Access to healthcare

If you are lawfully living in the UK on a settled basis - known as being ordinarily resident - you are entitled to NHS care on the same basis as UK citizens. This includes:

• Free access to GP services and hospital treatment
• Charges may still apply for prescriptions, dental care, and eye tests (depending on your location in the UK) - Healthcare in the UK | EURAXESS

You may be asked to provide documentation to prove your residency status. 

If you are in the UK on a work or study visa, and have paid the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) as part of your visa application, you are entitled to:

• Free NHS treatment during your stay
• Standard charges for prescriptions (depending on your location in the UK) – Healthcare in the UK | EURAXESS

You should ensure you have all relevant documentation as proof as your status on a work or study visa. 

If you're from the European Economic Area (EEA):

• You may be required to pay for some or all of your medical care. To reduce any potential fees, you should bring your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).
• After Brexit, EHICs are accepted until their expiry. UK residents can apply for the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) instead. 

If you moved to the UK before 31 December 2020, you may be eligible for pre-settled or settled status, which grants NHS access without charge. 

If you're from a country with a reciprocal healthcare agreement (e.g. Australia, New Zealand, Russia), you may be eligible for reduced fees or free treatment. Bring documentation proving your citizenship and agreement eligibility.

If your country does not have a reciprocal agreement, you will need to:

Provide proof of your reason for being in the UK, such as a work or study visa.

Everyone in the UK is entitled to free emergency treatment at:

• GP practices
• Accident & Emergency (A&E) departments
• Urgent Treatment Centres (UTCs)

However, follow-up care as an inpatient or outpatient may be chargeable if you're not ordinarily resident.

If you're staying in the UK for more than 6 months, you must pay the Immigration Health Surcharge when applying for your visa to access NHS services during your stay. 

Some NHS services are free to all, regardless of immigration status:

• Emergency care at A&E
• Family planning services (excluding fertility treatment and termination of pregnancy)
• Treatment for certain infectious diseases (e.g. COVID-19, tuberculosis)
• Compulsory psychiatric treatment

Note: For HIV/AIDS, only the initial consultation and counselling are free

Yes, you can access healthcare through the National Health Service (NHS) while you're in the UK. However, whether your care is free or chargeable depends on your residency status and how long you plan to stay.

You may need to pay for some or all of your care depending on:

• Your immigration status
• Whether you’ve paid the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)
• The type of treatment you need

Eligibility is based on your visa type, length of stay, and whether you’re considered “ordinarily resident” in the UK. You can check your entitlement through official NHS guidance or speak with your GP practice once you arrive.

How to access NHS services in England if you are visiting from abroad - NHS