European Health Card Useless in Morocco: Travelers Urged to Secure Private Insurance

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) allows you to receive medical care during a temporary stay in another country of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or in Switzerland, under the same conditions and at the same rate as the insured of the visited country. Issued by the Health Insurance (CPAM, MSA, etc.), this nominative and individual card, free of charge, attests to the health insurance rights of its holder. While it facilitates the coverage of medically necessary care during a stay abroad, it does not replace a supplementary travel insurance.

The request for the EHIC can be made by any person affiliated with the Health Insurance in France before a stay in Europe. It is accepted in the 27 Member States of the European Union, but also in Iceland; Liechtenstein; Norway; Switzerland; the United Kingdom (since Brexit, the EHIC is still accepted for temporary stays, such as holidays, studies, business trips). But non-EU and EEA (European Economic Area) countries, such as the United States, Australia, Canada, Turkey, Morocco, China, Brazil, etc., do not accept the EHIC. Travelers arriving in these countries must therefore take out private travel insurance to be covered in case of health problems.