British holidaymakers are facing growing healthcare costs abroad - with new NHS figures revealing millions of pounds are being spent on medical treatment across European hotspots.Data from the NHS Business Services Authority, obtained by travel insurance comparison site PayingTooMuch, shows UK holidaymakers racked up £181.7 million in overseas healthcare costs. In 2025 alone, more than 102,000 claims were made using EHIC and GHIC cards, highlighting how often Britons become ill or injured while travelling. Spain recorded the highest number of claims, with 41,454 cases worth £24.1 million, accounting for more than four in ten claims. Poland ranked second - despite being only the ninth most-visited destination for UK travellers.The country recorded 22,249 claims worth £5.3 million, placing it ahead of popular destinations such as France and Italy. Germany, meanwhile, saw 6,559 claims costing £5.2 million, while France recorded 4,085 claims worth £9.3 million.Other countries in the top 10 were: Belgium, with 4,404 claims totalling £2.85 million, Austria, with 4,042 claims (£3.43 million), and The Netherlands, with 2,705 claims (£3.49 million). Spain (pictured, Sanluca) has emerged as the European country with the highest number of medical claims, totalling £24.1 million in 2025 Rounding out the list is Croatia, with 2,605 claims (£775,000), Italy, with 2,351 claims (£2.13 million), and Czechia, with 2,134 claims (£592,000). Although GHIC and EHIC cards provide access to state healthcare in many European countries, treatment is not always free. Travellers may still need to pay upfront, cover prescription costs, or claim expenses back later - and costs can rise quickly, particularly during lengthy hospital stays.Dr John Akinjolire, a GP working with PayingTooMuch, said the figures were not surprising, adding: 'These figures show that healthcare risk doesn’t necessarily follow the popularity of a holiday destination.'Unfortunately, many holidaymakers rarely consider the medical implications of a trip until something goes wrong. By that point, they’re already abroad, already unwell, and already facing unexpected costs that they hadn’t budgeted for.'He said Poland's high ranking may reflect the number of people visiting family, staying for longer periods, or travelling outside traditional holiday patterns, making them more likely to use local healthcare services.The findings come as 1.29 million GHIC cards are due to expire this year, with 62 per cent expiring during the summer months, while a further 157,866 EHIC cards are also set to expire.Dr Akinjolire warned that while GHICs are useful, they should not be relied on alone.Join the discussionShould UK taxpayers have to foot the bill for Britons’ medical costs abroad, or should travellers be forced to pay their own way?What's your view? Poland (pictured, Kraków) ranked second, with 2,249 medical claims worth £5.3 million in 2025 European countries with the highest number and cost of healthcare claims*As revealed by PayingTooMuch, using data from the NHS Business Services Authority COUNTRY1. Spain2. Poland3. Germany4. Belgium5. France6. Austria7. The Netherlands8. Croatia9. Italy10. Czechia TOTAL CLAIMS41,45422,249 6,559 4,404 4,085 4,042 2,705 2,605 2,351 2,134 TOTAL COST (£) £24,107,283.30 £5,352,595.08 £5,228,202.90 £2,852,974.32£9,386,388.87 £3,431,250.56 £3,494,891.01 £774,950.10 £2,128,874.27 £591,504.40 He said: 'A GHIC can help you access state healthcare, but it won’t cover everything or make treatment completely free. 'In some cases, using a GHIC alongside travel insurance may even result in your insurer waiving the excess on your policy when you claim, helping to reduce costs. However, it shouldn’t be relied on as standalone protection.' Hannah Mayfield, travel money expert at PayingTooMuch, added: 'When travelling to Europe, a GHIC is an important card, but it should never be seen as a substitute for travel insurance as the two work together. 'Our findings are a reminder that a medical issue overseas can quickly become stressful and expensive, especially if you miss your planned return to the UK or need repatriating which can run into tens of thousands of pounds depending where you are in the world.'She further noted that travel insurance can help cover medical treatment, prescriptions, additional accommodation, emergency repatriation, holiday cancellations, flight delays, lost baggage and stolen items, including passports. It comes after a Brit was left stranded in Thailand after she fell from a horse and broke her back in three places.Joanna Ingram, 57, jetted off to the southeast Asian country with her husband Stuart, 57, on February 21, 2026, for two weeks of relaxing winter sun.However, the receptionist from Belton, Norfolk, fell off a horse in Krabi on March 8, leaving her with devastating spinal injuries.Joanna was unsure if she would be able to walk again - but thankfully, following emergency surgery in late May, she is set to make a full recovery.However, her travel insurance company, JOURNY, said it won't cover the cost of her medical bills, as they deem horse riding to be a 'high-risk' activity, meaning she racked up a hefty £2,000 bill every day she was in hospital.