UK holidaymakers incurred approximately £181.7 million in overseas medical treatment costs in 2025, according to data from the NHS Business Services Authority. More than 102,000 claims were processed using European Health Insurance Cards (EHIC) and Global Health Insurance Cards (GHIC) during the year.
Spain recorded the highest number of claims, with 41,454 cases totaling £24.1 million, representing over 40% of all claims. Despite being a popular destination, France ranked lower in claims than Poland, with 4,085 cases costing £9.3 million.
Poland emerged as the second country for medical claims, with 22,249 cases valued at £5.3 million. Experts suggest this high number, relative to its tourism ranking, could be due to factors such as longer stays, visits to family, or travel outside peak tourist seasons, leading to greater use of local healthcare services.
Other European countries with significant claims include Germany, which had 6,559 claims amounting to £5.2 million, and Belgium with 4,404 claims totaling £2.85 million. Austria recorded 4,042 claims for £3.43 million, and the Netherlands had 2,705 claims costing £3.49 million.
Rounding out the top destinations for claims were Croatia (2,605 claims, £775,000), Italy (2,351 claims, £2.13 million), and Czechia (2,134 claims, £592,000).
While EHIC and GHIC cards facilitate access to state healthcare in many European nations, they do not cover all costs. Travellers may still face upfront payments, prescription fees, or the need to claim expenses back. The NHS Business Services Authority figures indicate that costs can escalate, particularly during extended hospital stays.
Dr. John Akinjolire, a general practitioner, noted that healthcare risks abroad do not always correlate with destination popularity. He advised that holidaymakers often overlook medical considerations until an issue arises, leading to unexpected expenses.
The expiry of a significant number of GHIC cards is anticipated this year, with 1.29 million cards due to expire, predominantly during summer. An additional 157,866 EHIC cards are also set to expire.
Experts emphasize that GHIC cards are a useful supplement but should not replace comprehensive travel insurance. Travel insurance can cover medical treatment, prescriptions, accommodation, repatriation, and other potential issues such as cancellations or lost baggage. The cost of repatriation alone can amount to tens of thousands of pounds, depending on the location.