While a GHIC can help to access basic state-provided healthcare, it is not designed to cover the full range of issues travellers commonly encounter \u2013 from private treatment costs if needed to flight cancellations, lost bags or emergency repatriation to bring you home.”<\/p>\n

A GHIC is accepted in most EU countries, as well as a handful of additional nations with reciprocal healthcare agreements. It can help reduce your medical costs abroad should you require treatment, though it does not make treatment entirely free or cover every eventuality.<\/p>\n

You may still need to pay for treatment upfront and purchase prescriptions, which can then be claimed back through your travel insurance. If you use your GHIC to cover medical fees abroad and subsequently make a medical claim through your travel insurance, some providers will waive the policy excess on the medical claim, saving you money in the long run.<\/p>\n

Mayfield reminds holidaymakers that travel insurance is an essential part of holiday planning, as a good policy provides protection in areas that the GHIC does not. When choosing a policy, she advises checking that cancellation cover matches the full cost of your holiday and ensuring it is tailored to your health needs, destination, and excursions. Comparing travel insurance is a good way to find cover that suits you and the type of trip you are taking, especially if you have with pre-existing health conditions.”<\/p>\n

With so many GHICs due to expire this year, experts are urging travellers to check both their card and travel insurance at the same time they book their trip. Renewing early is particularly vital if your card expires within six months of your trip, as leaving it too late could lead to complications should treatment be required overseas. “You can apply for a free GHIC directly from the official UK government website. All family members should have one in their name. You’ll need your UK address and some basic personal details and usually it will arrive within 7-10 working days.”<\/p>\n

“Be wary of bogus sites asking you to pay for a GHIC as you don’t need to, they are free,” she adds. Mayfield encourages holidaymakers to “check their GHIC now, don’t wait until the airport to discover it has expired.”<\/p>\n

How can you stop your GHIC from expiring?<\/p>\n

Simply apply for a new one once there are only a few months left on your current card. You can apply for a UK GHIC if you’re a resident in the UK via the NHS website<\/a> – make sure it is the official website first. You can also add your family members to your application when you apply. You’ll need to provide your:<\/p>\n

full nameaddressdate of birthNational Insurance numberHealth and Care number (if you’re from Northern Ireland)<\/p>\n

The NHS says: “After you’ve submitted your application, we’ll email you within 24 hours to let you know whether it has been approved or not (if you don’t get a reply, check your junk folder). We may need to see additional information or documents before approving it.<\/p>\n

“Once your application has been approved, you should receive your new card within 15 working days. It will be sent to you by post. If you do not receive it before you travel, and need medically necessary treatment during your visit, you can apply for a Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC) to get temporary cover.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Nearly 800,000 are due to run out during peak summer holiday months Charlotte Smith Senior Lifestyle Content Editor…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":528592,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[43],"tags":[102,2960,104,981,387,56,54,55],"class_list":{"0":"post-528591","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-healthcare","8":"tag-health","9":"tag-healthcare","10":"tag-nhs","11":"tag-traffic-and-travel","12":"tag-travel","13":"tag-uk","14":"tag-united-kingdom","15":"tag-unitedkingdom"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/528591","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=528591"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/528591\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/528592"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=528591"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=528591"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=528591"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}