Overseas property owners 'should check health insurance cards'

Friday March 27th , 2009

People who own properties in Italy and other European countries are being urged to check that their EU Health Insurance Cards (EHIC) have not expired.

The Department of Health is warning travellers that up to 3.3 million Britons may be in possession of expired cards.

First introduced in September 2005, the cards allow UK residents to claim reduced or free medical treatment when living and travelling in continental Europe.

However, travellers who cannot produce a valid card may face large medical fees if they become sick or injured during their time away.

GMTV's resident GP Dr Hilary Jones says he is concerned that so many UK travellers could be putting their health at risk.

He adds: "By delaying treatment until you return home, you are potentially allowing a condition to worsen in the meantime."

EHIC application forms can be found in Post Offices or downloaded online. The cards are free to apply for.

It is believed that as many as 28 million British residents now carry an EHIC. ADNFCR-1210-ID-19095597-ADNFCR