Tessa Quinn
The UK's public healthcare provider, the NHS, provides “free” healthcare to UK residents at the point of service. However, residents pay for these services through taxation. Each resident contributes to healthcare funding based on their income, and these payments are automatically deducted from their salaries. While some services are universally free, including A&E and GP services, others, such as dentistry and prescriptions, incur charges. For non-residents, the availability of free NHS treatment depends on factors such as the length of stay, nationality, and possession of a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Visitors from outside the EU are typically required to pay an immigration health surcharge as part of their visa application to access NHS services.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who is entitled to free hospital stays in the UK? | People who are "ordinarily resident" in the UK, including those with indefinite leave to remain or status under the EU Settlement Scheme. |
| What if you are a visitor to the UK? | Visitors from the EU, EEA, and Switzerland can use their EHIC, PRC, or S2 to access free NHS treatment. Visitors from Norway can use their Norwegian passport. |
| What if you are a former UK resident? | Former UK residents from the EU can use their EHIC, PRC, or S2. Otherwise, visitors staying less than six months should have personal medical insurance. |
| What if you are a short-term visitor or tourist? | Short-term visitors and tourists are likely to pay a fee or surcharge for using NHS services and should have appropriate health insurance. |
| What if you are a UK national living in the EU or certain other countries? | UK nationals who moved to Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, or Switzerland on or before 31 December 2020 can access NHS care when visiting the UK using an EHIC or PRC. |
| What if you are a member of the armed forces? | Members of Her Majesty's Armed Forces, NATO personnel, and their spouses and children under 18 are exempt from paying for NHS healthcare. |
| Are there any other exemptions? | Yes, certain services like A&E treatment, GP services, and COVID-19 testing are free for all. |
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What You'll Learn
UK residents are entitled to free hospital stays
In the UK, residents are entitled to free hospital stays. The NHS (National Health Service) is the public healthcare provider in the UK. UK residents can access NHS services for free, although certain exclusions apply. For example, dentistry and prescriptions in England are not free.
To be considered an 'ordinarily resident' person in the UK and be entitled to free hospital treatment, you must be living in the UK on a lawful and properly settled basis. You may be asked to prove this. You cannot be considered ordinarily resident in the UK unless you have indefinite leave to remain or status under the EU Settlement Scheme. Those who are not ordinarily resident in the UK, including former UK residents, are overseas visitors and may be charged for NHS services.
If you are planning on staying in the UK for more than six months, you will have to pay an immigration health surcharge (IHS) as part of your visa application process. The full amount should be paid upfront to cover you for the duration of your visa. After you've paid the IHS, this will cover your healthcare costs with the NHS. You'll be able to access the service in the same way as permanent UK residents and receive free treatment.
If you are visiting the UK for less than six months, you will have to pay a fee for using NHS services. If you need NHS hospital treatment during your stay, you will be charged 150% of the standard NHS rate, although this charge may vary if an exemption category applies to you or the treatment. There are certain services and treatments carried out by the NHS that will always be free, no matter what your immigration status is. Treatment in A&E departments and at GP surgeries remains free for all. There are also exemptions in place to protect the most vulnerable in society and for key services essential to public health.
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Visitors from the EU can use their EHIC, PRC or S2
If you are a visitor from an EU country and fall ill or have a medical emergency during your temporary stay in England, you can use your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). The EHIC will cover you for treatment that becomes medically necessary during your visit to England, until you return to your country. It also covers you for the treatment of pre-existing medical conditions and routine maternity care, providing the reason for your visit is not specifically to give birth or receive treatment.
An EHIC is not an alternative to travel insurance, and it is always advised that visitors should have both when travelling to the UK. An EHIC will not cover any private medical healthcare, repatriation, or lost or stolen property. Planned treatment is not covered by the EHIC.
If you are a UK national who moved to an EU country, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland before 31 December 2020, you can continue to use your EHIC or a PRC in the UK. If you don't have valid documentation, you'll be charged for treatment.
If you are a visitor from the EU, you will need to arrange an S2 form from the relevant organisation in your home country before travelling to England. The S2 only relates to state-provided treatment, and you will not be required to pay anything yourself, except any mandatory patient contributions that patients in England would have to pay, such as prescription costs.
If you are a resident of Iceland, Norway or Liechtenstein and you requested authorisation from the relevant health authority in your home country for planned treatment in the UK on or before 31 December 2020, you can complete that treatment in the UK using an S2 form.
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Visitors from Norway can use their passport
In the UK, hospital treatment is typically free for those who are 'ordinarily resident', which refers to individuals living in the UK on a lawful and properly settled basis. This status is not dependent on nationality, payment of UK taxes, National Insurance contributions, or property ownership in the UK.
However, for visitors from Norway, the situation is a bit different. If you are a visitor from Norway and need medically necessary healthcare during your stay in the UK, you can use your Norwegian passport to access this care. This is because Norway is part of the Schengen area, which has certain agreements in place regarding travel and healthcare. It's important to note that this only applies to visitors and not to those who are ordinarily resident in the UK.
When travelling to the UK from Norway, it is recommended that you carry a valid passport or a national ID card if you're travelling within the Schengen area. Your passport must meet specific requirements, including having a 'date of issue' less than ten years before your arrival date and an 'expiry date' at least three months after your planned departure from the Schengen area. These requirements are subject to change, so it's always good to check with official sources for the most up-to-date information.
If you are a visitor from Norway and need medical assistance during your stay in the UK, you can access NHS services by presenting your Norwegian passport. This will allow you to receive medically necessary healthcare. It's important to note that this may not cover all types of treatment, and having travel insurance is always recommended when travelling to the UK.
If you are in need of urgent medical help or advice, you can call NHS 111 or visit a walk-in centre, minor injuries unit, or urgent treatment centre. For non-urgent matters, you can make an appointment with a General Practitioner (GP). It is recommended to have both a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC) and travel insurance when travelling to the UK to ensure you are covered for any necessary healthcare.
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Those not ordinarily resident in the UK may be charged
In the UK, hospital treatment is generally free for people considered 'ordinarily resident'. This status is not dependent on nationality, payment of UK taxes, National Insurance contributions, being registered with a GP, having an NHS number, or owning property in the UK. Instead, it is based on whether an individual is living in the UK on a lawful and properly settled basis. Those who are not 'ordinarily resident' in the UK, including former UK residents, are classified as overseas visitors and may be charged for NHS services.
If you are visiting the UK for less than six months, you will likely need to pay a fee for using NHS services. It is recommended that you have appropriate health insurance to cover the costs of any treatment you may require during your stay. In the case of an emergency, treatment in A&E departments remains free for all. Urgent or immediately necessary treatment will always be provided, regardless of an individual's ability or willingness to pay.
For those planning to stay in the UK for more than six months, an immigration health surcharge (IHS) must be paid as part of the visa application process. This surcharge covers healthcare costs with the NHS, allowing individuals to access services in the same way as permanent UK residents. However, certain services, such as dentistry, prescriptions, and assisted conception services, are excluded and will incur additional charges.
There are certain exemptions to the IHS. For example, individuals with indefinite leave to remain in the UK, diplomats posted to the UK, and dependents of members of the armed forces are not required to pay the surcharge. Additionally, visitors from the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, or Switzerland may be exempt from charges under reciprocal healthcare arrangements.
It is important to note that the rules regarding NHS entitlements for migrants may vary in different parts of the UK, such as Wales, Northern Ireland, or Scotland.
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Immigrants and short-term visitors will likely pay a surcharge
The UK's National Health Service (NHS) is a residency-based system, meaning that free hospital treatment is provided based on someone being 'ordinarily resident' in the UK. Ordinarily, residence is not dependent on nationality, payment of UK taxes, National Insurance contributions, being registered with a GP, having an NHS number, or owning property in the UK.
Those who are not ordinarily resident in the UK, including former UK residents, are considered overseas visitors and may be charged for NHS services. However, there are exemptions in place to protect the most vulnerable in society and for key services essential to public health. For example, treatment in Accident and Emergency (A&E) departments and at General Practitioner (GP) surgeries remains free for all.
If you are visiting England for less than six months, you should ensure you are covered for healthcare through personal medical insurance during your visit, even if you are a former UK resident. If you are not ordinarily resident in the UK and you need to pay for NHS hospital treatment, you will be charged at 150% of the national NHS rate.
If you are applying for a visa or immigration application, you usually need to pay the healthcare surcharge. This is mandatory when making an immigration application, subject to exemptions for certain categories of people, such as those applying for indefinite leave to enter or remain, and the discretion of the Home Secretary to reduce, waive, or refund all or part of the surcharge payment.
Payment of the immigration health surcharge entitles the payer to NHS-funded healthcare on the same basis as someone who is ordinarily resident, from the date their visa is granted and for as long as it remains valid. They are entitled to free NHS services, including NHS hospital care, except for services that a UK ordinary resident must also pay for, such as dentistry and prescriptions in England, and assisted conception services.
Some visitors to England do not have to pay for NHS hospital treatment because they are within one of the exemption categories. The exemption categories only apply to people who are not ordinarily resident in the UK. People covered by the immigration health surcharge and some visitors from the European Economic Area (EEA) countries and Switzerland may also be exempt from charges for NHS healthcare. Visitors from non-EU countries that have a reciprocal healthcare arrangement with the UK may be covered for some treatment needs.
Additionally, visitors from the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, or Switzerland with a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) issued by their home country can access medically necessary healthcare during a temporary visit to England. An EHIC will not cover any private medical healthcare, being flown back home, or lost or stolen property. Planned treatment is not covered by the EHIC, and an S2 form is required for this.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, hospital stays are free for UK residents. UK residents pay for healthcare services via taxation. However, certain services like dentistry and prescriptions are not free and require payment.
Hospital stays are not free for non-UK residents. Non-UK residents are required to pay a fee or surcharge when using the NHS. Non-UK residents are advised to have appropriate health insurance to cover the costs of any treatment during their visit.
If you are not ordinarily resident in the UK and need to pay for NHS hospital treatment, you will be charged 150% of the national NHS rate.
