Europeans to get common health insurance cards

Date: 27/02/03

By Karen Carstens

EU CITIZENS may soon be carrying a common health card in their wallets, after the Commission last week proposed 1 June 2004 as the launch date of the European health insurance card.

The card will replace all current paper forms needed for medical treatment during temporary stays in another EU state.

It will take over from the existing "E111" form for short stays such as holidays and all forms used for temporary stays - employees posted to another country (E128), international road transport (E110), study (E128) and job seekers (E119).

In the last phase, it will take the form of an electronic "Smart" card, readable by computer. Belgium, France, Germany, Spain, and Slovenia have already issued health cards, while some are at the planning stage (Greece, Czech Republic). Others make little if any use of cards (Ireland, UK, and most candidate states).

The Commission proposes a gradual phasing-in, allowing states grace periods of up to 18 months.

Anna Diamantopoulou, the employment and social affairs commissioner, said the card "will also have a powerful symbolic value: after the euro, the European health card is another piece of Europe in your pocket".

The European Commission has proposed 1 June 2004 as the launch date of the European health insurance card. The card will replace all current paper forms needed for medical treatment during temporary stays in another EU state.