Millions of UK travellers could have been left exposed to unplanned medical costs by failing to
travel abroad with a valid E111 .
This shock statistic comes from research commissioned by Post Office travel services which reveals that UK
holidaymakers remain ignorant of the need to travel with a valid E111 - indeed one in five of those
surveyed neglected to do so when visiting countries in the European Union.

And with more and more direct air routes from Northern Ireland onto the European mainland, the need for a
valid E111 is even more relevant to travellers here.Of those travelling without one, nearly half (42 per
cent) admit they do so as they are unaware of its benefits, while a third incorrectly presume that they
don't need a form to receive medical cover within the EU because they are a UK resident.

More than a quarter (27 per cent) still believe that all family members can be included on one form,
despite each individual now requiring their own. Furthermore, 69 per cent of travllers are unaware that
forms obtained before August 19, 2004 are no longer valid.

Hugh Stacey, Head of Travel Services at the Post Office, said: "We are extremely concerned that
travellers do not recognise the importance of the E111. As a result, millions of holidaymakers are
leaving themselves vulnerable to unnecessary headaches in recovering medical costs they are entitled to as a
UK resident, should they be taken ill or involved in an accident on holiday.

"Our survey showed that many people do not consider E111s to be a priority when organising a holiday and
often forget about getting a form. "We are urging anyone planning to holiday within the EU to ensure that a valid E111 is on their essential
checklist. E111 forms are completely free and all it takes is a trip to your local Post Office to pick one
up and get it validated."
Although low awareness of the changes to the forms
remains a problem, confusion is also a major concern,
with 43 per cent of holidaymakers incorreectly
believing travel insurance to be a substitute for an
E111. Furthermore, almost half (42 per cent) of the
surveyed holidaymakers who required medical treatment
in the EU last year did not have a valid E111.

Post Office Travel Services is urging holidaymakers
who are planning to travel in the next few weeks to
ensure they have an up-to-date E111. According to its
latest records, the PO expects to validate up to 12
million forms this year, but in excess of 20 million
UK travellers will need, new, validated forms!

The E111 is not a substitute for travel insurance and
Post Office travel services strongly recommends that
holidaymakers take out adequate travel cover in case
of theft or loss of belongings, medical costs, or
repatriation.

The revised form, which is valid until the end of
2005, is available free of charge from any of the
15,000 Post Office branches across the UK. From
January 2006, all countries in the EU, including the
UK, will need to be compliant with the European Health
Insurance Card (EHIC) will will be issued
automatically to residents with a valid E111.

Travellers are also advised to refer to the Health
Advice for Travellers booklet, available from all Post
Office brances, to find out more about E111s.

Travellers can also find more information under the
Medical Care Abroad section on the PO website - log on
for details to www.postoffice.co.uk/travelinsurance