Just incase there is anyone else out there like me that doesn't know that the European Health Insurance Card only last for x years (sorry I don't know how many). Thankfully someone pointed it out on another site which made me check mine and my husbands cards which have any expiry date on of 10th April. However they were very easy to renew on www.ehic.org.uk .

Thought I would resurrect this one as I have just noticed my EHIC card ran out in 2007...OMG

Just renewed it on the website in the post above.

WORD OF WARNING (which was main reason for this post). There are now numerous very clever websites looking like the official site but they charge for renewals. www.ehic.org.uk is the official and FREE website.

OK if you are UK resident, but if France resident you need a Carte Européenne d'Assurance Maladie which are only valid for 1 year!

Info at http://vosdroits.service-public.fr/F213.xhtml

but you have to get your card through your Carte Vitale supplier, being an auto-entrepreneur mine is RAM, details at http://www.ramgamex.fr/portal/public/ramgamex/accueil/services/repository/collaboration/sites%20content/live/ramgamex/web%20contents/repertoires/services-en-ligne/services/sousMenu/ceam

And being France there is alway the exception to the rule ....
If you are an OAP its England you get it from!!

Prior to the new rule for EHIC, we got ours through the CPAM, but as from 2010 as pensioners we get a 5 year one from because the UK is now reponsible for UK pensioners health care.

This co-incides with the new requirement to give to the French tax office every year when you complete your tax form a copy of your original Form121 (now S1) to prove to them that the UK pays for all your health care in France. Newcastle told me they dont keep a copy, telephoned CPAM HQ at Alencon and withing 4 days recieved a copy that was deposited with them 13 years ago when we first arrived, save this and copy each year for the annual tax. As the UK state pension is now classed as a 'private pension' in France you will recieve a tax demand, you can reclaim this from the UK Tax man after completing a special claim form, in English and French.

OOPs! 'a 5 year one from because the UK is now reponsible ' Sorry but this should be:

a 5 year one from UK because the UK is now responsible .

No way to edit on here.

Xmalfran, have you managed to actually get a card from the RAM website? Just spent a frustrating 20 mins registering on the site, (we are AE and with RAM), but just got taken round in circles when trying to apply for one.