[8] European Health Insurance cards are provided free to all legal residents of participating countries.

There are however various businesses who act as non-official agents on behalf of individuals, arranging supply of the cards in return for payment, often offering additional services such as the checking of applications for errors and general advice or assistance.

In 2010 the British government moved against companies that invited people to pay for the free EHIC, falsely implying that through payment the applicant could speed up the process.

[14][15] Since 2022, some UK citizens and permanent residents are eligible for a new UK-issued EHIC valid for visits to these countries as well as to Switzerland.

[16][4] Eligible persons are those who meet one of the following criteria:[17] During its participation in the scheme, EHIC access covered the British overseas territory of Gibraltar.