Plans to introduce a European health insurance card within the UK have been announced today by health minister John Hutton.

The card, already introduced in 13 European countries, will replace paper forms such as the E111, which are currently used by travellers to claim free healthcare in Europe.

The free five-year card will not carry electronic or clinical data on the cardholder, the Department of Health (DoH) said.

Plans for a separate "NHS smart card" were announced in June, however, and Mr Hutton has spoken out in favour of the government's proposed ID card scheme, arguing that it would make it "easier for NHS staff" to check patients' eligibility for treatment.

A Department of Health spokesman said plans for an NHS smart card would be drawn up to in conjunction with the 'Eurocard'.

The European card will show the holder's name and date of birth as well as a personal identification number and will follow an EU-wide format.

The cards, which must be introduced everywhere in the EU by the end of next year, will offer the same entitlements to free or reduced care as the current series of paper forms.

The new cards would be administered by the prescription pricing authority, which would process applications and distribute the cards, the DoH said.

The agency is one of those set to be axed following the government's review of NHS quangos, with its work to be taken over by a new business services authority that will also subsume the NHS pensions agency, the dental practice board and the NHS counter-fraud and security management authority.

Mr Hutton said: "The government is committed to introducing the new European health card by the end of next year and ensuring that it will be easier to apply for and easier to use.

"Until 31 December 2005 UK citizens can continue to use E111 forms when they travel to any of the EU member states."

Consultation on the introduction of the European card will run to 28 September 2004. A separate consultation is expected on proposals for the NHS smart card later this year.