UK will launch European health insurance card in September

The standardised European health insurance card, launched last year, has quickly established itself as an essential item for people travelling to, or working temporarily in, countries in the European Union other than their own. The card, which entitles the visitor to urgent medical treatment as if they were insured in the host country, is now carried by 30 million EU citizens.

The United Kingdom will start issuing the card, which is valid for five years, to residents in September. This will replace the E111 form, the traditional certificate for non-private health insurance when abroad. Thirteen of the EU's …