NHS 111 can assist if you have an immediate medical issue and you are not sure what to do. To get assist from NHS 111 go to 111. nhs.uk or call 111.
- More information about accessing healthcare services in England
- More info about accessing NHS services in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Using an EHIC in the UK
What you need to do
If you are visiting the UK from an EU nation and you fall ill or have a medical emergency situation during your temporary stay in England, you can use a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) provided by your home country to gain access to healthcare.
You will require to bring your EHIC if you are qualified to use it in the UK.
The EHIC is not an option to travel insurance coverage. It will not cover any private medical healthcare, planned treatment, being flown back home, or lost or taken home. We suggest that you likewise have travel or health insurance that covers the duration of your trip.
Emergency health care in England
This information has to do with getting healthcare in England.
The way you access health care in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland could be various from England.
The NHS operates a residence-based health care system. This implies visitors to England may have to pay for NHS health care, depending upon their scenarios.
Some services, such as mishap and emergency (A&E) and check outs to a basic specialist (GP), are totally free to everyone.
Urgent treatment or treatment that can not securely wait until you leave the country and return home will always be supplied, and the matter of payment handled later on. Only a clinician can decide if your treatment is urgent or right away necessary.
Treatment, protection & costs
General Practice doctors (GPs)
- Medical care services, including treatment by a General Practitioner (GP) is supplied free of charge by National Health Service (NHS) physicians (family doctors - GPs). Find a basic medical professional near you.
Dentists
- All NHS oral treatment that is medically needed is supplied at a standard non-refundable charge. Find a dental practitioner near you.
Hospital treatment (NHS)
- Apart from emergency care, hospital treatment is organized through your medical professional (GP), dental expert or optician. Most treatment at NHS medical facilities is free if you have a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Find a healthcare facility near you.
- As a visitor with a legitimate card you are entitled to all scientifically required state provided medical treatment free of charge. The card does not cover organized treatment.
Prescriptions
- You can get recommended medications from any pharmacy on presentation of a prescription. Find a pharmacy near you.
- Prescribed medicines are charged at a standard non-refundable prescription rate.
Ambulance
- Necessary ambulance transport is free of charge.
Reimbursement
- In the UK, treatment is frequently complimentary of charge, so there is no refund system.
- When standard charges are applied (such as costs for NHS dental experts or prescription charges), these are not refundable in the UK.
- If you have to spend for care, call your nationwide health insurance coverage provider as soon as you return home to seek reimbursement.
Patient contribution
- In the UK, treatment is usually free of charge, however you must reveal your EHIC when accessing healthcare.
Standard charges that should be paid by patients request NHS dental practitioners.
- There is likewise a charge for prescriptions, in England only, which is payable at the drug store. Prescriptions in Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales are totally free of charge.
Dialysis, oxygen & chemotherapy
- Oxygen therapy and dialysis require to be set up with a health care company in advance of your remain in England.
Details of oxygen suppliers in England.
Details of renal dialysis systems
Doctors & medical facilities accepting the EHIC
- Most treatments at NHS healthcare facilities are free if you have a legitimate European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Find a medical facility near you or discover a general medical professional (GP) near you
- More information about accessing NHS services in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Coverage for UK residents going to the EU
If you are visiting an EU Member State from the UK, you can use a UK Global Medical Insurance Card (UK GHIC) or a UK European Medical Insurance Card (UK EHIC) to gain access to medically necessary treatment.
Differences in between the readily available cards
There are 2 kinds of cover readily available for people insured by the UK. You can request either:
- a UK Global Medical Insurance Card (UK GHIC).
- a UK European Medical Insurance Card (UK EHIC), if you have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.
For the majority of people, the UK Global Health Insurance Card (UK GHIC) changes the existing European Medical insurance Card (EHIC) for brand-new applications.
Further information on how to look for an EHIC or GHIC
How to utilize your card
You can use your card to access medically required state-provided health care when you're visiting an EU country.
Medically necessary health care suggests health care that can not fairly wait till you return to the UK. Whether treatment is needed is decided by the doctor in the nation you're checking out.
Further info on countries where your card stands
If you have an existing EHIC
If you have an existing EHIC provided prior to the UK leaving the EU, it will stay valid till the expiry date on the card. You can request a new card as much as 6 months before your current card ends.
