Over half of Brits are unaware that health insurance cards entitling them to free medical care in Europe have expiry dates, the government has found.
Britons planning to travel within Europe are being urged to check their European Health Insurance Cards (EHICs) to make sure they are still in date. The Department of Health has warned that holidaymakers could face large medical bills if their card has expired.
Government figures show that by the end of October, almost 1.5 million of the 28 million EHICs issued will be out of date. However, 52 per cent of Brits are unaware that the cards have an expiry date, which could leave them uninsured if they fail to reapply.
Paul Siddell, overseas healthcare programme manager at the Department of Health, said: "Many Brits are putting themselves at unnecessary risk by not checking their EHIC expiry date. If you're travelling in Europe it's vital that you carry an EHIC, as well as comprehensive travel insurance."
He said those planning a trip to another European country can renew their health insurance card online or over the phone and it will be delivered to them within ten days. And he pointed out that new cards can be applied for sixth months before the old one expires.
European Health Insurance Cards entitle UK citizens to free or discounted medical treatment in all European Union countries, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
