The Entitlement Unit within the Health Department has, since 2006, issued 150,000 E-111 cards, including 28,000 this year.

The Parliamentary Secretary for Health, Joe Cassar, told a news conference that 4,600 cards were issued between July 15 and August 14.

The countries in the E-111 scheme are the EU 27 as well as Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Lichtenstein. Through the scheme, persons from participating countries can receive emergency treatment in the state hospitals of the other participating countries under the same conditions as ordinary residents.

That means that where medical treatment is free, the E-111 card holder will get free treatment and the bill is sent to the government of his country. If residents pay part or the complete cost, the same charges are levied on the card holder.

Dr Cassar said that to date the government had received bills for €400,000.

He urged travellers to still take out travel insurance since not all countries provide free medical treatment for their residents.

The card is issued for three years. People are encouraged to appy for it 15 working days before going abroad.