From next month, travellers to EU countries will no longer have to go through the rigmarole of having to fill in a separate E111 form every time they go on holiday.

The E111 is to be replaced by a pocket-sized European Health Insurance Card, the EHIC, from September 1. The card will be valid for five years.

The card, like the E111 form, entitles anyone carrying it to free or reduced cost emergency medical treatment when travelling throughout the EU as well as other European countries including Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland.

In total, 20m cards will be sent out by local health authorities over the next 18 months. They are initially being sent to those who ticked a box requesting one when they applied for an interim E111, the form which replaced the original E111 form in January. Anyone seeking medical assistance after December 31 2005 will have to present the EHIC card rather than the old E111.

Unlike the E111, the interim E111 form, available from post offices, requires a separate form to be filled out for every member of the family - including children.

From September 1, applications for the EHIC can be made by phone or post. The quickest and easiest way will be at: dh.gov.uk/travellers.

The Association of British Travel Agents has warned that even with the new EHIC, travellers might still need to take out additional travel insurance.

The Department of Health said that although countries in the European Economic Area, including Iceland, Norway and Switzerland, are covered by the EHIC, it's worth checking before travelling the precise extent of cover.

A booklet that should arrive with your EHIC card carries full details.