NHS 111 can assist if you have an immediate medical problem and you are uncertain what to do. To get assist from NHS 111 go to 111. nhs.uk or call 111.
- More info about accessing healthcare services in England
- More information 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 throughout your temporary remain in England, you can use a legitimate European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) provided by your home nation to gain access to healthcare.

You will need to bring your EHIC if you are eligible to use it in the UK.

The EHIC is not an option to travel insurance. It will not cover any personal medical healthcare, planned treatment, being flown back home, or lost or taken home. We suggest that you also have travel or medical insurance that covers the duration of your trip.

Emergency health care in England

This information is about getting healthcare in England.

The method you access health care in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland could be various from England.

The NHS runs a residence-based healthcare system. This implies visitors to England might have to spend for NHS healthcare, depending on their scenarios.

Some services, such as mishap and emergency (A&E) and check outs to a basic practitioner (GP), are complimentary to everybody.

Urgent treatment or treatment that can not securely wait till you leave the country and return home will always be supplied, and the matter of payment dealt with later on. Only a can choose if your treatment is immediate or instantly needed.

Treatment, coverage & expenses

General Practice physicians (GPs)

- Primary care services, consisting of treatment by a General Practitioner (GP) is provided free of charge by National Health Service (NHS) doctors (family doctors - GPs). Find a general doctor near you.
Dentists

- All NHS oral treatment that is medically essential is provided at a standard non-refundable charge. Find a dental practitioner near you.
Hospital treatment (NHS)

- Apart from emergency situation care, healthcare facility treatment is arranged through your physician (GP), dental practitioner or optician. Most treatment at NHS medical facilities is complimentary if you have a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Find a hospital near you.
- As a visitor with a valid card you are entitled to all medically needed state provided medical treatment complimentary of charge. The card does not cover scheduled treatment.
Prescriptions

- You can get prescribed medicines from any drug store on discussion of a prescription. Find a pharmacy near you.
- Prescribed medications are charged at a standard non-refundable prescription rate.
Ambulance

- Necessary ambulance transport is complimentary of charge.


Reimbursement

- In the UK, treatment is frequently totally free of charge, so there is no refund system.
- When standard charges are used (such as fees for NHS dentists or prescription charges), these are not refundable in the UK.
- If you need to pay for care, call your national medical insurance company when you return home to look for reimbursement.


Patient contribution

- In the UK, treatment is usually free of charge, but you must reveal your EHIC when accessing healthcare.
Standard charges that need to be paid by clients make an application for NHS dentists.
- There is also a charge for prescriptions, in England just, 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 need to be organized with a health care supplier in advance of your stay in England.
Details of oxygen providers in England.
Details of kidney dialysis systems


Doctors & health centers accepting the EHIC

- Most treatments at NHS medical facilities are free if you have a legitimate European Medical insurance Card (EHIC). Find a healthcare facility near you or find a basic medical professional (GP) near you
- More information about accessing NHS services in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.


Coverage for UK citizens checking out the EU

If you are going to an EU Member State from the UK, you can use a UK Global Medical Insurance Card (UK GHIC) or a UK European Health Insurance Card (UK EHIC) to access clinically needed treatment.

Differences between the offered cards

There are 2 kinds of cover readily available for individuals guaranteed by the UK. You can request either:

- a UK Global Medical Insurance Card (UK GHIC).
- a UK European Health Insurance Card (UK EHIC), if you have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.
For the majority of people, the UK Global Medical Insurance Card (UK GHIC) changes the existing European Medical insurance Card (EHIC) for new applications.

Further details on how to apply for an EHIC or GHIC

How to utilize your card

You can use your card to gain access to medically essential state-provided health care when you're checking out an EU nation.

Medically needed healthcare implies healthcare that can not reasonably wait until you return to the UK. Whether treatment is needed is decided by the health care service provider in the country you're checking out.

Further details on nations where your card is legitimate

If you have an existing EHIC

If you have an existing EHIC provided prior to the UK leaving the EU, it will remain legitimate until the expiry date on the card. You can apply for a brand-new card as much as 6 months before your existing card expires.