Students

If you are covered by the social security of some EU/EEA country (your home country) and are moving to another EU/EEA country (host country) temporarily to study (e.g., for an exchange), then your healthcare is still covered by your home country.

By presenting your  EHIC, you can get access to medically necessary state-provided healthcare in your host country during your temporary stay on the same conditions and at the same price as locals.

Temporary Stay vs. Moving your Residence

You may still be able to use your EHIC even if your exchange is a longer one (e.g., one year) as long as you are planning to move back to your home country at the end of your exchange, as in that case your stay in the host country is still considered temporary.

However, if you move your residence to your host country, then you will no longer be able to use EHIC, as you will become affiliated to the social security system of your host country and it will become responsible for your healthcare coverage.

The determining factor in whether your stay in the host country is temporary, or you have moved your residence there, is whether you have moved your “centre of interest” to your host country. 

As long as you do not move your centre of interest to your host country, your stay is considered temporary.

However, if you have moved your centre of interest, your residence will also change for the purposes of social security (and health) coverage.

You cannot decide whether you have moved your centre of interest (and hence residence)!

Instead, this is determined by the relevant social security institutions, and it is done based on different factors, such as the duration and intention of your stay, your family ties and housing situation in your host country, as well as what is the source of your income.

Reach out to the relevant National Contact Point in case you wonder whether you have moved your centre of interest.

What if I work along my studies?

If you work along your studies in your host country, then generally you will become affiliated with its social security system and it will hence become responsible for your healthcare coverage.

Beware that there might be certain exceptions to that rule – for example, in some countries, if you are doing an internship along/as part of your studies, and your wage does not reach the minimum wage, then you would not become affiliated to the social security system of your host state.

In case of a doubt as to whether you become affiliated with the social security system of the host state if you work along your studies there, contact the relevant National Contact Point.

If you are not covered by any EU/EEA Social Security System

If you are not covered by the social security system of any EU/EEA country, and you are planning to come to the EU/EEA to study, you will need a comprehensive health insurance.

Last updated on 31 January 2025