EHIC form (as in the old E111 form) for travelling- if I apply for it NOW would be valid in time for next week?

[ilikeyoursleeves]

We just booked a last minute holiday to Menorca for this Monday. I am 30 weeks pregnant (dr has said I'm fit to travel) so want to get this EHIC form just in case anything untowards happens (I've never carried a EHIC card before). The website says that it takes 7 working days to process but does anyone know if it's valid from the moment you fill out the online form or would I need to actually have the card in hand so to speak??? Plus do I really need this form if I have good travel insurance?

I do believe you need the card in your hand to be able to hand it over at which ever relevant hospital.hth's

no idea - but once you have them they don't have an expiry date.
So you might as well apply on the basis that it does no harm to have done so.

I applied for one last summer for all of our family and I spoke to a chap on the phone who gave me a number to quote abroad if our cards didn't turn up in time (they did). I would give them a ring.

Message withdrawn

Ours have always come within about 4 days.

If you do it over the phone you know they've got the right information.

I'd definitely try to get one.

Same as meebles, when it looked like ours wouldn't arrive in time (they did - took 3 days), I phoned and was given a number for any hospital etc to phone & they would fax a copy of our form to them.

Message withdrawn

Mine also came very quickly - within 2-3 working days. I forgot to do one for DS and had to take him to hospital in Spain. They just asked me to fax them the card when I got back to the UK, otherwise they would need to charge me. Not sure if they'd all be happy to do that though.