The European Health Insurance Card: EHIC
If you need urgent medical care during your stay in Europe, simply show your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and they’ll know that you’re insured with CZ. The healthcare provider abroad can then claim the healthcare costs directly from CZ, so you will not need to pay anything up front.
Find your EHIC in the CZ app
Your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), as well as that of any members of your household who are also insured on your policy, is conveniently available in the CZ app. This way you always have the EHIC to hand on your travels. If you haven’t installed the CZ app yet, download it from the App Store or the Google Play Store.
Countries that accept the EHIC
You can use the EHIC in all European Union (EU) member states, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, the United Kingdom and Switzerland.
Note: the EHIC is not valid in the country where you live.
How the EHIC works
You will receive the same reimbursement as residents of the country you are visiting. The reimbursement will not be set off against any outstanding deductible you have in the Netherlands.
If you have to pay a personal contribution abroad, submit a claim to us for these costs when you get back. These costs may be reimbursed under your additional insurance package or travel insurance.
If you are no longer insured with us and you use the CZ-issued EHIC anyway, you will be required to repay us for the costs incurred. The EHIC is in your name, meaning you cannot lend the card to someone else.
Cases in which the EHIC is not valid
The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) only entitles you to necessary medical care during a temporary stay abroad. The EHIC will not cover medical expenses for:
- scheduled medical treatment abroad
- healthcare by a private healthcare provider or when you go to a private clinic
- medical treatment on a cruise ship
- an emergency return home (repatriation)
Order the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
The digital version of the EHIC is available in the CZ app as standard. If you would prefer to have a physical card, ordering one could not be any easier. You will receive the card for free at your home address within five working days. The plastic EHIC is valid for five years.
CZ Helpline
If you are on holiday or travelling and have a question about your health, or the EHIC in the app is not accepted, call the CZ Helpline on +31 13 468 04 02.
Frequently asked questions
How long is an EHIC valid for?
The physical card is valid for five years, as long as you are insured with CZ. The digital EHIC in the CZ app is always valid for as long as you are insured with CZ.
When do I use which healthcare card?
At CZ, we have three different healthcare cards. The CZ healthcare card, the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), and the international healthcare card. In the following, we will explain when to use which card.
Digital CZ healthcare card
This is the card to use in the Netherlands to show that you are insured with CZ. With your digital healthcare card, you always have your customer number to hand, so that your healthcare provider can quickly check what package you have taken out and what reimbursement you are entitled to. Your CZ healthcare card, as well as that of any members of your household who are also insured on your policy, is conveniently available in the CZ app. Download the CZ app
Digital European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
Use this card when you are abroad. If you need urgent medical care while on holiday, use your digital EHIC to show that you are insured with CZ. Your EHIC, as well as that of any members of your household who are also insured on your policy, is conveniently available in the CZ app Download the CZ app
If the EHIC in the app is not accepted, always call the CZ Helpline: +31 13 468 04 02
International healthcare card
Use this card when going to a medical specialist in Germany in the Meuse-Rhine, Northern Meuse-Rhine, and Rhine-Waal euroregions. Use the international healthcare card only for scheduled healthcare. Read more about the international healthcare card.