Documents to Translate for EHIC: What You Actually Need

You’re in Barcelona with a 39°C fever. Instead of paying €250 at a private clinic, you flip over your Krankenversicherungskarte - there’s the EHIC printed on the back. Show it at a state hospital and you’re seen on the same terms as locals. No out-of-pocket payment. But to have that card in your wallet, you first need to go through Krankenkasse registration - and some documents in that process require translation. Here’s exactly what to translate, when, and where to take it.

What EHIC Is and What It Covers¶

EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) is a free card that proves you’re insured under a state social security scheme in your country of residence, and are entitled to medically necessary healthcare in any EU/EEA country you’re visiting. It works in 31 countries: all 27 EU member states plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

The card itself is free - it’s not a separate insurance policy. The logic: you first need to be insured by Krankenkasse (or NFZ in Poland, VZP in Czechia), and EHIC follows automatically.

What EHIC covers during a temporary stay in another EU country: - Emergency and medically necessary care at state facilities - GP consultations within the state healthcare system - Prescription medications (partially or fully reimbursed - varies by country) - Hospitalization when medically necessary - Lab tests and scans at public hospitals

What EHIC does NOT cover: - Treatment at private clinics or private-practice doctors - Treatment you traveled specifically to receive (i.e., medical tourism) - Medical repatriation or transport home - Dental care unless it’s an emergency - Services not covered by the host country’s state system

The important nuance: EHIC doesn’t replace travel insurance. For repatriation, search and rescue, or private clinic coverage - you still need separate travel insurance. EHIC and travel insurance complement each other well.

Who Can Get EHIC: Conditions for Ukrainians¶

The main requirement is being insured under a state health insurance scheme in any EU/EEA country. Nationality isn’t a factor - insurance status is. This means Ukrainians officially registered with Krankenkasse (or an equivalent in another EU country) have full rights to EHIC.

Temporary protection (§24 Aufenthaltsgesetz in Germany) was extended by the EU Council until March 4, 2027. During this period, you have the right to full statutory health insurance - and with that, EHIC.

Also eligible: - Ukrainians who’ve received a Niederlassungserlaubnis (permanent residence) or EU citizenship - Ukrainian students at EU universities insured as students - Ukrainians working in the EU under an official employment contract

How to Get EHIC in Germany: Three Routes¶

In Germany, EHIC isn’t ordered separately - it’s automatically printed on the back of the elektronische Gesundheitskarte (eGK, your electronic health card). The goal is to get the eGK, and EHIC comes included.

There are three main routes for Ukrainians.

Route 1: Through Jobcenter (Bürgergeld)¶

The most common route for Ukrainians with §24. If you receive Bürgergeld, the Jobcenter automatically covers your Krankenkasse membership. You just pick a health insurer - AOK, TK, Barmer, DAK, KKH - it doesn’t matter which, they’re all gesetzliche Krankenkasse and all issue EHIC.

Documents needed for Jobcenter (for the insurance part): - §24 Aufenthaltstitel or Fiktionsbescheinigung - Anmeldebescheinigung (address registration confirmation) - Krankenkassenwahlformular (insurance selection form) - Mietvertrag (copy of rental agreement)

All of these are either issued in German by German authorities (§24, Anmeldung) or are standard forms. Nothing needs to be translated.

After submission, Jobcenter notifies Krankenkasse, and the eGK arrives by mail within 2-4 weeks. If you need coverage sooner, ask for an Ersatzbescheinigung (paper temporary document) - you can see a doctor with that. More on documents for Bürgergeld and Jobcenter.

Route 2: Through an Employer¶

If you’re working in Germany under an official employment contract, Krankenkasse registration happens automatically through your employer. You pick an insurer, the employer notifies them, and the eGK with EHIC arrives by mail. No special translations required for this.

Route 3: Voluntary Membership¶

If you don’t receive Bürgergeld and don’t have an employment contract, you can join Krankenkasse as a voluntary member (freiwillige Mitglied). Important: you must apply within 6 months of arriving in Germany or ending your previous coverage.

Minimum monthly contribution in 2026: around €210 (calculated from a minimum fictitious income of ~€1,176 × 14.6% + Pflegeversicherung). This route may require you to show proof of financial resources.

What Actually Needs Translating - and When¶

Here’s the core answer most people are looking for. For basic Krankenkasse registration, you don’t need to translate anything. The situation changes when you want to add family members.

Familienversicherung: Free Family Coverage¶

Familienversicherung lets you cover your spouse and children for free under your own insurance, as long as they: - Don’t have their own income (or it’s below €538/month in 2026) - Don’t have their own Krankenkasse membership - Are your legal family members (spouse or children up to age 23-25)

Sounds straightforward. But to set up Familienversicherung, Krankenkasse requires documented proof of the family relationship - and that’s where translations come in.

Adding a spouse: - Marriage certificate → certified translation into German required

Adding children: - Child’s birth certificate → certified translation into German required - If surnames differ (for example, child born before marriage or after divorce) - additional documents may be requested

As AOK PLUS states in their Familienversicherung requirements for Ukrainians:

Wenn die erforderlichen Unterlagen oder Bescheinigungen nicht in deutscher Sprache vorliegen, müssen diese von einem vereidigten Dolmetscher übersetzt werden.

Translation: if documents aren’t in German, they must be translated by a sworn translator. That’s AOK’s official position.

In practice, some smaller regional AOK branches or DAK offices sometimes accept informal translations for the first few months - but for the official Familienversicherung confirmation you’ll need a beglaubigte Übersetzung anyway. Better to do it right the first time.

Vaccination Documents for Children¶

When registering a child for Kita or school in Germany, they ask for proof of vaccinations. For a Hausarzt, the Ukrainian vaccination booklet often doesn’t need a certified translation - the doctor just needs to see what vaccine and when. But for Kita under Masernschutzgesetz (mandatory measles vaccination law), they may want an official document. More on translating vaccination records for Kita and school in Germany.

Medical Records for Insurance Purposes¶

Sometimes Krankenkasse or Pflegekasse (long-term care insurance) asks for medical documentation - for example when applying for a Pflegegrad (care level) or disability recognition. In that case, discharge summaries, diagnoses and test results need translation. More on translating medical documents for Krankenkasse and Rentenversicherung.

What Type of Translation Krankenkasse Actually Accepts¶

This is where most people get confused - in Ukraine there’s a notarially certified translation, and in Germany it works differently.

Beglaubigte Übersetzung (certified translation) - the standard for Krankenkasse and most official German authorities. This is a translation made and certified by a sworn translator (vereidigter Dolmetscher / beeidigter Übersetzer) - someone who took an oath before a German court. Their stamp and signature carry legal weight without any additional notary certification. More about sworn translation in Germany.

Notarially certified translation from Ukraine - in Ukraine, a notary certifies the translator’s signature. In Germany, this type of translation made by a Ukrainian notary generally isn’t accepted as equivalent to beglaubigte Übersetzung. Reason: a Ukrainian notarial oath has no legal standing in Germany.

Plain translation without certification - for documents proving family relationships, Krankenkasse won’t accept this.

Key point: even if you have a notarially certified translation with apostille from Ukraine - Krankenkasse may still reject it. You need a vereidigter Dolmetscher who took their oath in Germany. More on the difference between translation types.

Do You Need an Apostille?¶

For Krankenkasse, an apostille on a birth certificate or marriage certificate is generally not required. Apostilles are needed when you’re legalizing a document for full recognition by a foreign state (courts, notarial actions, diploma recognition). But for Familienversicherung purposes - a certified translation is sufficient.

If your document already has an apostille, that’s fine - use it. But if it doesn’t, don’t make a special trip just for Krankenkasse. More on apostilles for Ukrainian documents.

Document and Translation Requirements: Quick Reference¶

Situation	Document	Translation needed?	Type
Basic Krankenkasse registration (§24)	§24 + Anmeldung	No	-
Registration via Jobcenter	Same + Mietvertrag	No	-
Adding spouse (Familienversicherung)	Marriage certificate	Yes	Beglaubigte Übersetzung
Adding children (Familienversicherung)	Birth certificate	Yes	Beglaubigte Übersetzung
Vaccination records for Kita/school	Vaccination booklet	Usually informal	Basic translation
Medical records for Pflegegrad	Discharge summaries, diagnoses	Yes	Beglaubigte Übersetzung
Medical records for Hausarzt	Results, summaries	Usually no	Informal

Where to Order a Translation and What It Costs¶

Three main options:

Translation Bureau in Germany¶

Any Übersetzungsbüro in a major city. Find one through Google or the official register at justiz-dolmetscher.de. Advantage: personal contact, you can bring the original. Disadvantage: you need to go there physically or send documents by mail.

Cost: €60-120 per page, minimum fee usually €60-80 even for shorter documents. Timeline: 3-7 business days.

Freelance Sworn Translator¶

Find one through justiz-dolmetscher.de or bdue.de. Similar pricing to a bureau, sometimes slightly lower - €50-100. You arrange it directly, and most freelance translators also expect the original or a high-quality scan.

Online With a Sworn Translator¶

The third option - online services where sworn translators work remotely. You upload a scan of the document, AI creates a draft, then a vereidigter Übersetzer reviews, corrects and applies their official stamp - you receive a finished PDF with signature and sworn translator’s seal via email. ChatsControl offers this: upload a photo or scan of your certificate → receive a beglaubigte Übersetzung in 24-48 hours, from €30 per document. The potential downside is that some Krankenkasse offices prefer a physical stamp on paper - in which case they might ask for a printout sent by mail, but most offices now accept PDFs with electronic signatures.

How to Get EHIC in Poland (EKUZ)¶

In Poland, EHIC is called EKUZ (Europejska Karta Ubezpieczenia Zdrowotnego) and is issued by NFZ (Narodowy Fundusz Zdrowia - National Health Fund).

To receive EKUZ, you need to be registered in the NFZ system. Ukrainians with temporary protection in Poland have the right to NFZ health coverage and therefore to EKUZ.

From January 1, 2026, according to NFZ, applications for EKUZ for temporary stays in other EU countries must be submitted electronically only - through the mojeIKP app or IKP portal. Paper applications are no longer accepted for this type of request.

What you need for NFZ registration: - Document confirming temporary protection in Poland - Proof of address registration in Poland - In some situations - proof of employment or study

Do translations help with NFZ in Poland? Generally no, since the key documents are issued in Polish. But if Polish authorities request Ukrainian civil documents - they need to be translated into Polish by a sworn translator (tłumacz przysięgły).

Czech Republic and Other EU Countries¶

Czech Republic: Ukrainians with temporary protection were automatically registered with VZP (Všeobecná zdravotní pojišťovna) or another insurer. EHIC is requested directly from your insurer. Documents: temporary protection document, proof of Czech address registration. Translations are generally not required for EHIC itself, but may be needed for specific situations like adding family members.

Austria: Statutory health insurance through ÖÖGK or BVAEB. Same principle - EHIC automatically after registering with an insurer. Documents: residence permit, address registration.

Ireland: Through HSE (Health Service Executive). Apply at hse.ie or by post. Proof of residence in Ireland required.

General principle: every EU country has its own name and its own institution for this. But the logic is the same - first register with the local state insurance system, then EHIC is issued free on request.

Common Mistakes When Getting EHIC¶

Ordering a passport translation - completely unnecessary for Krankenkasse registration. Your §24 already contains all your data in German.

Bringing a translation made by a Ukrainian notary - Krankenkasse will likely reject this, because a Ukrainian notarial oath carries no legal weight in Germany. You need a vereidigter Dolmetscher who took their oath in Germany.

Waiting for EHIC before seeing a doctor - if the eGK hasn’t arrived by mail yet, ask your Krankenkasse for an Ersatzbescheinigung (paper temporary document, issued same day for free). You can see doctors with it - it’s just not EHIC itself.

Expecting EHIC to work at private clinics - it only works at state facilities. If the Hausarzt in Barcelona runs a private practice, EHIC won’t cover the visit.

Not renewing EHIC after §24 renewal - if your eGK has expired, request a new one from Krankenkasse.

Paying for private family insurance instead of using Familienversicherung - Familienversicherung is free, and €60-90 for a certified translation is much cheaper than even one month of private coverage for an additional family member.

EHIC Across Different EU Countries: Comparison¶

Country	Card name	Issuing body	How to apply	Documents for registration
Germany	EHIC (on eGK)	Krankenkasse (AOK, TK, Barmer…)	Automatic with insurance registration	§24 + Anmeldung
Poland	EKUZ	NFZ	Online via mojeIKP (since 2026)	Temp. protection doc + address reg.
Czech Republic	EHIC	VZP (and other insurers)	Directly with your insurer	Temp. protection document
Austria	EHIC	ÖÖGK / BVAEB	Directly with your insurer	e-card + residence permit
Ireland	EHIC	HSE	hse.ie or by post	Proof of Irish residence

FAQ¶

Can I use EHIC in Ukraine?¶

No. EHIC works only in EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. Healthcare in Ukraine isn’t covered by EHIC.

Does EHIC work in the UK for Ukrainians?¶

No. For third-country nationals (which includes Ukrainians relative to the EU), EHIC doesn’t work in the UK. The UK left the EU and while it has its own GHIC scheme for British nationals, Ukrainians insured in German Krankenkasse can’t access the British system through EHIC.

How long does it take to get the eGK after registering?¶

Usually 2-4 weeks by mail after Krankenkasse confirms your membership. If you need coverage sooner, ask for an Ersatzbescheinigung (paper temporary document) - issued the same day, free of charge.

What if Krankenkasse denied Familienversicherung because of missing translation?¶

Just get the translation done and resubmit. Familienversicherung isn’t “cancelled” - the confirmation just gets delayed. After you provide the certified translation, resubmit and confirmation is usually quick. If the denial was issued as a formal Bescheid, you have the right to Widerspruch (formal appeal) within one month.

Can I do the translation myself and have it notarially certified?¶

In Ukraine, yes - but Krankenkasse in Germany won’t accept it. You need a sworn translator who took their oath in Germany (vereidigter Dolmetscher). More on beglaubigte Übersetzung and why it differs from a notarized translation.

Is a translation needed for family reunification too?¶

Yes, but requirements are broader there - apostille plus certified translation. Familienversicherung with Krankenkasse is a simpler process where no apostille is usually required. More on translating documents for family reunification in Germany.

How do I check if my EHIC is actually valid in another country?¶

The card shows an expiry date (Gültig bis / Valid until). You can also check in your Krankenkasse’s mobile app - most major insurers (TK, AOK, Barmer) have apps that show your EHIC status. If it’s expired, contact Krankenkasse and ask for a new eGK.

Can I add my parents to Familienversicherung?¶

No. Familienversicherung only covers spouses and children (up to age 23-25). Parents aren’t included. If your parents have come to Germany, they need separate insurance.