Britons travelling abroad can apply for the new European Health Insurance card (EHIC) to get free or cheaper medical care whilst in Europe and Switzerland.

The new card, which comes into effect from January 1st 2006, replaces the E111 but it does not cover all medical expenses. Travellers will still need to take out insurance and expats will need private medical care.

It covers chronic and pre-existing conditions, but people needing specific essential treatments such as kidney dialysis arrange their medical care in advance.

Some European countries including France will charge holidaymakers involved in an accident a percentage of any medical costs whilst others charge for use of their ambulance service but these can be recovered on travel insurance.

Some travel insurers will require holidaymakers to have EHICs before travelling. Most policies will, however, pay for repatriation which the card does not cover.

A Department of Health spokesman said: "The card might not cover all the things you would expect to receive free from the NHS in the UK. You may have to make a contribution. The EHIC won't cover you if getting medical treatment is the main purpose of your trip."

The card is valid in: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus (but not Northern Cyprus), Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.