Travel abroad it’s fun, but the preparation requires patience and dedication to avoid unpleasant surprises. The list of things to keep in mind before setting off is long. Airline tickets, hotel reservations, travel, luggage, clothing, accessories… It is equally important to have all the necessary documentation ready: identifier, passport, driving license… And it is here that many travelers do not pay attention to health documents that can save us from difficult situations. This is about European sanitation card (TSE), which covers medical needs that may arise during a temporary stay on the territory of the country European Economic Area, great Britain one of Switzerland.

The European Health Insurance Card is free and generally have two year validity. It can be obtained by registered workers (or in assimilated situations), retirees and beneficiaries of health care holders.

How to apply for or renew a European Health Insurance Card

The TSE can be requested and updated online and in person:

• From electronics office. This requires identification via an electronic certificate, cl@ve (permanent username and password) or via SMS. If requested via this last option, the telephone number must be entered in the Jamsostek database and the first name, last name, telephone number, identification document, and date of birth must be included.
• from portals Your Social Security. For identification and access, cl@ve, a digital certificate or via SMS is required.
• Directly. Simply before travel and by appointment, go to the Social Security Information and Service Center (CAISS).

According to updateJamsostek reminds that this procedure can be managed at the Social Security Information and Attention Center up to 30 days prior to the end of the TSE. It can also be done at Jamsostek’s electronic headquarters, without the need for a digital certificate, up to 60 days before the expiration date.

How long does it take for Social Security to send the TSE

Social Security will send the card to the holder’s address at a period of not more than five days.

Countries where the TSE is valid

Germany, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Croatia, Denmark, Slovakia, Slovenia, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Czech Republic, Romania, Sweden, United Kingdom and Switzerland.

Pay for medical care

Social Security remember that many states They charge a fee to provide healthcare., as they do with their citizens who are part of their health regime. It is advisable to know very well the scope and rates of the country to visit. In addition, it must be remembered that TSE invalid when displacement has purpose of receiving medical care.

TSE coverage in each country

To find out the coverage of EHIC in each European country, The European Commission maintains this websitewhere we can select countries to visit and get valuable information about medical care, hospitalization, ambulance or prescriptions.