Healthcare
This page explains what healthcare is available and how you can access it.
You will be able to receive healthcare from the National Health Service (NHS). Some or all of this may be free of charge depending on your residency status.
Permanent residents of the United Kingdom do not have to pay for treatment by a general practitioner (GP) or at a hospital.
Permanent residents on a low income may qualify for extra free healthcare such as NHS prescriptions, dental care, sight tests and vouchers to help you buy glasses. More information is on the Jobcentre Plus website.
If you are a visitor to the United Kingdom or have temporary permission to live here (we call this limited leave to remain), you may be able to register with a GP in your area and receive free treatment. The GP can decide whether or not to register you. You may not be able to receive the full range of hospital treatment, because certain residence requirements must be met in order to qualify for this. This applies even if you are a British citizen or have lived or worked here in the past.
Full details of who qualifies to receive hospital treatment or register with a GP are in the Department of Health's guidance for overseas visitors.
Some health services are free of charge to everyone. These are:
- treatment given in an accident and emergency (A&E) department or in an NHS walk-in centre that provides services similar to those of an A&E department;
- treatment for certain infectious diseases (but for HIV/AIDS only the first diagnosis and counselling that follows it are free);
- compulsory psychiatric treatment; and
- family planning services.
Certain categories of people are able to receive the full range of hospital treatment, including asylum applicants whose application is still being considered, anyone who has lived here legally for the previous 12 months, and diplomatic staff. For the full list, see the Deparment of Health guidance.
A few categories of visitors are able to receive treatment for conditions that occurred after their arrival in the United Kingdom. This includes residents of the European Economic Area, or a country with which the United Kingdom has a bilateral healthcare agreement. The Department of Health leaflet gives more details.
If you are not in one of the categories that are able to receive free treatment, you may be asked to pay for any hospital treatment you receive. You may therefore wish to ensure you have health insurance to cover your stay in the United Kingdom.
In an emergency, you should go to the nearest hospital with an accident and emergency department. If you cannot get there yourself, phone 999 or 112 and ask for an ambulance. These calls are free from any phone, including mobile phones, but must only be used in an emergency.
For more advice and information, see the NHS website or phone NHS Direct on 0845 4647.