To apply for an EHIC you will need to provide your name, date of birth and NHS or National Insurance number. In Scotland the NHS number is known as the Community Health Index or CHI number and in Northern Ireland it is known as the Health and Care number.
You are also able to apply for an EHIC for your spouse or partner and any children up to the age of 16 (or 19 if they are in full-time education) whom you have or care for at the same time as applying for your own card. You must be over 16 to apply as a main applicant.
If you lose or have your EHIC stolen within the UK then you will need to apply for a replacement. If it is lost or stolen abroad then you will need to apply for a replacement upon your return to the UK. If you require healthcare whilst you are abroad and have lost or had your EHIC stolen, then you will need to contact the Department for Work and Pensions in the UK and obtain an EHIC Provisional Replacement Certificate.
If you need to renew your EHIC then you can do this no more than six months before it expires. If you wish to change any details on your EHIC, for example a change of name due to marriage or divorce, then you will need to obtain a replacement EHIC.
