EU citizens can use the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to claim medically necessary public health services during a temporary stay in one of the 28 EU countries, as well as in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. They will be treated under the same conditions and at the same cost (free in some countries) as those insured in the respective country. Any costs incurred are usually reimbursed retroactively by the patient’s own health insurance provider. The card is free and is issued by the health insurance providers. It is not a substitute for foreign travel health insurance, however.

Source: Europäische Kommission, edited