Friday December 12, 2025

EHIC validity extended from 2 years to 5 years

Published : 12 Dec 2025, 02:16

Updated : 12 Dec 2025, 02:20

DF Report

DF File Photo.

The validity period of the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) will be extended to five years from the existing two years, said the national social insurance institution- Kela on Thursday.

The card holders need not to do anything in this regard as Kela will automatically renew EHIC cards at the end of their validity period.

Kela, however, said that there might be a short break in the delivery of new cards.

People, who do not have an EHIC card are recommend to apply for it well in advance of their planned travel dates.

Cards ordered after early 2026 will have the new, longer validity period and Kela will renew the new cards every five years.

The change does not affect the EHIC cards that are still valid. The new card will look the same and work the same way.

“The extended validity period means that we do not have to renew cards so often, and that makes life easier for our customers,” said Karoliina Andersson, Coordinator of Kela.

The card supplier will change, and that may lead to a break in the delivery of new cards in late 2025 and early 2026.

“If you do not have a card at the moment and you are going abroad early next year, apply for the card well before Christmas. You can also ask Kela to issue you a temporary certificate if you are about to travel and cannot get the card in time,” Andersson added.

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) gives people access to medically necessary healthcare during a temporary stay in another EU or EEA country, Switzerland or the United Kingdom.

Medically necessary treatment means treatment that cannot be delayed until you return home. Examples include accidents or sudden illness.

The EHIC card is accepted by public healthcare providers and by private doctors who have an agreement with their local health insurance institution.

The EHIC card is free of charge and issued by Kela to applicants in Finland. People can get an EHIC card if they are covered for health insurance in Finland or if Finland is responsible for the costs of their medical care.