Martin Lewis ’ MoneySavingExpert website has issued an urgent travel warning to millions of Brits planning a holiday this year.
MSE explained how the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is being replaced by the new Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC).
If you have an EHIC you can continue to use it abroad until it expires - but with many of us having not travelled during the pandemic, holidaymakers are being urged to check if theirs is still valid.
Once your EHIC has expired, you’ll need to apply for a GHIC - unless you have rights to keep using the EHIC under the Withdrawal Agreement.
“Going to the EU? Ensure you've a valid GHIC or EHIC - millions expire this year,” warned the MoneySavingExpert team.
“If you plan to travel to the EU, these cards give you access to state-run hospitals or GPs at the same price as a local. So if it's free for them, it's free for you.
“If you've the old European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), check it is still valid.
“If you don't have one, since Brexit it's been replaced by the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) [though frankly it's misnamed, as it actually covers fewer countries and all are EU - Martin].”
The MSE team warned travellers not to use an external site that charges you to apply for a GHIC card - as it is free to get one through the NHS website.
“Never pay for either card (not even if they promise fast track - that's a scam),” they said.
The advice from Martin comes as travel restrictions are due to be further eased this month.
Do you feel comfortable booking a holiday this year? Let us know: mirror.money.saving@mirror.co.uk
From 4am on February 11, all testing requirements will be removed for fully vaccinated arrivals into the UK - this means you'll only need to fill out a Passenger Locator Form (PLF).
Arrivals who are not fully vaccinated will need to take a pre-departure test and a PCR test on or before day two after they arrive in the UK.
But Martin has reminded travellers that these are just the rules for returning home - you still need to check entry requirements for your holiday destination.
Some may still require Covid tests to enter their country, or they may not be allowing Brits in at all.
In a separate part of the MSE email, Martin warned: "It seems, hopefully, the pandemic's grip on our hospitals and economy is weakening. Across the UK, things are opening up and attitudes are loosening.
"Yet holidays aren't just about being allowed to depart our shores, it's whether we're welcomed elsewhere. Rules vary.
"For example, catch Covid in the UK and the vaccinated can leave self-isolation after as early as five days. Currently, to go to Spain you must declare you've not even had close contact with a confirmed case within the last seven days.
"Of course uncertainty still exists, things may, and have before, changed rapidly. Yet I think with travel we can and should (and I will) proceed, with caution, to book holidays again."
The MSE founder recommended spending money on a flexible booking and paying by credit card or debit card where possible for the most protection.
Credit cards have the advantage of both Section 75 and Chargeback protection, while debit cards have only chargeback.
Finally, Martin also suggested getting travel insurance and considering a package holiday so you have extra cover under the Package Travel Regulations if your destination closes its borders to Brits.
