Social security card
My social security card, or my European Health Insurance Card, is an important tool whenever I consult a doctor or healthcare professional, whether in Luxembourg or abroad.
I am entitled to my card if I am insured in Luxembourg, either personally or as a co-insured family member.
But how do I use my card and how do I order one?
Everything I need to know
- Explanations
- Instructions for use
- Odering my card
What do I need to know about the Luxembourg social security card?
My Luxembourg social security card normally has two sides: a national side and a European side.
National side - Luxembourg social security identification card
This side is the ‘Grand Duchy of Luxembourg social security identification card’. It shows my 13-digit national identification number and my name. Each insured or co-insured member of my family must have their own card.
Among other things, the card entitles to health, maternity and long-term care cover in Luxembourg.
My card is valid for as long as I am affiliated in Luxembourg.
European side - European Health Insurance Card
The European side is known as the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and is identical in all Member States.
It entitles me to coverage for urgent and immediately necessary healthcare during a temporary stay in the countries of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland.
My card is valid for a limited period, indicated by an expiry date on the card.
How long is the European card valid for?
The period of validity of my European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is automatically calculated on the basis of how long I have been registered in Luxembourg.
During my first year of affiliation, the card is valid for 3 months. From the second year onwards, the validity increases progressively, up to 5 years.
However, if my membership in Luxembourg ceases, the card immediately becomes invalid, even if the expiry date has not yet been reached.
How do I use my card?
The national side
I present the national side of the card whenever I visit a doctor, pharmacy or any other healthcare provider or professional in Luxembourg.
If asked, I also present my identity card.
The European side
I can use the European Health Insurance Card or its equivalent document, the provisional replacement certificate, if I need medical care during a temporary stay abroad, i.e. in a Member State of the European Union, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland.
I can present my card or my provisional certificate directly to the service provider on the spot; no prior procedure with the local health insurance fund is necessary.
How to use my European Health Insurance Card abroad - The CNS explains everything on its website.
How do I get my card?
First card or card has already expired
If my current card has expired or I don't yet have one, I can order one from the Centre commun de la sécurité sociale website.
Card still valid but due to expire soon
If my current card is still valid but is due to expire soon, I can order a new card by contacting the CNS using the contact form.
Delivery time for the card
I should allow a maximum of 3 weeks between the time of my application and delivery of the card to my official address.
So I make sure I order my card with this deadline in mind.
I should also remember to notify the CNS of any change of address so that my card and any other correspondence can be forwarded correctly.
Provisional replacement certificate
In an emergency, I can request a provisional card replacement certificate (valid for 3 months from the date of issue) from MyGuichet.lu :
- In the event of a request WITH authentication and if I have activated the eDelivery function, the provisional replacement certificate for the European Health Insurance Card is deposited directly in my secure private eSpace on MyGuichet.lu.
- In the event of a request WITHOUT authentication on MyGuichet.lu and/or if the eDelivery function is not activated, the provisional replacement certificate will be sent to me by post.
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