NHS 111 can assist if you have an immediate medical problem and you are unsure what to do. To get help from NHS 111 go to 111. nhs.uk or call 111.

- More details about accessing health care services in England

- More details about accessing NHS services in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Using an EHIC in the UK

What you require to do

If you are checking out the UK from an EU country and you fall ill or have a medical emergency situation throughout your short-lived stay in England, you can use a legitimate European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) provided by your home nation to access health care.

You will need to bring your EHIC if you are qualified to utilize it in the UK.

The EHIC is not an option to travel insurance coverage. It will not cover any private medical healthcare, prepared treatment, being flown back home, or lost or stolen property. We advise that you also have travel or medical insurance that covers the period of your journey.

Emergency healthcare in England

This info is about getting healthcare in England.

The way you access healthcare in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland could be different from England.

The NHS runs a residence-based healthcare system. This suggests visitors to England may need to spend for NHS healthcare, depending on their scenarios.

Some services, such as mishap and emergency (A&E) and sees to a family doctor (GP), are free to everyone.

Urgent treatment or treatment that can not securely wait until you leave the country and return home will always be offered, and the matter of payment dealt with later. Only a clinician can decide if your treatment is urgent or right away essential.

Treatment, coverage & costs

General Practice doctors (GPs)

- Medical care services, including treatment by a General Practitioner (GP) is offered totally free of charge by National Health Service (NHS) medical professionals (family doctors - GPs). Find a basic medical professional near you.


Dentists

- All NHS dental treatment that is medically needed is supplied at a basic non-refundable charge. Find a dental expert near you.


Hospital treatment (NHS)

- Apart from emergency care, medical facility treatment is set up through your physician (GP), dentist or optician. Most treatment at NHS health centers is totally free if you have a legitimate European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Find a health center near you.

- As a visitor with a legitimate card you are entitled to all scientifically essential state supplied medical treatment totally free of charge. The card does not cover planned treatment.


Prescriptions

- You can get prescribed medications from any drug store on discussion of a prescription. Find a drug store near you.

- Prescribed medicines are charged at a standard non-refundable prescription rate.


Ambulance

- Necessary ambulance transportation is free of charge.

Reimbursement

- In the UK, treatment is usually free of charge, so there is no refund system.

- When basic charges are used (such as costs for NHS dentists or prescription charges), these are not refundable in the UK.

- If you have to spend for care, contact your nationwide health insurance company when you return home to seek repayment.

Patient contribution

- In the UK, treatment is usually free of charge, however you must reveal your EHIC when accessing health care.

Standard charges that should be paid by patients request NHS dental experts.

- There is also 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 treatment and dialysis need to be arranged with a health care supplier in advance of your stay in England.

Details of oxygen providers in England.

Details of kidney dialysis units

Doctors & health centers accepting the EHIC

- Most treatments at NHS health centers are free if you have a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Find a hospital near you or discover a general doctor (GP) near you

- More information about accessing NHS services in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Coverage for UK locals 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 Medical Insurance Card (UK EHIC) to access medically essential treatment.

Differences in between the readily available cards

There are 2 types of cover offered for individuals guaranteed by the UK. You can make an application for either:

- a UK Global Health Insurance Card (UK GHIC).

- a UK European Medical Insurance Card (UK EHIC), if you have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.


For many people, the UK Global Medical Insurance Card (UK GHIC) changes the existing European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for brand-new applications.

Further details on how to obtain an EHIC or GHIC

How to utilize your card

You can utilize your card to gain access to medically essential state-provided healthcare when you're checking out an EU country.

Medically essential healthcare indicates health care that can not fairly wait up until you come back to the UK. Whether treatment is necessary is decided by the healthcare provider in the country you're going to.

Further information on countries where your card is valid

If you have an existing EHIC

If you have an existing EHIC provided prior to the UK leaving the EU, it will remain valid till the expiration date on the card. You can obtain a brand-new card approximately 6 months before your current card expires.