AN SNP MEP is urging Scots to sign up for a free European Health Insurance Card ahead of the summer holidays.
Ian Hudghton, who represents Scotland in the European Parliament, recently lodged a parliamentary question to the European Commission to ask how many European Health Insurance Cards had been issued.
The Commission responded to the MEP and indicated that the most up to date information suggests only 25 million cards were allocated – equating to around just 40% of the UK population.
A figure for Scotland was not made available on account of it being a region within the UK.
In reaction to the figures the Euro MP urged Scots to sign up for a European Health Insurance Card.
Ian Hudghton said: “An EHIC enables travelers to access state-provided healthcare in European Economic Area (EEA) countries, including Switzerland, at a reduced cost, or sometimes for free.
“It will cover treatment until travelers return home. It also covers treatment of pre-existing medical conditions and routine maternity care.
“These figures from the European Commission simply suggest that too many folk still don’t have access to a European Health Insurance Card. I am therefore urging everyone from Selkirk to Shetland, from Dundee to Dunoon, to sign up for a free European Health Insurance card today.”
