Holidaymakers face being denied medical help or having to pay huge hospital bills because clinics in cash-strapped EU nations are refusing to treat them.
British tourists have been urged not to rely on the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which is supposed to give all EU citizens access to state medical care in member countries.
Hundreds are being held hostage by hospitals who are rejecting the cards and demanding travel insurers cover the cost of medical care.
Some patients who do not have travel insurance cover are being turned away or made to pay on the spot.
The problem is understood to be rife in Spain — and there have been reported incidents in Greece and Portugal.
So serious are the allegations that the European Commission has been forced to launch an investigation.
And a number of leading British insurance companies have lodged official complaints.
Julia Manning, spokeswoman for think tank 2020health, says: ‘We have heard many reports of holidaymakers being told they must pay for treatment in Spain — despite having an EHIC card.
‘These people are unwitting victims of the financial crisis and our Government should be warning about the dangers before we head abroad. We are in a situation when holidaymakers will have to check with their insurer before they leave home and say: “Will you cover me no matter what?” ’
Almost 11 million British tourists visit Spain each year. The country is facing huge cuts to its public services, which have left state hospitals running on a shoestring.
Any resident in an EU member country — plus Switzerland, Norway and Iceland — is entitled to get free state health care in a fellow member country by taking out an EHIC.
British travellers are not entitled to the same free treatments as the NHS would offer over here, but what local residents would get in their country.
Travel insurance is supposed to cover any shortfalls. However.............................
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