You can apply for a UK GHIC if you’re a UK resident who is currently studying in:
- a European Union (EU) country
- Switzerland
- Norway
- Iceland
- Liechtenstein
- Montenegro
Information about who is entitled to healthcare in Switzerland.
Studying in Switzerland
If you’re not entitled to healthcare cover in Switzerland, your UK GHIC will not cover you in Switzerland but will cover when visiting a European Union (EU) country, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, or Montenegro.
Studying in Montenegro
If you’re studying in Montenegro, you'll not be able to make an application using the online portal.
Email your application to nhsbsa.ghicapplicationsohs@nhsbsa.nhs.uk.
Include in your email your:
- name
- date of birth
- permanent UK Address including postcode
- telephone number
- email address
- name and address of the UK educational institution
- address where you're studying
- qualification you're studying for
- dates of study
Once you've applied, you'll receive an email asking to provide evidence from your place of study.
The OHS Registrations Team can send you a proforma for your university to complete. You can request this by emailing nhsbsa.ghicapplicationsohs@nhsbsa.nhs.uk.
If you’re a non-UK national student, you'll also need to provide evidence that you have EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) status or have the right to reside in the UK, such as:
- evidence of your EUSS status
- UK or Irish passport
- UK birth certificate
- certificate of UK Naturalisation
- biometric residence permit (both sides)
- permanent residence certificate
- an Accession State Worker Registration Scheme certificate
The UK GHIC will provide you with healthcare cover when travelling in EU Member States, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein and will be valid for the duration of your course.
Existing UK GHIC
If you have a UK GHIC but need a student card, you must email your details to our OHS Registrations Team. Include in your email your:
- name
- date of birth
- permanent UK Address including postcode
- telephone number
- email address
- name and address of the UK educational institution
- address where you're studying
- qualification you're studying for
- dates of study
The OHS Registrations Team will contact you to advise what evidence is required for your period of study.
The OHS Registrations Team can send you a proforma for your university to complete. You can request this by emailing nhsbsa.ghicapplicationsohs@nhsbsa.nhs.uk.
Once evidence is received, the details of study will be added to your record. Your existing UK GHIC will be treated as a student UK GHIC for the period of study.
You must advise us if your circumstances change, or you no longer need the card.
Extend a student UK GHIC
If you need to extend your student UK GHIC, you must email your details to our OHS Registrations Team. Include in your email your:
- OHS reference number
- name
- date of birth
- permanent UK address, including postcode
- telephone number
- email address
- new course end date
The OHS Registrations Team will contact you to advise what evidence is required to extend your UK GHIC.
Once evidence is received, the expiry date will be amended, and a new UK GHIC will be issued.
Placement in multiple countries
The online application allows one country to be entered for a student UK GHIC.
If you’re studying in more than one country, you must apply for the first country you’ll be studying in using the online portal.
If you need cover in another country, you must email your details to our OHS Registrations Team. Include in your email your:
- OHS reference number
- name
- date of birth
- permanent UK address, including postcode
- telephone number
- email address
- new country of study
- study dates
The OHS Registrations Team will contact you to advise what evidence is required to extend your UK GHIC in the new country.
Once evidence is received, the expiry date will be amended, and a new UK GHIC will be issued.