Number of things need to be taken care of when planning to travel abroad. And health is one of the most important factor. Well, most of the travellers keep their medicines or other things that may prove to be helpful for them in terms of good health. In this respect, EU citizens need to keep their EHIC card with them essentially if they intend to travel to any of the citizens across European Union or Switzerland. It is basically the European Health Insurance Card that is granted by the local governments to their citizens so that they may easily get medical aid in foreign lands too either free of cost or at discounted prices. Thus it proves to be quite beneficial for the cardholders. Unfortunately, sometimes the chances are such that you may either lose your EHIC or it may get stolen. It may certainly land you in trouble. Now one may wonder what to do under such circumstances. Here are some solutions to this problem.

Order a replacement card when in the UK

In case you have lost your card or it is stolen when you are still in the UK then you can very easily order for a replacement EHIC card via the NHS. For this, you need to provide some details including your full name, date of birth, UK address and the national insurance number. It is just a simple process. Also, you need to provide your EHIC number as it may further ease the entire task. Though it may take some days for the replacement card to reach you ,however, you will certainly get it and become eligible for all the benefits associated with it while travelling across EU.

Facility for PRC

As already mentioned, you can very easily get a replacement card if you lose your EHIC in UK itself. Have you wondered what to do if you lose your EHIC card when you are abroad? Well, there is the facility of PRC or Provisional Replacement Certificate in this case. It can be issued to the concerned person and makes you eligible to get all the benefits that are otherwise obtainable from an original EHIC. It is worth noting that PRC acts as a temporary card and is valid just for the duration of your stay in the foreign land. It means you need to apply for and get a replacement EHIC as you come back to your homeland.

Benefits of PRC

As mentioned in the above point, a PRC entitles you to all the benefits of an original EHIC. It means you may get medical treatments or other medical aid free of cost or at discounted prices if so required by showing the PRC. Understanding the whole situation and being well aware about PRC, the concerned officials and institutions would readily offer you the requisite treatments and  help.

These are some easy solutions  when you lose your EHIC or it is stolen accidently. Taking proper care of your EHIC is perhaps in the best interest of all the concerned.