The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) has celebrated five years of use this week.

The card is available to citizens of 31 European countries and is held by over 180 million people.

It entitles European citizens to medical treatment if they fall ill in the EU, Norway, Liechtenstein, Iceland and Switzerland.

Vladimír Špidla, the Commissioner for Employment and Social Affairs, remarked: "On a summer holiday, we all expect rest and relaxation, but for an unlucky few it can mean accident and emergency.

The European Health Insurance Card brings peace of mind to millions of people travelling in the EU.

With the card, they can enjoy their holidays without worrying about expensive treatment or complicated procedures should they fall ill or have an accident in another European country."

The card is currently held by around 35% of European citizens and entitles travellers to the same medical treatment a local would receive if they fall ill or suffer injury.

However, travellers have been warned that the card is not a replacement for a comprehensive travel insurance policy.